Discovery of a New Snake Species: Trachischium lalremsangai
The jungles of Mizoram, India, and neighboring Myanmar have revealed a new snake species, Trachischium lalremsangai. This species has been documented in the international Herpetozoa journal by a group of four scientists from Mizoram University and the Max Planck Institute for Biology in Germany.
Naming and Significance
- The snake is named after Hmar Tlawmte Lalremsanga, a Zoology professor at Mizoram University, in recognition of his significant contributions to herpetology in India.
- This naming honors his role in mentoring students and facilitating research collaborations within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.
Biodiversity Hotspot
The Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot covers approximately 2.4 million square kilometers, including northeastern India south of the Brahmaputra River, parts of Bangladesh, China, Malaysia, and all of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Research and Discovery
- The new species, belonging to the genus Trachischium, was described based on two specimens.
- The first specimen was found during an expedition to Murlen National Park in Mizoram, near the 510-km border with Myanmar.
- DNA sequencing confirmed its distinctiveness, showing differences in scale and belly color compared to related species.
Second Specimen Observation
- The second specimen was discovered in the California Academy of Sciences' collections, collected from Haka Township, Myanmar, in 2007.
- Initially identified as Trachischium reticulata, it showed affinity to the specimen from Murlen National Park.
Characteristics of Trachischium Snakes
- Commonly known as slender snakes or worm-eating snakes, these species are small and primarily live underground.
- They feed mainly on earthworms and much about their biology is yet to be discovered due to their subterranean lifestyle.
Trachischium lalremsangai is the eleventh species of its kind found across the northeastern region and throughout the Himalayas, contributing to the understanding of biodiversity in these areas.
