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University Researchers Discover New Species of Venomous Snake 25 July 2018

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University Researchers Discover New Species of Venomous Snake 25 July 2018 University researchers discover new species of venomous snake 25 July 2018 points out, this new species could have distinct benefits. "Due to their secretive habitats, small size, and venom that is not highly toxic to humans, the Weipa bandy-bandy is of no threat to us. In fact, once the venom of this new species is investigated, its complex mixture of biologically active chemicals has the potential to lead to future drug developments that could help humans." The Weipa bandy-bandy was discovered by Dr. Bryan Fry (University of Queensland) and Dr. Freek Vonk (Naturalis Biodiversity Centre) in 2014, during a field trip to the Cape York Peninsula. Dr. Vonk and Dr. Fry suspected that the specimen was different to other bandy-bandy species. During a Weipa bandy bandy. Credit: Dr. Freek Vonk later trip in 2016, another team member from Dr. Fry's lab came across another of the snakes—a sign that the first wasn't simply an unusual individual but might represent a new species. New genetic Researchers at Swansea University's College of samples and morphological data were collected for Science are part of an international team that has these individuals and compared with all other discovered a new species of venomous snake in bandy-bandy species. It was then up to Dr. Australia. Arbuckle to use the genetic data and test whether the new specimens represented a new, The Vermicella parscauda (Weipa bandy-bandy) is evolutionarily distinct species and to compare this a small (50-100cm) black and white banded snake to previously known species. found only in Australia. It belongs to a group of venomous snakes known as burrowing elapids. The Weipa bandy-bandy might pose no threat to But despite being part of a highly venomous family humans, but as Dr. Arbuckle says, the opposite is including cobras and the infamous Australian unfortunately not true: "Despite only just being taipans, bandy-bandys pose no risk to humans and discovered the new species already faces their venom could actually contain medicinal significant threat through potential habitat disruption properties. due to mining activities and will likely be classified as endangered or even critically endangered once Dr. Kevin Arbuckle is leading the molecular data formally evaluated. analysis part of the research at Swansea. He said: "We are extremely excited to have identified this Identifying the species is the first step towards new species. After conducting the analyses of making efforts to conserve it and provides a strong molecular data, we found that we had indeed argument to avoid greatly extending the current found a distinctly different species than the bandy- mining enterprises that threaten its habitat." bandys known previously." The paper detailing the discovery of the Weipa It could be said that the last thing Australia needs bandy-bandy has been published in the journal is another venomous snake but as Dr. Arbuckle Zootaxa. 1 / 2 More information: Zootaxa (2018). DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4446.1 Provided by Swansea University APA citation: University researchers discover new species of venomous snake (2018, July 25) retrieved 30 September 2021 from https://phys.org/news/2018-07-university-species-venomous-snake.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. 2 / 2 Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org).
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