Researchers from the Department of Zoology, Mizoram University have discovered a new species of coral snake in the state.
Key points
- The new species was unveiled in a paper titled ‘Re-evaluation of the systematics of two sympatric coral snakes (Reptilia: Elapidae)’ published in the British science journal, Systematics & Biodiversity (Taylor & Francis Group) on 10 January 2024.
Coral snake Sinomicurus gorei
- It is named Cynomicurus gorei after the British Indian doctor Gore.
- It is locally known as “Rul Thi Hna”.
- It is very similar to the traditional amber ‘Thi Hna’ of Mizo culture.
- A total of 9 species of Sinomicurus coral snakes have been discovered in the world.
- Of these, only one species named Sinomicurus mcclellandi is found in North-East India.
- It has unique patterns and different scales, hemipenis, DNA and skull.
- Until this research, Sinomicurus gorei was considered to be the same species as Sinomicurus mcclellandi due to their close similarity.
- Cynomichurus mcclellandi can lay 6-14 eggs at a time, while Cynomichurus gorei lays up to three eggs.
- Sinomicurus mcclellandi is found mainly in high hilly areas, while Sinomicurus gorei is found in low hilly areas.