Journal of Threatened
Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 November 2024 | 16(11): 26131–26149
ISSN 0974-7907
(Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print)
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8741.16.11.26131-26149
#8741 | Received 14
September 2023 | Final received 24 October 2024 | Finally accepted 03 November
2024
An updated checklist of snakes
(Reptilia: Squamata) in northeastern India derived from a review of recent
literature
Bijay Basfore 1 ,
Manab Jyoti Kalita 2, Narayan Sharma 3 & Ananda Ram Boro 4
1,4 Department of Zoology, Pandu
College, Pandu, Guwahati, Assam 781012, India.
2 Department of Zoology, Madhab
Choudhury College, Barpeta, Assam, 781301, India
3 Department of Environmental
Biology and Wildlife Sciences, Cotton University, Panbazar, Guwahati, Assam
781001, India.
1 bijaybasfore108@gmail.com, 2
kalitamanabzoo@gmail.com (corresponding author), 3 narayan.sharma@cottonuniversity.ac.in,
4 boroanand7@gmail.com
Editor: S.R. Ganesh, Kalinga Foundation, Agumbe,
India. Date of publication: 26 November 2024 (online &
print)
Citation:
Basfore, B., M.J. Kalita, N. Sharma & A.R. Boro (2024). An updated
checklist of snakes (Reptilia: Squamata) in northeastern India derived from a
review of recent literature. Journal of Threatened Taxa 16(11): 26131–26149. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.8741.16.11.26131-26149
Copyright: © Basfore et al. 2024. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and distribution of this article in
any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of
publication.
Funding: None.
Competing interests: The authors declare no competing
interests.
Author details: Bijay Basfore is a PhD scholar at Cotton
University, India, with a primary research focus on herpetology, particularly
snakes and frogs. He has authored four research articles and one book chapter to date and was awarded a scholarship by SAVE THE FROGS! to
participate in their Peninsular-Malaysia 2024 eco-tour. Manab Jyoti Kalita is an assistant professor at M.C.
College, Barpeta, and a PhD scholar at Gauhati University, India. His primary research interest lies in butterflies. Narayan Sharma serves as an assistant professor
at Cotton University. His research encompasses various fields, including
ecology, conservation biology, primatology, human-wildlife interaction, human
ecology, urban ecology, and citizen science. Ananda Ram Boro has been an assistant professor at
Pandu College, India, since 2008. His research primarily focuses on wildlife
conservation, particularly on bat taxonomy.
Author contributions: BB drafted the manuscript, compiled data from various sources, and
prepared the checklist of snakes along with their regional distribution. MJK
conceptualized the manuscript and contributed to the study’s design. NS
enhanced the manuscript’s fluency and supervised its preparation. ARB assisted in designing the study.
Acknowledgements: The authors are indebted to the
Department of Zoology, Pandu College for providing the resources to carry out
this project. They sincerely thank friends, families, and colleagues for their
support and guidance.
Abstract: This paper reviews studies of the
snakes of northeastern India published between 2001------- and 2024 identified
from searchable databases, covering diversity, range extension, distribution
records, new genus, new species, redescription, rediscovery, and taxonomic
revision. This analysis of the literature and publicly available information
presents an updated checklist of 126 snake species representing 12 families and
46 genera, along with their distribution across states in northeastern India
and their IUCN Red List status. The study also reveals a research gap in some
northeastern states that provides opportunities for further regional studies.
Keywords: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh,
herpetofauna, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, ophidian, Sikkim, Tripura.
Introduction
The documentation and evaluation
of snakes in India date back to the 19th century. Some of the
pioneering works on Indian snakes include Günther (1864), Jerdon (1870),
Boulenger (1890), Wall (1909a, 1910a, 1911, 1918, 1922a), Cazaly (1914), Smith
(1943), Sharma (1976), Das (1991), and Murthy et al. (1993). The reptilian
fauna of the country was reported by Aengals et al. (2018), who listed 572
species of reptiles, comprising 304 species of snakes representing 16 families.
Later, Deuti et al. (2022) reported the occurrence of 471 amphibians and 681
reptile species from India.
Northeastern India consists of
the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland,
Tripura, and Sikkim, which is bordered by Myanmar in the east, Nepal in the
west, Bangladesh in the south-west, Bhutan in the north-west, and China in the
north. This region covers an area of about 0.26 million km2 (Jain et
al. 2012). The altitude varies from sea level to 8,600 m at the peak of
Kanchenjunga in Sikkim (Chib & Lodrick 2023). Northeastern India has an
impressive biodiversity and harbors high endemicity in plant and vertebrate
species, resulting in its recognition as a biodiversity hotspot (Das &
Khosla 2018). Most of the genera and species diversity of snakes in the country
are confined to northeastern India and the Western Ghats (Hmar et al. 2020),
making conducting proper surveys in these areas important. Some of the
pioneering works on the snakes of northeastern India include Cantor (1839),
Blyth (1851, 1853, 1854), Gray (1853), Günther (1860), Anderson (1871), Wall
(1908, 1909b, 1910b,c, 1922b), Acharji & Kripalani (1951), Talukdar &
Sanyal (1978), Mathew (1983, 1992, 1995, 1998), Sanyal & Gayen (1987),
Shamungou (1995), Sengupta et al. (2000), and Captain & Bhatt (2000).
Since the start of the 21st
century, many scientific articles and guidebooks have been written about the
snakes in northeastern India. Some states in the region have been thoroughly
studied in the last 23 years, but others still need more research. For
instance, some of the northeastern states have seen a lot of research on snake
diversity, distribution, and species description, whereas in other states,
there hasn’t been as much research, so our understanding of snake biodiversity
there is limited. The present study aims to address such disparities by
providing a comprehensive review of ophidian studies in northeastern India,
encompassing well-studied areas and those requiring more attention. Through
this review, we endeavor to shed light on the current state of snake research
in the region and identify areas for future study and conservation action.
Materials
and Methods
We examined 111 research papers
published between January 2001 and September 2024. These articles were obtained
from online searchable databases such as ‘Google Scholar’, the ‘Reptile
Database’ and various journals using a combination of keywords such as “snakes”,
“northeastern India”, “reptiles”, “herpetofauna”, “new records”, “new species”,
“diversity”, “rediscovery”, and “taxonomic revision of snakes”. In our
segregation and allocation process, we categorized studies based on the states
they focused on or where the snakes were studied. Each article was carefully
reviewed to determine its geographic relevance and allocated accordingly. If an
article covered multiple states, we reviewed it separately and included it in
the appropriate section, ensuring a clear state-wise review. The analysis of
previously published papers, especially the recent ones, and the data gathered
from other publicly available sources were used to prepare an updated checklist
of snakes in northeastern India. We also searched the recent version of the
IUCN Red Data List to check their conservation status.
Results
Diversity
In the last two decades or so,
several studies have been conducted to understand the diversity of snakes at
the district or state level and in the protected and non-protected areas of
northeastern India. Pawar & Birand (2001) surveyed to document the
herpetofaunal diversity in northeastern India and reported 57 snake species.
Later, Ahmed et al. (2009) published a photographic field guide illustrating
101 species out of the 274 species of herpetofauna known from the region. The
study also presented a photo gallery of 48 reptile species and a checklist of
herpetofauna for the northeast region, enlisting 102 species of snakes.
However, our analysis reveals that certain species listed in their checklists
have undergone taxonomic revisions, and the distribution of some species has
been confined to specific localities. This highlights the dynamic nature of
taxonomic status and distribution patterns, emphasizing the importance of
periodic reassessment in biodiversity studies.
