Trimeresurus cyanolabris. ©Nikolay A. Poyarkov.
Researchers have discovered a new species of snake in the southern and central coastal areas of Vietnam. Dubbed the “blue-lipped green pitviper”, Trimeresurus cyanolabris has a bright grass-green body, yellow eyes, a brick-red tail and blue lips, chin and throat. While males have a ventrolateral stripe faintly present on the first few dorsal scale rows, this is absent in females.
Initially, researchers thought the snake belonged to a known species however a closer look revealed its unique features. Specifically, the distinctive blue colour found on its lips, chin and throat, and its overall smaller size. They therefore named the species cyanolabris, derived from the Latin words cyaneus (deep blue) and labrum (lip).
The blue-lipped green pitviper is the 50th recognised species of Trimeresurus and is currently known to inhabit low- to mid-elevations in tropical forests. Although the snake has only been found in southern and central Vietnam, researchers anticipate it is more widespread.
Habitat of Trimeresurus cyanolabris in Nui Chua NP, Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam. ©A. M. Bragin.
News publications New Scientist, Reptiles Magazine and Miami Herald reported on the discovery from the research team which included Tan Van Nguyen, who received a 1st Rufford Small Grant in 2023 for his project exploring the herpetofauna of Dakrong Nature Reserve in Central Vietnam. During that project, he identified almost triple the number of amphibian and reptile species counted by prior studies. These data were used as part of the team’s research, exemplifying the scientific rewards that can be reaped when students and early career researchers are supported through small grants.
In December 2024, Tan received a 2nd Rufford Small Grant with which he aims to complete current data on the conservation status of wolf snakes from central Vietnam and Asia.
Reflecting on the team’s discovery, Tan says “In a short period of time our team and international collaborators have described six new species to science, and recorded new distribution areas of many species for countries in the Indo-Buma region. We have also made recommendations to limit conflicts between humans and vipers, with our results supporting toxinology research.”
He adds, “Rufford Small Grants are much needed and useful for young researchers from countries such as Vietnam where resources for biodiversity research are currently limited. This support can lead to the publication of research results, improved capacity of our team members, and increased awareness of conservation among management agencies and local communities.”
Report at Duy Tan University on research on genus Trimenesurus. ©Ho Viet Hieu.
Well done to Tan and his colleagues for stacking up our reptile knowledge, snake by snake.
Read the full research report, A new species of green pitviper of the Trimeresurus macrops complex (Reptilia: Serpentes: Viperidae) from South Central Coastal Region of Vietnam on ResearchGate and additional coverage on the Duy Tan University website (Vietnamese).
