A team of scientists has discovered a new species of snake in the Western Himalayas, naming it Anguiculus dicaprioi in honor of Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, recognizing his significant contributions to wildlife conservation.
Species Named After Leonardo DiCaprio
- The snake species is named Anguiculus dicaprioi, recognizing DiCaprio’s work in raising awareness about global climate change, biodiversity loss, and supporting conservation efforts.
- DiCaprio has been involved in creating awareness about environmental issues and funding field conservation activities and research.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Anguiculus means “small snake” in Latin, reflecting the relatively small size of this species in comparison to other members of the Colubridae family.
- Colubridae is the largest family of snakes, consisting of 304 genera and 1,938 species, making up almost two-thirds of all living snakes globally.
- Suggested common English names: Himalayan Snake and DiCaprio’s Himalayan Snake.
Habitat and Range
- The snake has been found in specific locations across the Western Himalayas, including:
- Chamba, Kullu, and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, India.
- Nainital in Uttarakhand, India.
- Chitwan National Park in Nepal.
- Its discovery highlights the distinct biota of the Western Himalayas, which is not simply a subset of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity.
Behavior and Physical Characteristics
- The species exhibits unique characteristics, with a complete and robust skull.
- The individuals were observed basking and remained motionless when approached, showing no signs of aggression or attempts to bite.
- All three type specimens were found in June 2020, while other individuals were observed from July to September.
Significance of the Western Himalayas
- The study emphasizes that while the Eastern Himalayas have greater documented biodiversity, the Western Himalayas hold distinct species, indicating the need for further research.
- The findings call for a broader approach to documenting species in the region, using integrated taxonomic methods to uncover hidden diversity.
Conservation Implications
- The researchers highlight the importance of conservation attention for newly discovered species, many of which may currently be under-recognized.
- An integrated taxonomic approach will be crucial for better understanding the biodiversity of the Western Himalayas and ensuring that these species receive the protection they need.