A beautiful non-toxic snake, previously unknown to science, was discovered in Paraguay and described by Paraguayan researchers NGO Para La Tierra in collaboration with Guyra Paraguay and the Instituto de InvestigaciónBiológica del Paraguay. It belongs to the genus Phalotris, comprising 15 semi-subterranean species distributed in central South America. This group of snakes is known for its striking color with red, black, and yellow patterns.
Jean-Paul Brouard, one of the researchers involved, came across one of the new species by accident when he dug a hole in Rancho Laguna Blanca in 2014. Along with colleagues Paul Smith and Pier Cacciali, he described the discovery in an open space – accessing the scientific journal Zoosystematics and Evolution. The authors named it Phalotrisshawnella, in honor of two children — Shawn Ariel Smith Fernández and Ella Bethany Atkinson — born about the same year as Fundación Para La Tierra (2008). They encouraged the founders of the NGO to work for Paraguayan wildlife conservation, hoping that their children could inherit a better world.
The new snake called Phalotris is very attractive and can be distinguished from other species in its genus with a red head attached to a yellow collar, a black rear belt and orange ventral scales with unusual black dots. Known only to three people, it is found in the Cerrado woods at the entrance to San Pedro in eastern Paraguay. Its well-known distribution includes two sandy areas at the entrance — Colonia Volendam and Laguna Blanca — 90 miles [90 km] apart.
The rare discovery of this species has led authors to classify it as “Endangered”, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) conservation standards, which means it is in danger of extinction due to its lack of measures protection.This species can only be found in the popular tourist area of ​​Laguna Blanca, an area known as an Important Conservation Area for Animals and Reptiles.”This also highlights the need to protect the natural environment in this part of Paraguay,” the authors note. “Laguna Blanca was designated a nature reserve for 5 years, but currently has no protection at all. The preservation of this site should be considered the most important thing in the country for its preservation.”
Source Journal Reference: Paul Smith et al, A new species of Phalotris (Serpentes, Colubridae, Elapomorphini) from Paraguay, Zoosystematics and Evolution (2022). DOI: 10.3897/zse.98.61064
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