Multiple research investigations
have also undertaken the task of systematically documenting the diversity of
snakes within northeastern states or specific localities, contributing to the
broader understanding of regional herpetofauna. These are summarised state-wise
as follows:
In Assam, Das et al. (2007)
documented the incidence of road mortality among reptiles and recorded the
fatalities of 26 snake species along a highway in close proximity to Kaziranga
National Park. Das et al. (2009) reported 45 species of reptiles from the
Barail Wildlife Sanctuary and the surrounding Cachar District of Assam, which
included 23 snake species representing five families and 19 genera and the
study also included the documentation of four individuals of the genus Rhabdophis
whose species identity remained uncertain. Purkayastha et al. (2011) reported
59 species of reptiles and amphibians from the urban city of Guwahati, which
included 23 species of snakes representing five families. Islam & Saikia
(2014) recorded 35 snake species in the Jeypore Reserved Forest of Assam and
documented the road mortality of 17 of those species. Sengupta et al. (2016)
reported 36 species of reptiles including 19 species of snakes from the Deepor
Beel wetland of Assam. Baishya & Das (2018) reported the presence of 15
snake species belonging to five families in the Nalbari district. Purkayastha
(2018) presented the terrestrial vertebrate diversity of Guwahati wherein he
reported 29 species of snakes from the city. Sengupta et al. (2019) reported 17
species of snakes from the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam.
Purkayastha et al. (2020a) reported 41 species of reptiles comprising 23
species of snakes belonging to five families from Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary,
Assam and Mahananda et al. (2023) presented a checklist of the terrestrial
vertebrate diversity of the Garbhanga landscape wherein they reported 39
species of snakes.
In Mizoram, Laltanpuia et al.
(2008) reported 24 species of snakes from the Mizoram University Campus of
Tanhril, Aizawl. Harit (2010) reported 16 species of non-venomous snakes from
the Champhai district of the state. Lalremsanga et al. (2011) reported 49
species of snakes representing five families, along with a note on the effects
of environmental factors in the distribution of snakes throughout the state.
Lalremsanga et al. (2014) reported 19 snake species from the Tamdil National
Wetland of Mizoram, including the presence of Herpetoreas xenura which
is endemic to the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. Lalremsanga & Lalronunga
(2017) documented 52 species of snakes from the state. Hmar et al. (2020)
reported 28 species of snakes belonging to 20 genera representing seven
families from the Reiek Community Reserved Forest in the Mamit district of
Mizoram. Also, Malsawmdawngliana et al. (2022a) reported 23 snake species,
while Gouda et al. (2023) reported 20 snake species from the Dampa Tiger
Reserve of Mizoram.
In Meghalaya, Chandramouli et al.
(2021) documented a comprehensive inventory of herpetofauna, identifying 75
species. The study claimed to report 29 amphibian species, 17 lizard species,
and 29 snake species. However, upon our meticulous analysis of their paper, we
observed a slight discrepancy, noting 18 species of lizards and 28 species of
snakes.
In Arunachal Pradesh, Biswas et
al. (2005) conducted a comprehensive examination of the vertebrate fauna within
the D’Ering Wildlife Sanctuary, wherein they identified and documented nine
distinct species of reptiles, including both venomous and non-venomous snakes.
Borang et al. (2005) provided a checklist for the ophidian fauna of the state,
which included 67 species representing five families and 31 genera. Sanyal
& Gayen (2006) reported 78 species of reptiles from the state, which
included 55 species of snakes. Agarwal et al. (2010) reported 23 species of
snakes representing 16 genera and belonging to four families from Eaglenest
Wildlife Sanctuary, and Sinha et al. (2021) provided a checklist of the
herpetofauna diversity of the Zoological Survey of India campus of Itanagar
wherein they reported the occurrence of 20 species of snakes representing five
families.
In Tripura, Majumder et al.
(2012) reported 55 species of reptiles and amphibians from the state, which
included 18 species of snakes. Giri et al. (2017) reported 28 species of
reptiles, including 12 species of snakes, from nine biodiversity hotspots, and
Purkayastha et al. (2020b) reported 33 species of reptiles, including 19
species of snakes from Rowa Wildlife Sanctuary, Tripura.
In Nagaland, Ao et al. (2004)
reported 41 species of snakes with 19 new records from the state. Later,
Bhupathy et al. (2013) reported 31 species of snakes with eight new records
from the state, and Yanthungbeni et al. (2018) reported five species of snakes
from Dimapur.
In Sikkim, Jha & Thapa (2002)
published the book “Reptiles & Amphibians of Sikkim” wherein they reported
59 species of snakes belonging to five families. Later, Chettri et al. (2011)
conducted surveys in Teesta Valley and Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary and reported
42 species of reptiles including 28 species of snakes. Additionally, they also
presented a checklist of 50 amphibian and 88 reptilian species occurring in the
region.
In Manipur, Mathew (2005)
mentioned the deposition of nine species of reptiles from the state at the
Eastern regional station, Zoological Survey of India, Shillong. This collection
represented only two species of snakes, Coelognathus radiatus and Fowlea
piscator.
Range Extension and Distribution
Records
In the 21st century,
several studies reported the discovery of different species of snakes from
parts of northeastern India where they were previously not known to exist and
this extended the distributional range for those species.
In Assam, Sutradhar & Nath
(2013) reported the first record of Oligodon kheriensis near Kachugaon
Reserved Forest, Kokrajhar district. Nath et al. (2019) reported the first
confirmed record of Daboia russelii from the state. Nath et al. (2021a)
reported new distribution records for Oligodon kheriensis from the
Bongaigaon, Chirang, Baksa, and Kokrajhar districts of Assam. Dey et al. (2022)
reported the first confirmed record of Oligodon dorsalis from Assam and
Sarkar et al. (2022) presented the distribution records of three cat snake
species of the genus Boiga, from Assam. Also recently, Dutta et
al. (2024) reported the first record of Protobothrops mucrosquamatus
from Assam based on a live specimen observed in the Karbi-Anlong district of
the state.
In Meghalaya, Gayen (2001) reported
the first record of Hebius venningi from the state based on a specimen
collected from the Jaintia Hills district. However, on further analysis, Mathew
& Meetei (2004) identified the specimen from Jaintia Hills as Herpetoreas
xenura. Also, Rathee et al. (2021) reported the occurrence of Trimeresurus
salazar in the state along with an additional note on its hemipenis.
In Mizoram, Lalremsanga et al.
(2011) provided 14 new records of snake species. Lalremsanga et al. (2015)
reported four new records for the state. Harit (2016) extended the distribution
of Oreocryptophis porphyraceus to Mizoram. Lalbiakzuala &
Lalremsanga (2017) reported the first record of Lycodon fasciatus for
Mizoram state. Lalremsanga et al. (2018) reported the first-ever record of Gongylosoma
scriptum in India from Mizoram. Khan et al. (2019) provided the first-ever
record of Euprepiophis mandarinus from Mizoram. Lalbiakzuala &
Lalremsanga (2019) reported for the first time, the occurrence of Hebius
venningi in Mizoram. Additionally, Biakzuala et al. (2020a) reported new
distributional records for Lycodon zawi from all eight districts of
Mizoram. Biakzuala et al. (2020b) extended the distribution of Lycodon
septentrionalis to 10 new localities in Mizoram. Biakzuala et al. (2020c)
updated new distributional records for Blythia reticulata in Mizoram and
Biakzuala et al. (2021) reported new distributional records for Bungarus
lividus and Bungarus niger. Also, Lalbiakzuala et al. (2021)
contributed new distributional records of Amphiesma stolatum in the
state. Later, Lalronunga et al. (2021a) reported new locality records of Smithophis
atemporalis in Mizoram which extended the distributional range of the
species. Lalremsanga et al. (2022) provided three new distributional records
for Gongylosoma scriptum from Mizoram. Ruatpuii et al. (2022) reported
new distributional records for Smithophis atemporalis and Smithophis
bicolor from Mizoram. Malsawmdawngliana et al. (2022a) reported new
distributional records for 16 species of snakes from the Dampa Tiger Reserve of
Mizoram. Biakzuala et al. (2022) evaluated the genus Dendrelaphis in
Mizoram and provided new distributional records for D. proarchos and the
first record of D. biloreatus from the state. Lalrinsanga et al. (2022)
contributed to the morphology, molecular phylogenetics, and new localities of Gonyosoma
prasina from the state. Malsawmdawngliana et al. (2022b) reported new
distributional records of Stoliczkia vanhnuailianai, which extended the
distributional range of the species, and Bal et al. (2023) reported a new
locality record of Hebius venningi in Murlen National Park of Mizoram.
Recently, Biakzuala et al. (2024) reported the first-ever record of Trimeresurus
uetzi for India, from the state of Mizoram, and Lalremsanga et al. (2024)
confirmed the presence of Malayopython reticulatus in the state through
molecular identification.
In Arunachal Pradesh, David et
al. (2001) reported Trimeresurus medoensis from the Changlang District
of the state. Zambre et al. (2009) reported the occurrence of one of the three
subspecies of Protobothrops jerdonii from the Eaglenest Wildlife
Sanctuary which was the first record for India. Sheth & Zambre (2012)
reported records of Boiga gokool for the first time from the western
Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. Nath et al. (2021b) reported the first
record of Elaphe taeniura from Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary based on a
road-killed specimen, and Nath et al. (2023) reported the first record of Trachischium
monticola in the Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh.
In Tripura, Nath et al. (2021c)
reported the occurrence of Boiga gokool in the state for the first time
based on a live specimen observed in the Khowai district. Deb et al. (2023)
reported the first record of Ferania sieboldii from Udaipur town of
Tripura. Also, recently, Chowdhury et al. (2024) and Deb et al. (2024a,b)
provided new state and district records for Trimeresurus salazar, Sinomicrurus
gorei, and Pareas monticola from Tripura.
In Manipur, Sinate et al. (2021)
reported the first record of Bungarus niger from Moulbem village,
Churachandpur district. Subsequently, Sinate et al. (2022) reported the first
record of Boiga quincunciata from Rovakot village, Churachandpur
district. Elangbam et al. (2022) reported the first record of Lycodon jara from
Khoijuman Khullen village, Bishnupur district. Elangbam et al. (2023) reported
the first record of Trimeresurus mayaae, T. salazar, T.
erythrurus, and Protobothrops jerdonii from Manipur, which extended
the geographical range of these species and Hakim (2023) reported the first
record of Chin Hills Keelback Hebius venningi, from Manipur based on a
sighting of the species in the Senapati district. Additionally, Premjit et al.
(2024) confirmed the occurrence of Boiga cyanea in Manipur, leaving
Tripura as the only state where this species is yet to be recorded.
Additionally, Ahmed & Das
(2006) for the first time reported the occurrence of Rhabdophis nuchalis in
India from the Nagaland state. Dutta et al. (2013) presented new locality
records for Lycodon zawi from Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Assam, extending
the species’ distributional range. Kundu et al. (2021) conducted molecular identity
assessments and provided an updated distribution of Psammodynastes
pulverulentus in northeastern India, and Vogel et al. (2022) extended the
distribution of Trimeresurus salazar in northeastern India to Mizoram,
Nagaland, and Sikkim. Also recently, Gerard et al. (2024) documented the first
record of two venomous snake species from India: Bungarus suzhenae from
the Nagaland-Manipur border and Ovophis zayuensis from Arunachal
Pradesh.
New Genus and New Species
Over time, northeastern India has
consistently played a significant role in enriching the global biodiversity by
introducing numerous new species of snakes. This is evident from the fact that
in the last decade, one new genus and 16 new snake species have been described
from the region.
In Assam, Das et al. (2021)
described a new natricine species, Rhabdophis bindi, which, until its
discovery, was included within the R. himalayanus complex. The
description of the species was based on specimens collected from the Cachar
district of the state, and the distinctiveness of the species from its
congeners was validated by morphological and molecular evidence.
In Mizoram, Vogel et al. (2017)
described Blythia hmuifang with specimens recorded in Aizawl and
Serchhip districts using morphological differences with its congeners. Giri et
al. (2019) proposed a new genus, Smithophis, and added a new
species, S. atemporalis, to the genus using morphological and molecular
data. Lalronunga et al. (2021b) described the new species Stoliczkia
vanhnuailianai belonging to the Xenodermidae family from the Aizawl
district, which was distinguished from its congener, Stoliczkia khasiensis
and from Paraxenodermus borneensis using distinct morphological
features. Rathee et al. (2022) described a new green pit viper species, Trimeresurus
mayaae and Lalremsanga et al. (2022) described the new species Herpetoreas
murlen, both from the Champhai district of Mizoram. Also
recently, Mirza et al. (2024a) described Smithophis mizoramensis, the
fifth species within the genus with specimens collected from Mizoram.
In Arunachal Pradesh, Bhosale et
al. (2019) described the new species Trachischium apteii based on
specimens collected from Pange camp, Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. Captain
et al. (2019) described the new species Trimeresurus arunachalensis based
on a single specimen collected from Ramda, West Kameng district. Purkayastha et
al. (2019) described the new species Hebius lacrima with a single
specimen from Arunachal Pradesh. Bhosale et al. (2020) described the new species
Pareas kaduri belonging to the Pareidae family. Das et al. (2020a)
described the new natricine species Smithophis arunachalensis, restricting
its presence to the Lower Dibang Valley and Changlang district. Later, Mirza et
al. (2020) described the new pit viper species Trimeresurus salazar from
Arunachal Pradesh.
Also, Pan et al. (2013) described
a new pit viper species Protobothrops himalayanus based on specimens
collected from southern Tibet, China, and Sikkim, and Slowinski et al. (2001)
described a new wolf snake species Lycodon zawi from Myanmar and
northeastern India (Mizoram, Assam, and Meghalaya). Additionally, Mirza et al.
(2024b) described a new species of vine snake, Ahaetulla longirostris from
India with specimens collected from Bihar, Meghalaya, and Assam. This discovery
invalidates the occurrence of A. laudankia in Assam reported by
Purkayastha et al. (2021).
Rediscovery and Redescription
Field surveys by different
workers have led to the rediscovery of some species believed to be extinct or
not seen for a long time. Also, with the advancement in genetic science and
with detailed observations, researchers could reexamine and redescribe some
previously described species.
In Assam, Das et al. (2022)
reported the rediscovery of Oligodon melaneus based on a male specimen
collected from the Baksa district 112 years after its original description.
In Mizoram, Giri et al. (2019)
transferred the species Rhapdophis bicolor to the genus Smithophis.
Biakzuala et al. (2020b) claimed the rediscovery of Lycodon septentrionalis
after 60 years of its first collection from Mizoram. They confirmed the
occurrence of the species in five different districts of the state.
Lalbiakzuala & Lalremsanga (2020) rediscovered Oligodon catenatus after
165 years and briefly described a specimen collected from Tamdil wetland,
Mizoram. Also, Lalronunga et al. (2020) redescribed the species Hebius
xenura and transferred it to the genus Herpetoreas.
In Arunachal Pradesh, David et
al. (2001) reported the occurrence of Trimeresurus medoensis in the
Changlang district of the state. They also redescribed the type specimens along
with an elaborated note that included information on distribution, diagnosis,
variation, hemipenis, similar species, sexual dimorphism, etc., of the species.
Mistry et al. (2007) redescribed the species Lycodon gammiei and
provided evidence of it being a valid species. Das et al. (2020b) reported the
rediscovery of the species Hebius pealii and used phylogenetic results
as evidence to transfer it to the genus Herpetoreas.
Taxonomic Revision
Many snake species of
northeastern India lie in complex groups that are hard to resolve due to their
indistinguishable morphology. Various studies have tried to resolve these
complexes with the help of advanced molecular techniques and morphological
data. Vogel et al. (2011) evaluated the Dendrelaphis pictus population
of India and resurrected the taxon Dendrelaphis proarchos for the
northwestern (Indochina) form. Vogel et al. (2020) assessed the Pareas
margaritophorus-macularius complex and based on the morphological
and genetic data, resurrected the name Pareas andersonii for the Indian
(Mizoram & Nagaland), Myanmar and China populations as well as also
resurrected the taxon Pareas modestus for the Indian (Mizoram) and
southern Myanmar populations and elevated P. macularius to species
level. Furthermore, Srikanthan et al. (2022) evaluated the Ahaetulla prasina
population of northeastern India with which they resurrected the taxon A.
flavescens and stated that the population of A. prasina complex
found in northeastern India, in fact, represents A. flavescens.
Biakzuala et al. (2022) evaluated the genus Dendrelaphis in Mizoram
using morphological and molecular data. Based on this analysis, they validated
the resurrection of Dendrelaphis proarchos and proposed that the
specimen of D. pictus from Hainan, China be transferred to D.
proarchos. Biakzuala et al. (2023a) evaluated the population of Bungarus
fasciatus in Asia and suggested that there must be at least three different
clades of B. fasciatus in Asia and that the distribution of true B.
fasciatus is limited to Indo-Myanmar zone. Mirza et al. (2023) evaluated
the Asian pit vipers (genus Trimeresurus) along with the revision of Trimeresurus
popeiorum and restricted the distribution of the species to northeastern
India, southern China, Bangladesh, and northern Myanmar. Additionally, the
authors synonymized T. yingjiangensis with T. popeiorum based on shared
morphological, genetic, and distributional data between the two species.
Recently, Köhler et al. (2023) conducted molecular analysis and based on the
low genetic divergence, placed Boiga ochracea in the synonymy of Boiga
multomaculata, thereby identified two subspecies of B. multomaculata namely
B. multomaculata multomaculata and B. multomaculata ochracea and
described another new subspecies, B. multomaculata septentrionalis.
Further, based on significant differences in morphology and genetic data, the
authors resurrected the taxon B. stoliczkae elevating it to the species
level and confined its distribution in India to Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and
Assam. Also recently, Biakzuala et al. (2023b) resurrected and elevated Sinomicrurus
gorei to the species level restricting its distribution to eastern Assam,
Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland in India. Additionally, Nguyen & Vogel
(2024) revised the distribution of Trimerodytes yunnanensis and
clarified that the specimen previously identified as T. percarinatus
from northeastern India is, in fact, T. yunnanensis. Thus, this revision
removes T. percarinatus from India’s snake fauna list.
Discussion
In the last two decades,
comprehensive research efforts have been directed toward understanding the
snake fauna of northeastern India. Several studies from different states and
regions within the state have successfully reported species that were not
recorded earlier, thereby extending the species’ geographical range. Other
studies have utilized morphological and molecular data and described 16 new
species and one new genus from northeastern India within a span of 10 years
(2013–2024) highlighting the potential of the region.
Moreover, studies conducted in
some of the northeastern states have led to the rediscovery of four species
believed to be extinct or undocumented for several decades. These species
include Oligodon melaneus from Assam, Herpetoreas pealii from
Arunachal Pradesh, and Lycodon septentrionalis and Oligodon catenatus
from Mizoram. Additionally, studies using molecular data have also reexamined
and redescribed four species from northeastern India, namely Herpetoreas
xenura, Smithophis bicolor, Trimeresurus medoensis, and Lycodon
gammiei.
Various workers have also
contributed by carrying out taxonomic revisions of different complex species
groups found in northeastern India, resulting in the discovery of cryptic
species and the resurrection of several taxa, thus enhancing our knowledge of
the snake fauna of the region.
From our overall analysis of
existing literature, we estimate that northeastern India is home to 126 species
of snakes, representing 46 genera and 12 families. According to the IUCN Red
List, 78 of these species are of ‘Least Concern’, 16 species are ‘Data
Deficient’, seven species are ‘Vulnerable’, five species are ‘Near Threatened’,
and 20 species are yet to be evaluated. Additionally, certain genera, such as Cyclophiops,
Gongylosoma, Herpetoreas, Hebius, Liopeltis, Traschischium,
Trimerodytes, and Stoliczkia, have received minimal attention and
require further investigation. Also, there exists a discernible gap in studies
conducted in states such as Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura. Despite being home
to diverse ecosystems and potential habitats for various snake species, these
states have received limited attention in terms of systematic studies. The
dearth of comprehensive research in these states poses a considerable challenge
in accurately assessing their snake diversity and understanding the ecological
dynamics within their respective habitats.
Northeastern India, renowned for
its distinctive and captivating geographical features is predominantly
characterized by enchanting hilly terrain. It is well-known for being home to
160 scheduled tribes and over 400 other tribal and sub-tribal communities and
groups (D’Souza 2018). Every part of the region, including Cherrapunji, with
the highest annual rainfall at 11,465 mm, receives over 1,000 mm of rainfall
(Dikshit & Dikshit 2014). The combination of these factors collectively
impacts the accessibility to a significant part of the region, thereby imposing
limitations on extensive fieldwork and comprehensive studies.
Furthermore, the stringent
wildlife laws to safeguard the region’s diverse flora and fauna pose challenges
in designing and conducting studies, as specimen collection for bona fide
reasons is a cornerstone of taxonomic studies. Nevertheless, establishing rules
and initiatives to better streamline the permit acquisition process and fund
allocations for conservation-oriented academic research and conservation
projects would act in the interest of inventorying, monitoring, and conserving
biodiversity, and hence, prove immensely advantageous to the region and science
as a whole. This would facilitate ophidian studies in the region and enhance
our understanding of the subject, to identify and resolve the current
priorities of snake conservation in northeastern India.
Table 1.
Distribution list of the snake species in northeastern India.
|
|
Scientific name |
Common name |
Distribution in northeastern
Indian states |
References |
IUCN Red List status |
|
|
Family: Colubridae |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Ahaetulla flavescens (Wall, 1910) |
Yellow Vine Snake |
1AS, 1AR, 1ML,
1MZ |
1Srikanthan et al. (2022) |
NA |
|
2 |
Ahaetulla longirostris Mirza, Pattekar,
Verma, Stuart, Purkayastha, Mohapatra & Patel, 2024 |
Long-snouted Vine Snake |
1AS, 1ML |
1Mirza et al. (2024b) |
NA |
|
3 |
Archelaphe bella (Stanley, 1917) |
Bella Rat Snake |
1AS, 2AR, 1NL, |
1Uetz et al. (2023) 2Jayaramaiah (iNaturalist
observation, 2023) |
LC |
|
4 |
Boiga cyanea (Duméril, Bibron
& Duméril, 1854) |
Green Cat Snake |
1AS, 2AR, 3ML,
4MN, 5MZ, 6NL, 7SK |
1Smith (1943), 2Borang et al. (2005) 3Mathew (1995), 4Premjit et al. (2024) 5Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 6Ao et al. (2004), 7Jha &Thapa (2002) |
LC |
|
5 |
Boiga gokool (Gray, 1834) |
Eastern Cat Snake |
1,3,4AS, 2,3,4AR,
3,4ML, 3,4MN, 5MZ, 3NL, 6TR,
4SK |
1Smith (1943), 2Sanyal & Gayen (2006), 3Das et al. (2010) 4Ahmed et al. (2009), 5Lalremsanga & Lalronunga
(2017), 6Nath et al. (2021c) |
LC |
|
6 |
Boiga multifasciata (Blyth, 1861) |
Many-banded Cat Snake |
1AR, 1,2SK, |
1Das et al. (2010), 2Jha & Thapa (2002), |
LC |
|
7 |
Boiga multomaculata ochracea (Theobald, 1868) |
Tawny Asian Cat Snake |
1MZ |
1Köhler et al. (2023) |
NA |
|
Boiga multomaculata
septentrionalis Kohler, Charunrochana, Mogk, Than, Kurniawan, Kadafi, Das Tillack
& O'Shea, 2023 |
Northern Polymorphic Asian Cat
Snake |
1AS, 1NL |
1Köhler et al. (2023) |
||
|
8 |
Boiga quincunciata (Wall, 1908) |
Assamese Cat Snake |
1AS, 2AR, 3MN,
4MZ |
1Wall (1908), 2Sanyal & Gayen (2006), 3Sinate et al. (2022), 4Lalremsanga et al. (2011) |
LC |
|
9 |
Boiga siamensis Nutaphand, 1971 |
Thai Cat Snake |
1,4AS, 2AR,
4ML, 3MZ, 4,6NL, 5SK |
1Sarkar et al. (2022), 2Borang et al. (2005), 3Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 4Smith (1943), 5Jha & Thapa (2002), 6Ao et al. (2004) |
LC |
|
10 |
Boiga stoliczkae (Wall, 1909) |
Stoliczka’s Asian Cat Snake |
1AS, 1AR, 1SK |
1Köhler et al. (2023) |
NA |
|
11 |
Boiga trigonata (Schneider, 1802) |
Common Cat Snake |
1ML, 2SK |
1Mathew (1995), 2Smith (1943) |
LC |
|
12 |
Calamaria pavimentata Duméril, Bibron
& Duméril, 1854 |
Collared Reed Snake |
1AS, 2,3ML, 1MN,
4MZ |
1Smith (1943), 2Mathew (1995), 3Ranade (2022), 4Lalremsanga et al. (2011), |
LC |
|
13 |
Chrysopelea ornata (Shaw, 1802) |
Ornate Flying Snake |
1AS, 2AR, 3ML,
4MZ, 5NL, 6SK, 7TR |
1Sengupta et al. (2016), 2Sanyal & Gayen (2006), 3Mathew (1995), 4Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 5Bhupathy et al. (2013), 6Jha & Thapa (2002), 7Majumder et al. (2010) |
LC |
|
14 |
Coelognathus helena (Daudin, 1803) |
Indian Trinket Snake |
1AS, 2MN, 2,3NL |
1Das et al. (2007), 2Whitaker & Captain (2004), 3Bhupathy et al. (2013) |
LC |
|
15 |
Coelognathus radiatus (Boie, 1827) |
Copper-headed Trinket Snake |
1,6AS, 2,6AR,
3,6ML, 4,6MN, 5,6MZ, 6NL, 2,6,7SK,
8TR |
1Das et al. (2007), 2Whitaker & Captain (2004), 3Mathew (1995), 4Mathew (2005), 5Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 6Ao et al. (2004), 7Smith (1943), 8Majumder (2012) |
LC |
|
16 |
Cyclophiops doriae (Boulenger, 1888) |
Green Grass Snake |
1AS, 1MN |
1Wall (1924) |
LC |
|
17 |
Dendrelaphis biloreatus Wall, 1908 |
Gore’s Bronzeback |
1AS, 2AR, 3MZ,
4SK |
1Wall (1908), 2Sanyal & Gayen (2006), 3Biakzuala et al. (2022), 4Jha & Thapa (2002) |
LC |
|
18 |
Dendrelaphis cyanochloris (Wall, 1921) |
Blue Bronzeback |
1AS, 1AR, 2MZ,
3SK |
1Ahmed et al. (2009), 2Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 3Jha & Thapa (2002) |
LC |
|
19 |
Dendrelaphis proarchos (Wall, 1909) |
Painted Bronzeback |
1AS, 2AR, 3ML,
4MZ, 5NL, 6TR, 7SK |
1Mahananda et al. (2023), 2Borang et al. (2005), 3Chandramouli et al. (2021), 4Malsawmdawngliana et al.
(2022a), 5Bhupathy et al. (2013), 6Purkayastha et al. (2020b), 7Jha & Thapa (2002) |
NA |
|
20 |
Elaphe cantoris (Boulenger, 1894) |
Eastern Trinket Snake |
1,3AR, 2,3ML,
3NL, 3,4SK |
1Borang et al. (2005), 2Mathew (1995), 3Ao et al. (2004), 4Chettri et al. (2011) |
LC |
|
21 |
Elaphe hodgsoni (Günther, 1860) |
Himalayan Trinket Snake |
1ML, 1SK |
1Whitaker & Captain (2004) |
LC |
|
22 |
Elaphe taeniura Cope, 1861 |
Striped Trinket Snake |
1AR, 2MZ, 3SK |
1Borang et al. (2005), 2Harit (2010), 3Jha & Thapa (2002) |
VU |
|
23 |
Euprepiophis mandarinus (Cantor, 1842) |
Mandarin Rat Snake |
1AR, 2MZ, 3NL |
1Borang et al. (2005), 2Ashaharraza et al. (2019), 3Bhupathy et al. (2013) |
LC |
|
24 |
Gongylosoma scriptum (Theobald, 1868) |
Common Ringneck |
1MZ |
1Lalremsanga et al. (2018) |
LC |
|
25 |
Gonyosoma frenatum (Gray, 1853) |
Khasi Hills Trinket Snake |
1AR, 2ML |
1Borang et al. (2005), 2Smith (1943) |
LC |
|
26 |
Gonyosoma prasinum (Blyth, 1854) |
Green Trinket Snake |
1,4AS, 2,4AR,
4ML, 4MN, 4MZ, 3,4NL, 5SK |
1Smith (1943), 2Borang et al. (2005), 3Bhupathy et al. (2013), 4David et al. (2022), 5Jha & Thapa (2002) |
LC |
|
27 |
Liopeltis frenata (Günther, 1858) |
Günther’s Reed Snake |
1AR, 2ML, 3MZ,
4NL |
1Borang et al. (2005), 2Mathew (1995), 3Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 4Ao et al. (2004) |
LC |
|
28 |
Liopeltis rappi (Günther, 1860) |
Himalayan Reed Snake |
1SK |
1Jha & Thapa (2002) |
LC |
|
29 |
Liopeltis stoliczkae (Sclater, 1891) |
Stoliczka’s Reed Snake |
1AR, 2NL, 3SK |
1Borang et al. (2005), 2Ao et al. (2004), 3Jha & Thapa (2002) |
LC |
