Aizawl, Aug. 7 -- A professor from the Zoology Department of Mizoram University (MZU), along with his research scholar and their colleagues, has discovered a new species of snake, Smithophis laptofasciatus, in Mizoram.

The discovery followed an extensive study of the snake's scales, morphological features, and DNA during herpetological expeditions, according to Prof. HT Lalremsanga, head of the Zoology Department at MZU.

The groundbreaking research was published on August 5 in the international scientific journal Taprobanica: The Journal of Asian Biodiversity, Prof. Lalremsanga confirmed.

To date, five species of Smithophis have been identified worldwide, with most found in India's northeast and neighbouring regions. Of these five, two...