Shillong, April 27: In the rain-soaked highlands of Meghalaya, scientists have made an exciting discovery about a little-known forest snake that has remained a mystery for nearly two centuries. The elusive Smithophis bicolor, first described in 1855, has now been confirmed as a distinct species living exclusively in the higher elevations of Meghalaya — thanks to a combination of field surveys, detailed morphological studies, and modern genetic analysis.

The study, published  in the Journal of Threatened Taxa, was led by Jayaditya Purkayastha and his team from Help Earth NGO, along with researchers from Assam Don Bosco University, the Zoological Survey of India, and Mizoram University.

Despite  being  one  of  the  earliest  described  species of  the  genus Smithophis, S.  bicolor  lacked  any  new information  until  recent  times. “ “The study not  only  gives  genetic  data  from  the type  locality  of S.  bicolor  but  also  provides  expanded morphological   description   of   the   species   based   on multiple   specimens” researchers associsted with the study say.

The discovery began with a road-killed specimen collected by Holiness Warjri, a young researcher from Mairang, Eastern West Khasi Hills. This seemingly small find sparked a much larger investigation. The team collected and examined multiple specimens from across Meghalaya, analyzed their body features in detail, and for the first time, sequenced their mitochondrial DNA (specifically the cytochrome b gene).

Their findings were surprising: although Smithophis bicolor had previously been reported from both Meghalaya and Mizoram, the study revealed that the true bicolor is found only in Meghalaya. Specimens from Mizoram, earlier thought to be the same, represent an entirely different lineage — possibly a new, yet-unnamed species.

The true Smithophis bicolor is a striking snake with a shiny black back and a bright gamboge-yellow belly. In the wild, it lives near clear forest streams, boulders, and mossy slopes between 1,000 and 1,700 meters above sea level. It is active during the daytime, especially after heavy rainfall, and prefers semi-evergreen to evergreen forests — habitats that are becoming increasingly vulnerable to human disturbance.

The snake’s appearance — smooth-scaled, short-tailed, with a sleek bicolored body — sets it apart from its close relatives. Males are slightly different from females, with longer tails and more subcaudal scales, according to the detailed measurements recorded in the study.

“This is not just about finding a snake,” said the researchers. “It’s about understanding the hidden biodiversity of Meghalaya’s hills.” The study not only clarifies the true identity of Smithophis bicolor but also lays the groundwork for future discoveries — as the team suggests that the Mizoram specimens will soon be formally described as a new species.

The rediscovery also highlights the rich but fragile ecosystems of the Khasi Hills. With ongoing habitat loss, the researchers stress the need for urgent conservation measures to protect these mist-laden forests and their unique wildlife.

Researchers say Meghalaya, which is rich in terms of biodiversity forms  a  part  of  the  Indo-Burma  biodiversity  hotspot which  lies  on  the  southern  bank  of  river  Brahmaputra and   has   been   relatively   well   surveyed   historically, particularly during the time of British India. Since then, after  a  long  time  the  state  has  witnessed  a  significant increase  in  the  number  of  new  herpetofaunal  species descriptions  in  the  past  two  decades  alongside  range extensions  regarding  certain  species.

“Despite being  a  described  species,  further  research  and  field work are necessary to properly understand the accurate distribution  range,  ecology,  reproductive  biology  and conservation  biology  of S.  bicolor.  The  Khasi  Hill  is  the “type locality” for snake species like Stoliczkia khasiensis Jerdon, 1870 which is known just from a single specimen and since its description in 1870, the species was never reported  for  the  second  time  as  a  result  of  which  it has  been  considered  as  a  lost  species.

“This  highlights the  importance  of  conducting  continuous  as  well  as comprehensive herpetofaunal surveys throughout Khasi Hills and its adjoining hill ranges before the depletion of forest cover due to anthropogenic pressures” researchers emphasize.

Also Read: A Rare Glimpse: First Ever Photograph of a Ferret Badger Captured in Tripura

Also Watch

Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.