A new species of Aspidura Wagler, 1830 (Squamata: Colubridae: Natricinae) from Sri Pada sanctuary (Peak Wilderness), Sri Lanka

Researchers have identified a new species of snake, Aspidura ravanai, from the Sri Pada sanctuary in Sri Lanka's central highlands. This discovery, the eighth species of its genus known in the country, distinguishes itself through unique color patterns, scalation, and genetic makeup. Molecular analysis suggests that the genus Aspidura began diversifying during the Miocene epoch, around 18 million years ago, with A. ravanai diverging from its likely sister species, A. trachyprocta, at least 6.2 million years ago. The new species is currently known only from its type locality on the western slopes of Sri Pada Peak, highlighting the region's significant biodiversity.

WICKRAMASINGHE, L. J. M., VIDANAPATHIRANA, D. R., KANDAMBI, H. K. D., PYRON, R. A., & WICKRAMASINGHE, N. (2017). A new species of Aspidura Wagler, 1830 (Squamata: Colubridae: Natricinae) from Sri Pada sanctuary (Peak Wilderness), Sri Lanka. Zootaxa, 4347(2). https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4347.2.4