|
30 |
Lycodon aulicus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
Common Wolf Snake |
1,6AS, 1,6AR,
2,6ML, 1,6MN, 6MZ, 3,6NL, 4,6SK,
5,6TR |
1Smith (1943), 2Mathew (1995), 3Bhupathy et al. (2013) 4Chettri et al. (2011), 5Majumder et al. (2012), 6Whitaker & Captain (2004) |
LC |
|
31 |
Lycodon fasciatus (Anderson,1879) |
Banded Wolf Snake |
1AS, 2AR, 3MZ,
2NL |
1Smith (1943), 2Ao et al. (2004), 3Lalbiakzuala & Lalremsanga
(2017) |
LC |
|
32 |
Lycodon gammiei (Blanford, 1878) |
Sikkim False Wolf Snake |
1AR, 2SK |
1Mistry et al. (2007), 2Jha & Thapa (2002) |
NT |
|
33 |
Lycodon jara (Shaw, 1802) |
Twin-spotted Wolf Snake |
1AS, 2AR, 3ML,
4MN, 5MZ, 6TR, 7SK |
1Smith (1943), 2Borang et al. (2005), 3Mathew (1995), 4Elangbam et al. (2022), 5Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 6Purkaysatha et al. (2020b), 7Chettri et al. (2011) |
LC |
|
34 |
Lycodon septentrionalis (Günther, 1875) |
White-banded Wolf Snake |
1,2AS, 2AR,
3ML, 2MZ, 2,4NL, 5SK |
1Smith (1943), 2Biakzuala et al. (2020b), 3Mathew (1995), 4Ao et al. (2004), 5Jha & Thapa (2002) |
LC |
|
35 |
Lycodon zawi Slowinski, Pawar,
Win, Thin, Gyi, Oo & Tun, 2001 |
Zaw’s Wolf Snake |
1AS, 1ML, 1MZ |
1Slowinski et al. (2001) |
LC |
|
36 |
Oligodon albocinctus (Cantor, 1839) |
Light-barred Kukri Snake |
1,5AS, 2,5,AR,
3,5ML, 5MN, 4MZ, 5NL, 6TR,
5,7SK |
1Smith (1943), 2Borang et al. (2005), 3Mathew (1995), 4Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 5Ao et al. (2004), 6Purkayastha et al. (2020b), 7Jha & Thapa (2002) |
LC |
|
37 |
Oligodon catenatus (Blyth, 1854) |
Assam Kukri Snake |
1AS, 2MZ |
1Blyth (1854), 2Lalbiakzuala & Lalremsanga
(2020) |
LC |
|
38 |
Oligodon cinereus (Günther, 1864) |
Günther’s Kukri Snake |
1AS, 2AR, 3ML,
4MZ |
1Smith (1943), 2Borang et al. (2005), 3Mathew (1995), 4Lalremsanga et al. (2011) |
LC |
|
39 |
Oligodon cyclurus (Cantor, 1839) |
Cantor’s Kukri Snake |
1AS, 2ML, 3MZ,
4NL |
1Smith (1943), 2Mathew (1995), 3Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 4Bhupathy et al. (2013) |
LC |
|
40 |
Oligodon dorsalis (Gray, 1834) |
Bengalese Kukri Snake |
1AS, 2AR, 3ML,
4MN, 5MZ, 3NL |
1Dey et al. (2022), 2Wall (1910), 3Smith (1943), 4Mathew (1995), 5Lalremsanga et al. (2011) |
LC |
|
41 |
Oligodon kheriensis Acharji & Ray,
1936 |
Coral Red Kukri Snake |
1,2AS |
1Sutradhar & Nath (2013), 2Nath et al. (2021a) |
LC |
|
42 |
Oligodon erythrogaster Boulenger, 1907 |
Nagarkot Kukri Snake |
1SK |
1Jha & Thapa (2002) |
NT |
|
43 |
Oligodon erythrorhachis Wall, 1910 |
Red-striped Kukri Snake |
1,2AS, 1,2AR |
1Wall (1910c), 2Borang et al. (2005) |
VU |
|
44 |
Oligodon juglandifer (Wall, 1909) |
Darjeeling Kukri Snake |
1ML, 2SK |
1Chandramouli et al. (2021), 2Jha & Thapa (2002) |
VU |
|
45 |
Oligodon melaneus Wall, 1909 |
Blue-bellied Kukri Snake |
1AS, 2SK |
1Das et al. (2022), 2Jha & Thapa (2002) |
DD |
|
46 |
Oligodon melanozonatus Wall, 1922 |
Abor Hills Kukri Snake |
1AR |
1Wall (1922b) |
DD |
|
47 |
Oligodon theobaldi (Günther, 1868) |
Theobald’s Kukri Snake |
1,2ML, 3NL |
1Smith (1943), 2Mathew (1995), 3Ao et al. (2004) |
LC |
|
48 |
Oreocryptophis porphyraceus (Cantor, 1839) |
Black-banded Trinket Snake |
1AS, 2,4AR, 3,4ML,
4MN, 5MZ, 4NL, 4,6SK |
1Mahananda et al. (2023), 2Borang et al. (2005), 3Mathew (1995), 4Whitaker & Captain (2004) 5Harit (2016), 6Jha & Thapa (2002) |
LC |
|
49 |
Ptyas korros (Schlegel, 1837) |
Indo-chinese Rat Snake |
1AS, 1AR, 2ML,
3MN, 4MZ, 5NL, 6SK, 7TR |
1Smith (1943), 2Mathew (1995), 3Acharji & Kripalani (1951), 4Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 5Ao et al. (2004), 6Jha & Thapa (2002), 7Giri et al. (2017) |
NT |
|
50 |
Ptyas mucosa (Linnaeus, 1758) |
Oriental Rat Snake |
1AS, 2MZ, 3SK,
4TR |
1Das et al. (2007), 2Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 3Jha & Thapa (2002), 4Purkaysatha et al. (2020b) |
LC |
|
51 |
Ptyas nigromarginata (Blyth, 1854) |
Green Rat Snake |
1AS, 2AR, 1ML,
1NL, 1SK |
1Smith (1943), 2Borang et al. (2005) |
LC |
|
|
Family: Elapidae |
|
|
|
|
|
52 |
Bungarus bungaroides (Cantor, 1839) |
Northeastern Hill Krait |
1AS, 4AR, 1,2ML,
1SK, 3NL |
1Smith (1943), 2Mathew (1995), 3Ao et al. (2004), 4Agarwal et al. (2010) |
LC |
|
53 |
Bungarus fasciatus (Schneider, 1801) |
Banded Krait |
1AS, 1AR, 1ML,
1MZ, 2TR |
1Ahmed et al. (2009), 2Majumder et al. (2012) |
LC |
|
54 |
Bungarus lividus Cantor, 1839 |
Lesser Black Krait |
1AS, 2,5AR, 3ML,
4NL |
1Smith (1943), 2Borang et al. (2005), 3Mathew (1995), 4Bhupathy et al. (2013), 5Agarwal et al. (2010) |
LC |
|
55 |
Bungarus niger Wall, 1908 |
Greater Black Krait |
1,2AS, 1,2,3AR,
1,2ML, 4MN, 2MZ, 1NL, 1SK,
2TR |
1Ahmed et al. (2009), 2Biakzuala et al. (2021), 3Agarwal et al. (2010), 4Sinate et al. (2021) |
LC |
|
56 |
Bungarus suzhenae Chen, Shi, Vogel,
Ding & Shi, 2021 |
Suzhen’s Krait |
1MN, 1NL |
1Gerard et al. (2024) |
NA |
|
57 |
Naja kaouthia Lesson, 1831 |
Monocled Cobra |
1,2AS, 1,2AR,
2ML, 3MN, 4MZ, 2NL,1,2SK,
5TR |
1Whitaker & Captain (2004), 2Ao et al. (2004) 3Acharji & Kripalani (1951), 4Lalremsanga et al. (2011) 5Purkayastha et al. (2020b) |
LC |
|
58 |
Naja naja (Linnaeus, 1758) |
Spectacled Cobra |
1AS, 2ML |
1Uetz et al. (2023), 2Mathew (1995) |
LC |
|
59 |
Ophiophagus hannah (Cantor, 1836) |
King Cobra |
1AS, 2AR, 3ML,
4MZ, 5SK, 6TR |
1Das et al. (2007), 2Borang et al. (2005), 3Mathew (1995), 4Lalremsanga et al. (2011) 5Jha & Thapa (2002), 6Majumder et al. (2012) |
VU |
|
60 |
Sinomicrurus gorei (Wall, 1909) |
Gore’s Coral Snake |
1AS, 1MN, 1MZ,
1NL, 2TR |
1Biakzuala et al. (2023b), 2Deb et al. (2024a) |
NA |
|
61 |
Sinomicrurus macclellandi (Reinhardt, 1844) |
Macclelland’s Coral Snake |
1,4AS, 2,4AR,
3,4ML, 4MN, 4,5MZ, 4NL, 6SK |
