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Scientists have identified a new-to-science, reddish-brown snake from specimens found in the forests of Papua New Guinea\u00a0<\/span> and named it after Slash, the lead guitarist of the rock band Guns N\u2019 Roses.<\/p>\n Slash\u2019s groundsnake (Lielaphis slashi<\/em>) is the twentieth species to be confirmed within the genus Lielaphis<\/em>, a group of groundsnakes found primarily on the island of New Guinea \u2013 which is split between Papua New Guinea in the east and Indonesia in the west, the researchers reported in a recent study<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n The snake\u2019s name honors the musician Saul Hudson, professionally known as \u201cSlash\u201d, of Guns N\u2019 Roses, for his lifelong promotion and advocacy of snakes, zoos, and museums, the authors write.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a long-time herpephile, I am extremely honored and humbled to have Lielaphis slashi<\/em> from New Guinea named after me,\u201d Slash said in a press release<\/a><\/span>. \u201cIt is really exciting, I never would have imagined this moment would arrive.\u201d<\/p>\n Slash\u2019s groundsnake has a reddish-brown, unpatterned back and an unmarked white or cream underside.<\/p>\n Study co-author Christopher Austin, professor of natural science and curator of amphibians and reptiles at Louisiana State University in the U.S., first found the snake in July 2006 in a largely undisturbed secondary forest in Sandaun Province, Papua New Guinea.<\/p>\n \u201cSnakes in general are pretty hard to find, and these nocturnal snakes are especially challenging to find,\u201d Austin told Mongabay by email. \u201cGiven that there are several venomous snake species in New Guinea, one needs to be especially careful finding these snakes at night.\u201d<\/p>\n Austin added that when he found the first individuals of Slash\u2019s groundsnake, he thought it was a species that was already scientifically described.<\/p>\n The individuals were initially labeled as Lielaphis parvus<\/em>, but subsequent genetic analysis suggested it was an undescribed species.<\/p>\n Austin said that his team then analyzed the specimens\u2019 physical characteristics, including their scales, and compared them with those of other known Lielaphis<\/em> species. The analysis confirmed the 2006 specimens indeed belonged to a distinct species.<\/p>\n \u201cThese snakes have a very conserved color pattern and without close examination of the scales and other morphology the New Guinea species are hard to tell apart,\u201d Austin said.<\/p>\n Since New Guinea\u2019s groundsnakes look highly similar, have secretive nocturnal habits, and a complex taxonomic history, Lielaphis<\/em> groundsnakes have remained poorly understood, leaving a high potential for species that are yet to be formally described, the authors write.<\/p>\n They add that very little is known about the natural history of the newly described species. Furthermore, while New Guinea is widely recognized as a biologically diverse hotspot, its unique wildlife faces immediate threats from timber harvesting and industrial plantations, the authors write.<\/p>\n \u201cThe habitats that Slash\u2019s groundsnake is from are under threat from industries like coffee farming and mining,\u201d study co-author Sara Ruane, the Field Museum\u2019s Associate Curator of Herpetology, said in the press release. \u201cThat\u2019s part of why describing the species that live there is important.<\/p>\n Banner image<\/em><\/strong> of the new species of snake, L. slashi. Image courtesy of <\/em>Chris Austin<\/em><\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n
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