Aizawl: A team of researchers from Mizoram University and Guwahati-based biodiversity conservation group, Help Earth, has recorded a new species of rain snake from an elevated tropical forest in Mizoram.
The rare species of rain snake has been discovered in the montane forests of Mizoram.
Named Smithophis leptofasciatus, or the narrow-banded rain snake, this striking reptile features glossy black scales and incomplete yellow bands.
The study, published in the latest issue of Taprobanica: The Journal of Asian Biodiversity, describes the new species as Smithophis leptofasciatus sp. nov.—commonly referred to as the narrow-banded rain snake.
These striking patterns, along with its genetic distinctiveness, set it apart from other species in the Smithophis genus.
The species was described based on live sightings and two collected specimens.
The scientific name “leptofasciatus” combines Greek and Latin roots meaning “narrow-banded,” reflecting the snake’s appearance.
The researchers also proposed a local name, “Ruahrul” in the Mizo language, linking the find to the region’s cultural identity.
The narrow-banded rain snake is the third species in the genus Smithophis to have been recorded from the northeastern state.
“This species not only adds to the growing diversity within Smithophis, but also redefines the distribution of previously known species,” said Dr. Jayaditya Purkayastha, one of the corresponding authors.
He added, “Our study confirms that what was previously identified as Smithophis bicolor from Mizoram is, in fact, a genetically and morphologically distinct species.”
This new species thrives in cool, shaded montane forests close to freshwater streams, typically at elevations between 900 and 1,200 metres above sea level. It is a nocturnal and semi-aquatic species, most commonly spotted during the monsoon season.
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Its discovery reinforces Mizoram’s status as a biodiversity hotspot and underscores the urgent need for conservation in the region’s fragile forest ecosystems.
