Pragati Prava
Wildlife enthusiasts are happy to explore the unlit nooks and crannies of dark, deep forests to experience, from close quarters, the mysterious diversity of life throbbing in them. Naturalists are fired by the passion to delve deep into wildlife like PRATYUSH P MOHAPATRA, a scientist at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) in Jabalpur, who shot to prominence after discovering the rare snake species, Ahaetualla nasuta Anomala (laudankia). In an interview with Sunday POST, the zoologist who hails from Kamakhya Nagar in Dhenkanal shares tidbits of his surprising new findings that came after years of patient and painstaking research. Excerpts:
All Oriyas have heard about the laudankia snake. What is special about your discovery?
The species I discovered had been forgotten after its discovery in 1906, and historically the male and female have been confused as two different species. We validated it as a true species and brought forward the fact that males of the species are green while the females are brown. This phenomenon is called sexual dichromatism – which was earlier not authenticated in Indian snakes. So, now in Orissa we have two species of vine snakes, the common laudankia and the relatively rare vine snake with variable hues.
What are the distinguishing features of Ahaetualla Anomala?
Unlike the common vine snake, which is parrot green in colour with an un-patterned head, the Ahaetualla Anomala has a beautiful marking on its head and, most importantly, the males and females are of different colours. It is mildly venomous and the fangs, or venom-injecting teeth, are seen inside the snake’s mouth. It uses them to paralyse prey, but the species is not potentially dangerous as far as humans are concerned.
Why it is named “variable coloured vine snake”?
We preferred to name it the variable coloured vine snake, as suggested by our friend Ashok Captain, the author of Snakes of India.
How did you discover the new species? How long did it take to complete the research work involved?
It was a cumbersome task to understand the species and we were confused till last year when we performed molecular studies. Initially, we found the snake on the campus of the North Orissa University in Baripada sometime in 2007 and exactly 10 years later we published our findings in April this year.
In Baripada, we found green and brown snakes alongside common vine snakes. We observed that in a particular locality both the green and brown varieties could be spotted. We assumed initially that the brown one must be of another species, but as we carried out a molecular analysis and studied several other factors we concluded that both belonged to one species. It has been a forgotten species or sub-species. We validated it as a species.
Could the new species be utilised for the benefit of humans?
At present it is not possible to predict its utility for the human race, but if we see the larger picture, being a part of the ecosystem, Ahaetualla Anomala may play its part in maintaining biodiversity. Besides, snakes are friends of farmers as they control the rodent population.
As a scientist associated with the ZSI, how do you feel?
I am happy to work as a scientist in a premier institution of taxonomy. It is like a dream come true. There is lot of scope to work on different species in the Indian ecosystem. The ZSI is a good platform for enthusiasts to explore their research prospects.
What are your future research plans and areas of concern?
I will prioritise the assessment and conservation of vertebrate faunal diversity of the Eastern Ghats with special focus on the Orissa part, south of Mahanadi. The Eastern Ghats is one of the least explored and poorly-studied natural landscapes of India which begins from central Orissa, continues through Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, before culminating at the Sirumalai hills. Our focus will be on the assessment of existing data and survey of new areas. We will also make a comparative study on the faunal diversity in protected areas and outside protected areas. After evaluating the status of threatened species, we will chalk out measures for their conservation.
Why are the Eastern Ghats a poorly studied area?
It is evident from the recent findings in various vertebrates. Like in 2014, we prepared a report on the small-clawed otter, a mammal. It is widely distributed across the Eastern Ghats but was not reported. There are nearly 60 threatened fauna in the area.
Ahaetualla Anomala is the first dichromatic snake discovered in India. Do other dichromatic varieties exist elsewhere in the world?
Sexual dichromatism is rare among snakes and until now it is documented in some groups such as vipers (Vipera, Bothrops), Comoran snake and Malagasy leaf-nosed snakes. Polymorphism is commonly seen in various species of snakes which varies from minor to dramatic colour changes. In one of our earlier papers we discussed about polymorphism in Forstein’s cat snake. Similar cases are also recorded in other Indian snakes like the Bronzeback and Schokari Sand Racer found in the Western Ghats.
Are your hobbies allied to your chief interests as a zoologist?
I am a born naturalist and have developed a keen perception of nature over the years. I used to wander through the forests of Dhenkanal and Kamakhya Nagar when I was a kid and visited almost all the forests of Orissa. Wildlife photography is an allied passion. My career as a zoologist sprang from my interest in nature and animals.
