New snake species discovered in Myanmar 

By Admin 23 Oct 2023

DMG Newsroom
23 October 2023, Sittwe
 
A previously unrecorded species of snake from the Trimeresurus group has been documented in Myanmar for the first time globally, according to the Native Species Conservation and Identification in Myanmar organisation. 

The newly discovered species has been named Trimeresurus uetzi sp.nov and was discovered in Pakokku and Gangaw townships in Magway Region, central Myanmar. 

The announcement was made by Native Species Conservation and Identification in Myanmar on October 20. The new species was first discovered by Vietnamese citizen Tan Van Nguyen in 2008 and, following 15 years of research, has now been officially recognised as a newly classified species. 

According to research conducted by Native Species Conservation and Identification in Myanmar, the new Trimeresurus species is among the venomous snake species in Myanmar. 

“This species is not in danger of extinction. There are still thousands of them. Myanmar is home to several Trimeresurus varieties closely resembling this newly discovered species. This species is one such variation,” said Native Species Conservation and Identification in Myanmar official Ko Win Paing Oo. 

The recently discovered Trimeresurus species exhibits distinctive characteristics, with males having a white line both in front of and behind the eye, bronze-coloured irises, and females featuring a gold-green iris.  

Trimeresurus uetzi sp.nov shares similarities with the White-lipped Pit Viper (Trimeresurus albolabris), a species commonly found in Myanmar. However, it was classified as a new species due to a distinct feature: the length of the male snake’s reproductive organ is shorter compared with other species. 

“The discovery of the new species Trimeresurus uetzi and the reclassification of the similar Trimeresurus albolabris can be seen as a significant step in addressing the species confusion that scientists have grappled with for many years,” said Ko Tun Mya Win, an official from Wildlife of Myanmar (WOM).