Dr. Rivas has spent 32 years studying the Anaconda. “The Northern Green Anaconda, also known as Eunectes akayima, represents a remarkable addition to the biodiversity of South America,” he said. “Its range stretches from northern parts of the continent, including Venezuela, Columbia, Suriname, French Guyana, and likely the northern part of Brazil.” Dr. Rivas also had the honor of naming the species. “The name is taken from the Carib Indians of Venezuela and it roughly translates to ‘The Great Snake,’” he said.
“The importance of this discovery goes beyond the identification of a new species,” Dr. Rivas said. “The addition of the Northern Green Anaconda challenges and expands our understanding of anaconda taxonomy and evolution. The study sheds light on the intricate relationships between different anaconda species, such as the Green Anaconda and the Yellow Anaconda, and redefines our perception of their evolutionary history.”
“Our discovery of this previously unknown species of green anaconda evolving secretly for millions of years is so important for the conservation community,” Dr. Corey-Rivas said. “Each anaconda species needs careful evaluation for conservation value and threats to its future existence. For countries and indigenous sovereign territories with the newly designated species, it is a renewed call to action to care for the land and its biodiversity in order to sustain this amazing top predator. This is kind of a wake-up call to get busy studying more of the diversity of South America.”
This publication marks a milestone in anaconda research and will serve as a cornerstone for future investigations into the biodiversity and evolution of South America’s iconic Giant Anacondas.
Source link : https://www.nmhu.edu/nmhu-researchers-discover-new-species-of-giant-anaconda-in-south-america/
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Publish date : 2024-02-24 21:11:32
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