November 6th 2023.
A new species of venomous snake has been discovered in Myanmar, and it poses a potential threat to humans. The Uetz's pit viper was identified using dozens of preserved specimens captured in central and southern Myanmar. The snake belongs to the Trimeresurus genus of pit vipers, and its venom has the potential to destroy red blood cells, disrupt blood clotting, and cause organ degeneration.
Herpetologist Dr Gernot Vogel, who described the snake in a recent study, confirmed that the viper was venomous. He commented that the species should not usually be fatal to humans, but cautioned that further studies on its toxicology were needed.
This new species has a bizarre forked penis, a trait that is not unknown in the animal kingdom. Dr Vogel explained that every snake has two hemipenes, and that hundreds of reptiles have a forked hemipenis. He added that it was uncertain what benefit this trait had, but that it may be better for pairing on trees and bushes.
The species was identified based on factors like its eye and body colour, as well as the male snake's much shorter genitals. It is green in color, and hunts by sitting motionlessly in the bushes and waiting for prey such as reptiles, frogs, mice or birds.
In 2021, a study of confirmed or suspected Trimeresurus bites in Myanmar found multiple patients suffered swelling and problems with blood clotting. Out of 355 cases, 21 suffered acute kidney injury, with one of these needing dialysis.
The new species was given the scientific name Trimeresurus uetzi in honour of Peter Uetz, a scientist at Virginia Commonwealth University, who created the Reptile Database. The study is published in the journal Zootaxa.
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