Researchers discovered new species of snake in Africa that may be 'extinct'; understand

Scientists recently discovered a species of snake that may be extinct. Using a new DNA extraction technique, researchers were able to analyze the genetic code of a specimen that was run over in 1982, in Zimbabwe.

According to researchers, obtaining samples from rare or extinct animals is an extremely delicate task. Additionally, the use of chemicals such as formalin can damage the DNA and prevent the observation of genetic codes. Because of this, some species take longer to be analyzed.

However, now the analysis of specimens that are preserved in museums has seen an important scientific advance that has enabled a new analysis of the genetic code.

With this, a group of researchers from different universities managed to carry out new genetic observations of a species of snake typical of the Nyanga region, in Zimbabwe.

Initially classified by scientists as rinkhals, a type of snake that can measure up to two meters, this snake was sighted in the highlands of eastern Zimbabwe and began to be observed in 1920.

(Image: Donald Broadley/Reproduction)

Biologists analyzed DNA from a rare species of snake

From the first moment, this snake gained people's interest due to its red skin between the scales and the appearance of black dots on its hood.

It also had other characteristics, such as a defensive posture with an extended hood, very similar to the behavior of the cobra species.

From 1920 onwards, this species of snake It began to be observed in the region and had recorded appearances in 1950. Until a specimen was collected in 1982, after being run over and handed over to the Zimbabwe Natural History Museum.

In 2023, research on the species was published in scientific journal PLOS One. DNA analysis demonstrated that the specimen belongs to an isolated population of rinkhals, with characteristics distinct from the species present in South Africa.

Another distinguishing feature of this snake is its prey for spitting venom and the number of scales. Therefore, it was considered a new species of snake and was named Hemachatus nyangensis, being the rinkhals of Nyanga.

However, the researchers' concern is that the rare species of snake has not been observed in the region since 1988. “No living specimens have been seen since the 1980s, probably due to drastic changes in the use of land in the Eastern Highlands, suggesting the species could be extinct,” the paper described published.

They believe that the main reason was forestry, a type of forest cultivation carried out through agricultural management. Thus, this drastic change in landscape affected the survival of several species in the region, including rinkhals (Hemachatus nyangensis) who lived in the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe.