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A colorful venomous snake discovered in the dry tropical forests of central Vietnam has been identified as a new species. Trimeresurus cyanolabris Its body is bright grass green, its eyes are yellow, its tail is brick red, and its lips, chin and throat are blue, hence it is also known as the blue-lipped green viper.
Feeding on small frogs and lizards, these snakes are most active at dusk and dawn and spend the day perched in branches or tree hollows near streams.
T. cyanolabris is one of 50 closely related Asian pit vipers, distinguishable by their color and small size. Sabira Idiatulina Genetic analysis by researchers at Moscow State University in Russia has confirmed that the snake is a unique, previously unrecognized species, with its closest known relative being the red-eyed snake. Trimeresurus Rubeus.
Genetic methods are more Trimeresurus Venomous snakes are one of the most species-rich groups of venomous snakes, and although they are extremely numerous, the forests in which many of them live are under threat of deforestation.
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Source: www.newscientist.com