v14i2.367
Volume 14 | Number 2 | November 2025
Major Article
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.367
Submitted date: 14 March 2025
Accepted date: 30 June 2025
Published date: 5 August 2025
Pp. 158–165.
A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS Smithophis GIRI, GOWER, DAS ET AL., 2019 (REPTILIA: SERPENTES: NATRICIDAE) FROM MIZORAM, NORTHEAST INDIA
Lal Muansanga, Jayaditya Purkayastha*, Vanlal Hruaia, Mathipi Vabeiryureilai, Lal Biakzuala, Ht Decemson, Hmar T. Lalremsanga & Sanath C. Bohra
*Corresponding author. E-mail: mail.jayaditya@gmail.com
Abstract
Based on two specimens, we describe a new species of snake in the genus Smithophis from Mizoram, as determined through detailed morphological and molecular analyses of the cytochrome b mitochondrial gene. The new species genetically forms a sister taxon to the clade containing S. atemporalis, S. bicolor, and S. mizoramensis, with a strong nodal branch support along with a deep level of genetic divergence. The species can be easily distinguished from its congeners by several morphological and colouration characters, including the presence of distinct, narrow, and incomplete transverse bands in the dorsum. Our study also precisely determines the distribution of S. bicolor, restricting its range to Meghalaya and removing it from the faunal list of Mizoram.
Section Editor: Ivan Ineich
LSID:urn:lsid:zoobank.org
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v14i2.367
Submitted date: 14 March 2025
Accepted date: 30 June 2025
Published date: 5 August 2025
Pp. 158–165.
A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS Smithophis GIRI, GOWER, DAS ET AL., 2019 (REPTILIA: SERPENTES: NATRICIDAE) FROM MIZORAM, NORTHEAST INDIA
Lal Muansanga, Jayaditya Purkayastha*, Vanlal Hruaia, Mathipi Vabeiryureilai, Lal Biakzuala, Ht Decemson, Hmar T. Lalremsanga & Sanath C. Bohra
*Corresponding author. E-mail: mail.jayaditya@gmail.com
Abstract
Based on two specimens, we describe a new species of snake in the genus Smithophis from Mizoram, as determined through detailed morphological and molecular analyses of the cytochrome b mitochondrial gene. The new species genetically forms a sister taxon to the clade containing S. atemporalis, S. bicolor, and S. mizoramensis, with a strong nodal branch support along with a deep level of genetic divergence. The species can be easily distinguished from its congeners by several morphological and colouration characters, including the presence of distinct, narrow, and incomplete transverse bands in the dorsum. Our study also precisely determines the distribution of S. bicolor, restricting its range to Meghalaya and removing it from the faunal list of Mizoram.
Section Editor: Ivan Ineich
LSID:urn:lsid:zoobank.org
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