Serpent (Illustration) -
SOLENT NEWS / SIPA
While conducting a study in Bac Mê district (Vietnam), scientists discovered a new species of snake.
From the
Achalinus
family
, this specimen does not correspond to any snake description recorded so far, reports
Sciences et Avenir
.
To be sure of themselves, researchers specializing in herpetology (research on amphibians and reptiles) have carried out genetic analyzes and morphological observations on this snake.
Their findings were published on December 7 in the scientific journal
BioOne
.
#Vietnam 🇻🇳
Here is an iridescent snake with reflective scales found in the north of the country in 2019. This new species was called Achalinus zugorum 🐍🌿
Photo credit: SMS / CVN pic.twitter.com/7SBc71XjTt
- Asia History (@AsieHistoire) December 14, 2020
Data still missing
The result of their work is clear: this is a new species of
Achalinus
snake
.
It is in addition to the 13 species of this family already discovered and described so far.
The new specimen was named
Achalinus zugorum
, in honor of a couple of herpetological researchers, George and Patricia Zug.
This specimen is notably recognizable thanks to its 28 teeth of identical size and its elliptical dorsal scales.
On the other hand, its behavior, its diet or the ecology of this species remain unknown.
Studies will be carried out to try to find out more about this snake and to assess whether it is an endangered species.
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