New snake species found in Mizoram
- Jul 07, 2021,
- Updated Jul 07, 2021, 12:21 AM IST
AIZAWL: Researchers in Mizoram have identified a new non-venomous snake species called Stoliczkia vanhnuailianai, with the local name "Rulphusin" meaning "snake with little scales."
The snake is approximately 50 cm long.
It is identified as a member of the genus Stoliczkia by different scale arrangements on the posterior of the head, and scales on the body are separated by scaleless skin, according to officials, and it differs in body and head scalation from the two known congeners.
This is the genus Stoliczkia's third specimen from India, and the genus's sixth specimen overall. A revised key to the identification of Stoliczkia species is provided.
The Researcher named it Stoliczkia vanhnuailianai, in honour of Vanhnuailiana, a famous Mizo warrior. it has also been given a common name ‘Lushai hills dragon snake’
It was found in Phulpui area, Mizoram during an expedition.
It was first sent to Mizoram University's Systematics and Toxilogy Laboratory, where it was initially thought to be the rare Stoliczkia khasiensis, but was then taken to the Zoological Survey of India in Kolkata and the Natural History Museum in London for more precise identification.
The snake was later found to be distinct from Stoliczkia khasiensis, and it was designated as a new species.
It belongs to the genus Stoliczkia. Zootaxa, a peer-reviewed scientific mega journal for animal taxonomists, released the findings today.
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The stoliczkia genus species has three sub species - Stoliczkia khasiensis, Stoliczkia borneensis and newly found stoliczkia vanhnuailianai. These species are believed to be one of the rarest snake in the world.
Stoliczkia borneensis is only found in Borneo Island, Indonesia and there is only 3 specimen in the world kept in the museum.
Apart from this, there are only 2 Stoliczkia khasiensis specimen in the world kept in the museum. The latest stoliczkia vanhnuailianai species is only found in Mizoram.
Samuel Lalronunga, K. Lalhmanghiha, Isaac Zosangliana, Esther Lalhmingliani, David J Gower, Abhijit Das and V.Deepak were part of the research team.