Latest news with #JayadityaPurkayastha
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
Creature found as roadkill identified as footlong new species in India. See it
From sharp-toothed sharks to spiders a bit too large for comfort, some animals have earned a scary and intimidating reputation. Snakes are a central part of this group of animal villains, but while boa constrictors or venomous rattlesnakes have earned it, not all snakes warrant a fight-or-flight response. In the lush forests of Mizoram, India, a newly discovered species was described as 'timid' and 'gentle,' and even chose to keep its mouth shut when being handled, researchers said, in a study published Aug. 5 in the peer-reviewed journal Taprobanica. Smithophis leptofasciatus, or the narrow-banded rain snake, was discovered in and around small streams as well as under the leaf litter, rocks and decaying logs on the forest floor, according to the study. While two of the snakes were found living, a third was found as roadkill in the area, and five others were spotted but not collected for the study, researchers said. The narrow-banded rain snake is considered 'small' for its group, though it can measure more than 16 inches long, according to the study. Its coloration is described as a 'shiny dark or a black background intermixed with distinct, narrow and creamish-white or yellowish-lime transverse bands' that are narrow and encircle the body in incomplete bands, researchers said. The snake's head is 'elongated' and 'moderately large' in proportion to its body, with a large and broad snout, according to the study. The eyes are also considered 'moderately large.' The species name, leptofasciatus, is derived from the Greek word 'leptos' and Latin word 'fasciatus' and means 'narrow banded,' referring to the snake's pattern, researchers said. Researchers found the snakes both near and in the water of the streams, suggesting they are at least semiaquatic. The new species is also nocturnal, according to the study. 'All handled specimens were very timid, gentle, showing no inclination to bite when handled,' researchers said. 'In captivity individuals voraciously fed on earthworms.' Researchers also found the brood of a female and noted white, oval and 'leathery' eggs, according to the study. The new species was previously considered part of another known species, Smithophis bicolor, which is found in the Meghalaya region of India. However, recent studies have shown genetic differences between the snakes found there and the ones identified in Mizoram, meaning geographical separation has led to distinct lineages, according to the study. Mizoram is in northeastern India, west of the border with Myanmar. The research team includes Lal Muansanga, Jayaditya Purkayastha, Vanlal Hruaia, Mathipi Vabeiryureilai, Lal Biakzuala, Ht Decemson, Hmar T. Lalremsanga and Sanath C. Bohra.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
New species of rain snake recorded in Mizoram
GUWAHATI A team of researchers from Mizoram University and Guwahati-based biodiversity conservation group Help Earth have recorded a new species of rain snake from an elevated tropical forest in Mizoram. The narrow-banded rain snake (Smithophis leptofasciatus) has been described in the latest issue of Taprobanica: The Journal of Asian Biodiversity. The authors of the study — Lal Muansanga, Jayaditya Purkayastha, Vanlal Hruaia, Mathipi Vabeiryureilai, Lal Biakzuala, Ht Decemson, Hmar T. Lalremsanga, and Sanath C. Bohra — proposed 'Ruahrul' as the new-to-science snake's Mizo name. Rain snakes are so named because they become more active and visible during the rainy season. The authors said the description was based on detailed morphological and molecular analyses of two collected specimens, along with observations of several live individuals. The new species is distinguished by its narrow, incomplete creamish-white or yellowish-lime transverse bands on a shiny black body — features that set it apart from its close relatives. 'Our study confirmed that this snake, previously identified as Smithophis bicolor, is a genetically and morphologically distinct species. It not only adds to the growing diversity within the genus Smithophis, but also redefines the distribution of previously known species,' Dr. Purkayastha, one of the corresponding authors, said. The species name leptofasciatus is a Greek and Latin hybrid, meaning 'narrow-banded', referencing the snake's distinctive dorsal markings. The narrow-banded rain snake was found inhabiting humid, shaded microhabitats near small streams in forests between 900 and 1,200 meters above sea level. Its semi-aquatic, nocturnal lifestyle was revealed through field observations during the monsoon. A gravid female observed in captivity laid six eggs, providing rare reproductive data for this elusive group. This is the third Smithophis species to be described from Mizoram after the Smithophis atemporalis and the Smithophis mizoramensis. 'The new species reinforces Mizoram's importance as a biodiversity hotspot. The State plays a central role in the evolution and diversification of this genus,' said Dr. Lalremsanga, the co-author and head of the Developmental Biology and Herpetology Lab at Mizoram University. The study recommended additional surveys and habitat assessments, as the narrow range and forest dependency of the narrow-banded rain snake suggest it may be vulnerable to habitat degradation.
