Aizawl: Researchers in Mizoram have unearthed a new species of rain snake, a discovery that solidifies the state’s reputation as a critical biodiversity hotspot.
A team from Mizoram University, working in tandem with the conservation group Help Earth, has documented the narrow-banded rain snake, or Smithophis leptofasciatus, a previously unknown species found slithering through the state’s tropical montane forests. The study, which details the find in Taprobanica: The Journal of Asian Biodiversity, is based on extensive morphological and molecular analysis. It confirms that the newly described snake is distinct from its closest relatives, including what was once thought to be Smithophis bicolor in the region.
The snake’s appearance is its most telling feature: a glossy black body adorned with slim, incomplete, creamish-white or yellowish-lime bands. According to the research, it thrives in the humid, shaded environments near small streams, preferring altitudes between 900 and 1,200 meters. Field observations during the monsoon season revealed its semi-aquatic and nocturnal nature. The discovery also includes a rare glimpse into the snake’s reproductive habits, as a female in captivity laid six eggs.
“This species not only adds to the growing diversity within Smithophis, but also redefines the distribution of previously known species,” explained Dr. Jayaditya Purkayastha, one of the corresponding authors. The researchers have also given the snake a Mizo name, “Ruahrul,” which acknowledges its local significance, while its scientific name, leptofasciatus, is a nod to its distinctive narrow bands. This is the third species of Smithophis to be found in Mizoram, underscoring the state’s key role in the evolution of this genus.
Dr. H.T. Lalremsanga, a co-author and head of the Developmental Biology & Herpetology Lab at Mizoram University, noted that “Mizoram clearly plays a central role in the evolution and diversification of this genus.” Given its limited range and reliance on forest habitats, the study advises further research to protect the narrow-banded rain snake from potential threats like habitat degradation.
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