1Smith (1943), 2Borang et al. (2005), 3Mathew (1995), 4Ao et al. (2004), 5Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 6Jha & Thapa (2002) |
LC |
|
|
Family: Homalopsidae |
|
|
|
|
|
62 |
Enhydris enhydris (Schneider, 1799) |
Rainbow Water Snake |
1AS, 1ML, 1NL |
1Ahmed et al. (2009) |
LC |
|
63 |
Ferania sieboldii (Schlegel, 1837) |
Siebold’s Water Snake |
1AS, 2AR, 2,3MZ,
2,4NL, 1TR |
1Deb et al. (2023), 2Agarwal et al. (2010), 3Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 4Smith (1943) |
LC |
|
|
Family: Natricidae |
|
|
|
|
|
64 |
Amphiesma stolatum (Linnaeus, 1758) |
Buff-striped Keelback |
1,6AS, 2,6AR,
3,6ML, 4MN, 5MZ, 6NL, 6SK,
6,7TR |
1Das et al. (2007), 2Borang et al. (2005), 3Mathew (1995), 4Acharji & Kripalani (1951), 5Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 6Ao et al. (2004), 7Majumder et al. (2012) |
LC |
|
65 |
Fowlea piscator (Schneider, 1799) |
Checkered Keelback |
1,6AS, 2,6AR,
3,6ML, 4MN, 5,6MZ, 6NL, 7SK,
6,8TR |
1Das et al. (2007), 2Borang et al. (2005), 3Mathew (1995), 4Mathew (2005), 5Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 6Ao et al. (2004) 7Jha & Thapa (2002), 8Majumder et al. (2012) |
LC |
|
66 |
Fowlea sanctijohannis (Boulenger, 1890) |
St. John’s Keelback |
1AR, 2SK |
1Borang et al. (2005), 2Chettri et al. (2011) |
LC |
|
67 |
Fowlea schnurrenbergeri (Kramer, 1977) |
Bar-necked Keelback |
1AS |
1Sengupta et al. (2016) |
LC |
|
68 |
Hebius clerki (Wall, 1925) |
Yunnan Keelback |
1,3AR, 2,3ML,
3MZ, 3NL, 4SK |
1Borang et al. (2005), 2Mathew (1995), 3Ao et al. (2004), 4Chettri et al. (2011) |
LC |
|
69 |
Hebius khasiensis (Boulenger, 1890) |
Khasi Hills Keelback |
1,3AR, 2,3ML,
3MZ, 3NL |
1Borang et al. (2005), 2Boulenger (1890), 3Ao et al. (2004) |
LC |
|
70 |
Hebius lacrima Purkayastha &
David, 2019 |
Crying Keelback |
1AR |
1Purkayastha & David (2019) |
DD |
|
71 |
Hebius modestus (Günther, 1875) |
Modest Keelback |
1AR, 2ML, 3MZ |
1Borang et al. (2005), 2Boulenger (1890), 3Lalremsanga et al. (2011), |
LC |
|
72 |
Hebius parallelus (Boulenger, 1890) |
Striped Keelback |
1AS, 2,3ML, 1,2SK |
1Smith (1943), 2Boulenger (1890), 3Mathew (1995) |
DD |
|
73 |
Hebius taroensis (Smith, 1940) |
Kachin Keelback |
1AR |
1David et al. (2021) |
NT |
|
74 |
Hebius venningi (Wall, 1910) |
Chin Hills Keelback |
1AR, 2MN, 1MZ,
1NL |
1David et al. (2021), 2Hakim (2023) |
LC |
|
75 |
Herpetoreas murlen Lalremsanga, Bal,
Vogel & Biakzuala, 2022 |
Murlen Keelback |
1MZ |
1Lalremsanga et al. (2022) |
NA |
|
76 |
Herpetoreas pealii (Sclater, 1891) |
Assam Keelback |
1AS, 1AR |
1Das et al. (2020b) |
DD |
|
77 |
Herpetoreas platyceps (Blyth, 1854) |
Himalayan Keelback |
1AR, 1ML, 2SK |
1Smith (1943), 2Jha & Thapa (2002), |
LC |
|
78 |
Herpetoreas sieboldii Günther, 1860 |
Sikkim Keelback |
1SK |
1Günther (1860) |
DD |
|
79 |
Herpetoreas xenura (Wall, 1907) |
Wall’s Keelback |
1ML, 1MZ, 2TR |
1Lalronunga (2020), 2Giri et al. (2017) |
NT |
|
80 |
Rhabdophis bindi Das, Smith, Sidik,
Sarker, Boruah, Patel, Murthy & Deepak, 2021 |
Bindee Keelback |
1AS, 1MZ, 1TR |
1Das et al. (2021) |
NA |
|
81 |
Rhabdophis helleri (Schmidt, 1925) |
Heller’s Red-necked Keelback |
1AS, 2AR, 1ML,
3MN, 1MZ, 1NL, 1SK, 4TR |
1David & Vogel (2021), 2Borang et al. (2005), 3Mathew (1995), 4Purkayastha et al. (2020b) |
NA |
|
82 |
Rhabdophis himalayanus (Günther, 1864) |
Himalayan Keelback |
1AS, 2AR, 3ML,
4MZ, 1SK, 5NL, 6TR |
1Smith (1943), 2Borang et al. (2005), 3Mathew (1995), 4Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 5Bhupathy et al. (2013), 6Giri et al. (2017) |
LC |
|
83 |
Rhabdophis nuchalis (Boulenger, 1891) |
Hubei Keelback |
1NL |
1Ahmed & Das (2006) |
LC |
|
84 |
Smithophis arunachalensis Das, Deepak,
Captain, Wade & Gower, 2020 |
Arunachal Rain Snake |
1AR |
1Das et al. (2020a) |
NA |
|
85 |
Smithophis atemporalis Giri, Gower, Das,
Lalremsanga, Lalronunga, Captain & Deepak, 2019 |
Mizo Rain Snake |
1MZ |
1Giri et al. (2019) |
DD |
|
86 |
Smithophis bicolor (Blyth, 1854) |
Two-coloured Rain Snake |
1AR, 1,2ML, 2MZ |
1Smith (1943), 2Giri et al. (2019) |
LC |
|
87 |
Smithophis mizoramensis Mirza, Bhardwaj,
Lalmuanawma, Choure, Lalremsanga, Vabeiryureilai, Captain, Zagade &
Patel, 2024 |
Mizo Brook Snake |
1MZ |
1Mirza et al. (2024a) |
NA |
|
88 |
Trachischium apteii Bhosale,
Gowande& Mirza, 2019 |
Apte’s Slender Snake |
1AR |
1Bhosale et al. (2019) |
NA |
|
89 |
Trachischium fuscum (Blyth, 1854) |
Darjeeling Slender Snake |
1AS, 2AR, 3SK |
1Smith (1943), 2Agarwal et al. (2010) 3Jha & Thapa (2002), |
LC |
|
90 |
Trachischium guentheri Boulenger, 1890 |
Rosebelly Slender Snake |
1SK |
1Jha & Thapa (2002) |
VU |
|
91 |
Trachischium monticola (Cantor, 1839) |
Assam Slender Snake |
1AR, 2ML |
1Borang et al. (2005), 2Mathew (1995) |
LC |
|
92 |
Trachischium tenuiceps (Blyth, 1854) |
Orange-bellied Slender Snake |
1AR, 2SK |
1Borang et al. (2005), 2Jha & Thapa (2002) |
DD |
|
93 |
Trimerodytes yunnanensis Rao et Yang, 1998 |
Yunnan Annulate Keelback |
1AR |
1Nguyen & Vogel (2024) |
LC |
|
94 |
Xenochrophis cerasogaster (Cantor, 1839) |
Painted Keelback |
1AS, 2ML |
1Smith (1943), 2Mathew (1995) |
VU |
|
|
Family: Pareidae |
|
|
|
|
|
95 |
Pareas andersonii Boulenger, 1888 |
Anderson’s Slug Snake |
1MZ, 1NL |
1Vogel et al. (2020) |
NA |
|
96 |
Pareas kaduri Bhosale,
Phansalkar, Sawant, Gowande, Patel & Mirza, 2020 |
Kadur’s Slug Snake |
1AR |
1Bhosale et al. (2020) |
NA |
|
97 |
Pareas modestus Theobald, 1868 |
Mountain Slug Snake |
1MZ |
1Vogel et al. (2020) |
NA |
|
98 |
Pareas monticola (Cantor, 1839) |
Assam Slug Snake |
1AS, 2AR 1,3ML,
4MZ, 1NL, 1SK, 5TR |
1Smith (1943), 2Borang et al. (2005), 3Mathew (1995), 4Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 5Deb et al. (2024b) |
LC |
|
|
Family: Pseudaspididae |
|
|
|
|
|
99 |
Psammodynastes pulverulentus (Boie, 1827) |
