Question: A new snake species discovered in the beginning of 2021 Xylophis Deepaki first found at which of the following place?
a) Kanyakumari
b) Arunachal Pradesh
c) Himachal Pradesh
d) Rajasthan
Answer: (a)
Related Facts:-
- In the beginning of 2021; a tiny wood snake in the family Pareidae of species Xylophis discovered.
- This small genus of snakes has recently been named as Xylophis Deepaki.
- It was first found on a coconut plantation in Kanyakumari.
- This snake has been named so to honour Indian herpetologist Deepak Veerappan
- Herpetologist Deepak Veerappan made his valuable contribution in erecting a new subfamily Xylophiinae for wood snakes.
- Details of Xylophis Deepaki:-
- This new snake species also known as common name ‘Deepak’s wood snake’.
- It is a tiny snake of just 20 cm length with iridescent scales.
- It was first found on a coconut plantation in Kanyakumari.
- It is now reported to be an endemic species of Tamil Nadu.
- It has also been sighted in some parts of the Southern Western Ghats,
- In Southern Western Ghats it has especially found in the drier regions and in lower altitudes around Agasthyamalai hills.
Links:-
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/herpetologist-deepak-veerappan-has-a-snake-named-after-him/article34459064.ece
https://journalsofindia.com/xylophis-deepaki/