Scientists have discovered a new snake species on a remote island in the Bahamas.
Specifically, a team of international researchers found a silvery female snake that measures about a meter long. The snake was sliding on a silver palm tree located near the edge of the water on a secluded island on the southern part of the archipelago.
Expedition Of Experts
Before the sun set, one of the team members, Nick Herman from Harvard University, found a snake to where he was stationed. He informed his peers through the radio and shortly after, he was joined in by the rest of the group. They all marveled at the silver boa.
Team member Dr. Alberto Puente-Rolón from Puerto Rico says the snake looks very different from other previously identified species of boa.
The team then came up with a systematic strategy to look for more of these snakes. Their efforts did not go in vain as they were able to discover four more as the night deepened.
Late during the night, when the expedition team decided to call it a day, Dr. Graham Reynolds from the University of North Carolina Asheville felt something crawling directly to his head. It was a boa that came from the forest and traveled on the beach to where the team stayed. Reynolds awoke his colleagues to inform them they have an additional animal discovery.
Laboratory Analysis
When the scientists returned to the laboratory, they immediately investigated the snakes they had found. Analysis included genetic studies of tissue specimens and results showed that the snakes were indeed new species that had deviated from other boas in the past several million years.
The silver boa was officially named Chilabothrus argentum, due to its silver color and based on the first animal's settlement in a silver palm (Cocothrinax argentata).
Revisiting Origins To Find Out More
In October 2015, right after Hurricane Joaquin devastated the Bahamas, Reynolds went back to the island. During that trip, the expert group was able to discover 14 more snakes amid the damages and loss of leaves on trees.
The captured specimens were assessed and marked with permanent internal electronic tags for easy identification.
Threats To Silver Snake Boas
During the more recent trip, it was found that the population of silver boas were threatened by reptile predator feral cats.
Aside from that, Reynolds and peers determined the species to be under the Red List Criteria according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
At present, conservation efforts are being planned and implemented to save the new species and prevent it from going extinct shortly after being discovered.
Rare Discovery
"Worldwide, new species of frogs and lizards are being discovered and described with some regularity," says Robert Henderson from the Milwaukee Museum of Natural History. He adds, however, that it is rare to see new species of snakes. The new discovery is more than just detecting a new type of snake, it is also about discovering a new type of boa — an unusual, exciting and buzzworthy feat.
The new discovery reminds scientists that remarkable things in the world are still left undiscovered. Aside form that, it gives the Bahamas another natural feature that its people can boast about.
The study was published in the journal Breviora.