Miami Herald
22-07-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Clawed creature with ‘bent' toes found along road in India. It's a new species
Along a narrow mountain road snaking through the Himalayas, a clawed creature with 'bent' toes moved along the ground. Its coppery eyes scanned the charred landscape, but it wasn't the only one looking around. Visiting scientists noticed the patterned animal — and discovered a new species. A team of researchers ventured into the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, India, in May 2024 to survey its reptiles and amphibians. The state sits in the western Himalayas, a 'known biodiversity hotspot' with some 'less well-investigated' areas, according to a study published July 22 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. During their surveys, researchers stopped on a road at the 'outskirts' of a village and found four unfamiliar-looking lizards, the study said. Intrigued, they took a closer look at the animals, analyzed its DNA and realized they'd identified a new species: Cyrtodactylus himachalensis, or the Himachal bent-toed gecko. Himachal bent-toed geckos are considered 'medium-sized,' reaching over 4 inches in length, the study said. They have 'slender' limbs and 'relatively short' arms. Their fingers and toes are 'short,' 'strongly flexed at (the) joints' and 'equipped with robust recurved claws.' Photos show the new species' 'vivid' pattern. The geckos vary in hue, but generally have a lighter brown body with darker brownish-black patches running down their backs and limbs. Himachal bent-toed geckos were found 'along a road' at an elevation of 4,400 feet, the study said. The area had 'recently burned, and the floor of the forest was blackened due to the fire. The density of the lizards was low, likely due to the forest degradation and construction work along the road.' Much about the lifestyle and behavior of the new species remains unknown. Researchers said they named the new species after Himachal Pradesh where it was first discovered and, so far, the only place where it has been found. This state is in northern India, bordering Tibet. Himachal bent-toed geckos were identified by their scales, pores, coloring, texture and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 4% genetic divergence from related species. The research team included Virender Bhardwaj, Jayaditya Purkayastha, H. T. Lalremsanga and Zeeshan Mirza. The team also discovered a second new species of bent-toed gecko in Jammu and Kashmir.
Miami Herald
17-04-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Stocky' creature with ‘fiery orange' eyes found mating. It's a new species
As night settled across a forest in northeastern India, some 'stocky' creatures with 'fiery orange' eyes began calling for mates. The calls worked — but also caught the attention of nearby scientists. Scientists didn't know it as they watched the animals' courting ritual, but they'd just discovered a new species. Researchers hiked into a nature reserve along the border of Assam and Meghalaya states several times between 2004 and 2005 to search for wildlife, according to a study published April 14 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa. During the nighttime visits, the team encountered several 'slow-moving' frogs in the grass, bushes and streams, the study said. They watched the animals for a while before capturing a few. Initially, researchers thought the frogs were a known and widespread species. But years later, they began to reconsider. They looked closer at the frogs, tested their DNA and noticed some subtle but distinct differences. Researchers realized they'd discovered a 'cryptic' new species: Leptobrachium aryatium, or the Arya litter frog. Arya litter frogs are considered 'medium-sized,' reaching about 2.5 inches long, the study said. They have 'stocky' bodies with 'long' limbs and fringed toes. Their 'broad' heads have 'very large, bulging' eyes that are part 'fiery orange' and part black. Photos show the brownish-gray coloring of the new species. Darker blotches dot its back, sides and arms. Seen from below, it has a 'heavily speckled' belly. Arya litter frogs are nocturnal and live in tropical forests, the study said. Researchers also described the breeding behavior of Arya litter frogs. Females would approach calling males, then 'engage in a cyclic chase, with the male attempting to grasp the female from behind,' researchers said. If the male succeeds, the 'pair then moves towards a slow-moving side pool of the stream to lay eggs.' If not, the female 'moves away.' Some of the new species' eggs and tadpoles were found in nearby streams, the study said. Researchers said they named the new species 'aryatium,' a Latin phrase meaning 'in honor of Arya,' after Arya Vidyapeeth College in Assam because of 'its contributions to the field of herpetology and its support of scientific research in Assam.' Study co-author Jayanta Gogoi is affiliated with the college. So far, Arya litter frogs have only been found in the neighboring states of Assam and Meghalaya but could have a wider range, pending confirmation, the study said. These states are in northeastern India, bordering Bangladesh and Bhutan. The new species was identified by its call, size, texture, eyes, coloring, toe shape and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 2% genetic divergence from other related species. The research team included Jayaditya Purkayastha, Dipankar Dutta, Jayanta Gogoi and Saibal Sengupta.