Mock Viper |
1AS, 1AR, 1ML,
1MZ, 2SK, 3TR |
1Ahmed et al. (2009), 2Chettri et al. (2011), 3Purkayastha et al. (2020b) |
LC |
|
|
Family: Pseudoxenodontidae |
|
|
|
|
|
100 |
Pseudoxenodon macrops (Blyth, 1854) |
Mock Cobra |
1,5AS, 2,5AR,
3,5ML, 4,5MZ, 5NL, 5,6SK |
1Smith (1943), 2Borang et al. (2005), 3Mathew (1995), 4Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 5Ao et al. (2004), 6Jha & Thapa (2002) |
LC |
|
|
Family: Pythonidae |
|
|
|
|
|
101 |
Malayopython reticulatus (Schneider, 1801) |
Reticulated Python |
1MZ |
1Lalremsanga et al. (2024) |
LC |
|
102 |
Python bivittatus Kuhl, 1820 |
Burmese Python |
1AS, 2AR, 3ML,
4MZ, 5NL, 6SK, 7TR |
1Purkayastha et al. (2011), 2Borang et al. (2005), 3Mathew (1995), 4Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 5Yanthungbeni et al. (2018), 6Jha & Thapa (2002), 7Purkayastha et al. (2020b) |
VU |
|
|
Family: Sibynophiidae |
|
|
|
|
|
103 |
Sibynophis collaris (Gray, 1853) |
Collared Black-headed Snake |
1,2AR, 2ML,
1,2MZ, 2NL, 2SK |
1Pawar & Birand (2001), 2Ao et al. (2004) |
LC |
|
|
Family: Typhlopidae |
|
|
|
|
|
104 |
Argyrophis bothriorhynchus (Günther, 1864) |
Günther’s Blind Snake |
1AS |
1Smith (1943), |
DD |
|
105 |
Argyrophis diardii (Schlegel, 1839) |
Diard’s Blind Snake |
1,5AS, 1,5AR,
2,5ML, 3,5MN, 4MZ, 5NL, 5,6TR,
7SK |
1Whitaker & Captain (2004), 2Mathew (1995), 3Acharji & Kripalani (1951), 4Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 5Ao et al. (2004), 6Majumder et al. (2012), 7Sinha et al. (2020) |
LC |
|
106 |
Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803) |
Brahminy Blind Snake |
1AS, 1AR, 2ML,
1MZ, 3SK, 4TR |
1Pawar & Birand (2001), 2Mathew (1995), 3Jha & Thapa (2002), 4Purkayastha et al. (2020b) |
LC |
|
107 |
Indotyphlops jerdoni (Boulenger, 1890) |
Jerdon’s Worm Snake |
1,4AR, 2,4ML,
3MZ, 4NL, 5SK |
1Sanyal & Gayen (2006), 2Mathew (1995), 3Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 4Ao et al. (2005) 5Jha & Thapa (2002) |
LC |
|
108 |
Indotyphlops tenuicollis (Peters, 1864) |
Samagutin Worm Snake |
1ML, 2NL |
1Mathew (1995), 2Smith (1943) |
DD |
|
|
Family: Viperidae |
|
|
|
|
|
109 |
Daboia russelii (Shaw & Nodder,
1797) |
Russell’s Viper |
1AS, 2MN, 3SK |
1Nath et al. (2019), 2Acharji & Kripalani (1951), 3Jha & Thapa (2002) |
LC |
|
110 |
Ovophis monticola (Günther, 1864) |
Mountain Pit Viper |
1AS, 1AR, 1ML,
1MN, 2MZ, 1NL, 1SK |
1Whitaker & Captain (2004) 2Lalremsanga et al. (2011), |
LC |
|
111 |
Ovophis zayuensis (Jiang, 1977) |
Zayuan Mountain Pit Viper |
1AR |
1Gerard et al. (2024) |
LC |
|
112 |
Protobothrops himalayanus Pan, Chettri, Yang,
Jiang, Wang, Zhang & Vogel, 2013 |
Himalayan Pit Viper |
1SK |
1Pan et al. (2013) |
LC |
|
113 |
Protobothrops jerdonii (Günther, 1875) |
Jerdon’s Pit Viper |
1AR, 2ML, 3MN,
4NL, 5SK |
1Borang et al. (2005), 2Mathew (1995) 3Elangbam et al. (2023), 4Ao et al. (2004) 5Jha & Thapa (2002) |
LC |
|
114 |
Protobothrops kaulbacki (Smith, 1940) |
Kaulback’s Lance-headed Pit
Viper |
1AR |
1Uetz et al. (2023) |
DD |
|
115 |
Protobothrops mucrosquamatus (Cantor, 1839) |
Brown Spotted Pit Viper |
1AS, 2,3AR, 3MZ,
3NL |
1Dutta et al. (2024), 2Borang et al. (2005), 3Ao et al. (2004) |
LC |
|
116 |
Trimeresurus arunachalensis Captain, Deepak,
Pandit, Bhatt & Athreya, 2019 |
Arunachal Pit Viper |
1AR |
1Captain et al. (2019) |
DD |
|
117 |
Trimeresurus erythrurus (Cantor, 1839) |
Red-tailed Pit Viper |
1AR, 2ML, 3MN,
4MZ, 5NL, 5,6SK, 7TR |
1Borang et al. (2005), 2Mathew (1995) 3Elangbam et al. (2023), 4Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 5Whitaker & Captain (2004) 6Jha & Thapa (2002), 7Purkayastha et al. (2020b) |
LC |
|
118 |
Trimeresurus mayaae Rathee,
Purkayastha, Lalremsanga, Dalal, Biakzuala, Muansanga & Mirza, 2022 |
Maya’s Pit Viper |
1MN, 2MZ |
1Elangbam et al. (2023), 2Rathee et al. (2022) |
NA |
|
119 |
Trimeresurus medoensis Zhao, 1977 |
Green Bamboo Leaf Pit Viper |
1AR |
1David et al. (2001) |
DD |
|
120 |
Trimeresurus popeiorum Smith,
1937 |
Pope’s Green Pit Viper |
1AR, 2ML, 3MZ,
4SK |
1Borang et al. (2005), 2Mathew (1995), 3Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 4Jha & Thapa (2002) |
LC |
|
121 |
Trimeresurus salazar Mirza, Bhosale,
Phansalkar, Sawant, Gowande & Patel, 2020 |
Salazar’s Pit Viper |
1, 4AS, 1, 4AR,
2, 4ML, 3MN, 4MZ, 4NL, 4SK,
5TR |
1Mirza et al. (2020), 2Rathee et al. (2021), 3Elangbam et al. (2023) 4Vogel et al. (2022), 5Chowdhury et al. (2024) |
NA |
|
122 |
Trimeresurus uetzi Vogel, Nguyen &
David, 2023 |
Uetz’s Pit Viper |
1MZ |
1Biakzuala et al. (2024) |
NA |
|
|
Family: Xenodermidae |
|
|
|
|
|
123 |
Blythia hmuifang Vogel, Lalremsanga
& Vanlalhrima, 2017 |
Mizoram Ground Snake |
1MZ |
1Vogel et al. (2017) |
DD |
|
124 |
Blythia reticulata (Blyth, 1854) |
Blyth’s Reticulated Snake |
1AS, 2AR, 3ML,
1MN, 4MZ, 5NL |
1Smith (1943), 2Borang et al. (2005), 3Mathew (1995), 4Lalremsanga et al. (2011), 5Ao et al. (2004) |
DD |
|
125 |
Stoliczkia khasiensis Jerdon, 1870 |
Khasi Earth Snake |
1,2ML |
1Smith (1943), 2Mathew (1995) |
DD |
|
126 |
Stoliczkia vanhnuailianai Lalronunga,
Lalhmangaiha, Zosangliana, Lalhmingliani, Gower, Das & Deepak, 2021 |
Lushai Hills Dragon Snake |
1MZ |
1Lalronunga et al. (2021b) |
NA |
The numbers 1, 2, 3… in the
‘Reference’ column correspond with the numbers assigned to the states listed in
the ‘Distribution in northeastern states’ column, confirming the presence of
the species in those states.
AR—Arunachal Pradesh | AS—Assam |
DD—Data Deficient | LC—Least Concern | ML—Meghalaya | MN—Manipur | MZ—Mizoram |
NA—Not Assessed | NL—Nagaland | NT—Near Threatened | SK—Sikkim | TR—Tripura |
VU—Vulnerable.
For
figure – click here for full PDF
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