Guwahati: A team of researchers and reptile enthusiasts from Germany and India has discovered a new species of snake in Mizoram. The semi-aquatic, nocturnal snake, which thrives in mountain streams, has been named Smithophis mizoramensis after the state where it was found.
The discovery was made by a collaborative team that included Zeeshan A. Mirza from the Max Planck Institute for Biology in Tübingen, Germany; H. T. Lalremsanga, Mathipi Vabeiryureilai, and Virender Bhardwaj from Mizoram University; J. C. Lalmuanawma from the Mizoram Zoological Society; Harshil Patel from the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation; and Ashok Captain, Girish Choure, and Akshay Zagade from Pune, Maharashtra.
The initial finding of the snake was made by J. C. Lalmuanawma and H. T. Lalremsanga in 2021, with additional specimens discovered later that year by reptile enthusiasts Girish Choure and Akshay Zagade. The specimens were then examined by Lalremsanga and his team, who generated DNA sequences and shared them with Zeeshan A. Mirza.
Mirza’s preliminary analysis suggested the species was unique, prompting him to visit Mizoram University for further examination. Together with Virender Bhardwaj, Mirza compared the specimens with those in the collections of the Bombay Natural History Society and other museums, confirming the distinctiveness of the species. The findings, with contributions from herpetologist Ashok Captain and Harshil Patel, were subsequently published in the international journal Diversity.
“This is the first snake to be named after Mizoram,” the researchers said in a statement, highlighting the state’s rich herpetological diversity. The newly discovered snake has been given the English common name “Mizo Brook Snake” and the Mizo name “Tuithiangrul.”
The Smithophis genus, to which this new species belongs, is known for its patchy distribution across Northeast India and the Indo-Burma region. Currently, four species of this genus are known in India, with three of them, including the newly discovered Smithophis mizoramensis, reported from Mizoram.
The snake was found in riparian habitats, living close to small, pristine hill streams at elevations above 700 meters. It is primarily active during the monsoon season and was observed feeding on earthworms in captivity. However, much remains to be learned about the species’ biology.
Mizoram, located south of the Brahmaputra River and forming part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, remains largely forested. The discovery of Smithophis mizoramensis underscores the importance of documenting reptile fauna in this under-explored region.
The researchers suggest that due to the limited information available on the species, it may currently be considered “Data Deficient” under the criteria for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. They also emphasized the need for ongoing research and exploration in the Indo-Burma region, where numerous new species of snakes and lizards have been described in recent years.
Also Read: Rs 348.24 crore sanctioned for relief camps: Manipur CM Biren Singh