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Australia`s blind snakes slither into species book
Scientists have added dozens of Australian species to the family of small worm-like snakes called Scolecophidia, which are some of the least-understood creatures on Earth.
Paris: Scientists have added dozens of Australian species to the family of small worm-like snakes called Scolecophidia, which are some of the least-understood creatures on Earth.
Researchers from France, Australia and the United States analysed the genomes of 741 animals from 27 recognised species in a subgroup known as Australian blind snakes. The data suggest the number of species is "at least two times the current number of recognised, nominal species," said a summary of the results, published in the Biological Journal of the Linnean Society.
Snakes are divided into two major groups: Scolecophidia, which are generally less than 30 centimetres long, and the more common Alethinophidia, which include boas, pythons, cobras and vipers.
There were previously 3,432 recognised species, according to a joint statement by France`s CNRS national research centre and National Museum of Natural History. Of these, there were 402 known species of Scolecophidia. But the new findings suggest the sub-group of blind snakes alone may have between 29 and 65 hitherto unknown types.
"If this pattern were to repeat on a global scale, it would mean that the number of recognised Scolecophidia species is between 830 and 1,370 species instead of the current 402," said the statement.
AFP
Researchers from France, Australia and the United States analysed the genomes of 741 animals from 27 recognised species in a subgroup known as Australian blind snakes. The data suggest the number of species is "at least two times the current number of recognised, nominal species," said a summary of the results, published in the Biological Journal of the Linnean Society.
Snakes are divided into two major groups: Scolecophidia, which are generally less than 30 centimetres long, and the more common Alethinophidia, which include boas, pythons, cobras and vipers.
There were previously 3,432 recognised species, according to a joint statement by France`s CNRS national research centre and National Museum of Natural History. Of these, there were 402 known species of Scolecophidia. But the new findings suggest the sub-group of blind snakes alone may have between 29 and 65 hitherto unknown types.
"If this pattern were to repeat on a global scale, it would mean that the number of recognised Scolecophidia species is between 830 and 1,370 species instead of the current 402," said the statement.
AFP