New snake species found in northern Western Ghats

A new species of snake has been identified from the northern Western Ghats by researchers. The snake, which is said to be the fourth species in the genus Melanophidium has been named after a city-based herpetologist. "We have been working on this for the past 15 years.

The snake has been named Melanophidium Khairei after Neelimkumar Khaire. Back then, Dr David Gower from the Natural History Museum in London realised that a specimen from Bombay Natural History Society, which was considered to be Melanophidium punctatum was actually different from the type specimen. Therefore, we started our work along with him," informed Dr Varad Giri, a researcher from Bangalore's National Centre for Biological Sciences. Other researchers who worked with them are Dr Mark Wilkinson from the Natural History Museum of London and Ashok Captain, a herpetologist from the city.

The new species named khairei is different from punctatum in terms of the scales on the tail and stomach and they differ even in their distribution. While punctatum is found in the south of Palghat Gap in Kerala, khairei is found in the northern Western Ghats in Radhagiri, Amboli and the surrounding areas of Maharashtra and Goa, among other places. "We have named him after Neelimkumar Khaire to honour his contribution in snake research and conservation," added Dr Giri.=READ MORE =http://www.punemirror.in/pune/others/New-snake-species-found-in-northern-Western-Ghats/articleshow/51261498.cms