India (Commonwealth Union)_ A remarkable discovery in the Himalayas has led to the identification of a new genus and species of snake, which was named ‘Anguiculus dicaprioi’ in honor of the esteemed Hollywood actor and environmental activist, Leonardo DiCaprio. Known for his roles in iconic films like Titanic, DiCaprio has been a fervent advocate for environmental conservation, making the naming decision particularly deserving. This announcement was made by researchers, highlighting both the scientific significance of the find and the actor’s commitment to raising awareness about critical environmental issues.
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The newly discovered snake species inhabits a range that stretches from central Nepal to the Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh. Another related species, ‘Anguiculus rappii’, has been identified in Sikkim, Bhutan, and Arunachal Pradesh. Both species have been observed primarily between late May and August, with little known about their biology and behaviors during other times of the year. Notably, ‘Anguiculus rappii’ has become increasingly rare, having not been recorded in over two decades. The first specimen of ‘Anguiculus dicaprioi’ was discovered by Virender Bhardwaj in the backyard of his home in the western Himalayas during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. His curiosity led him to share images of the snake on social media, which sparked widespread interest and initiated a three-year-long investigation into its classification.
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Researchers compared this specimen to the known species ‘Liopeltis rappi’, which inhabits the eastern Himalayas, and discovered significant differences in scale structure and coloration. Further studies included examinations of specimens housed in natural history museums across Europe, the United States, and India. This extensive research revealed that the DNA sequences of the Himachal Pradesh snake did not align with any known genus, prompting researchers to analyze both DNA and morphological data from related species throughout Asia. The findings indicated that while ‘Anguiculus dicaprioi’ shares a lineage with ‘Liopeltis rappi’, it possesses enough distinct characteristics to warrant its classification as a new species, along with the establishment of a novel genus endemic to the Himalayan region.
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Furthermore, the research paper detailing this groundbreaking discovery was authored by an esteemed team that includes Zeeshan A. Mirza from the Max Planck Institute for Biology in Tübingen, Germany, and several other international researchers. It was submitted earlier this year and has since been published in Scientific Reports, a reputed international peer-reviewed journal. The choice of the name ‘dicaprioi’ pays tribute to Leonardo DiCaprio’s relentless efforts in environmental advocacy, particularly regarding climate change and biodiversity loss.
According to the research report, “The specific epithet ‘dicaprioi’ is a patronym honoring Leonardo DiCaprio, who has been actively involved in creating awareness about global climate change, increased biodiversity loss, and human health issues through pollution.” In addition to providing insight into the new snake species, this research has also resolved a long-standing taxonomic confusion concerning the genera Liopeltis and Gongylosoma that had persisted for nearly 180 years. This classification work not only clarifies the status of Himalayan snakes but also underscores the rich, yet poorly documented, herpetofauna of the western Himalayas.
Field surveys conducted in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand suggest that the region’s biodiversity has been significantly underestimated, particularly in terms of its herpetofauna. Together with Jammu and Kashmir, these areas remain some of the least explored in terms of reptile and amphibian biodiversity. The discovery of ‘Anguiculus dicaprioi’ marks an important milestone in the understanding of Himalayan biodiversity and highlights the ongoing need for research and conservation efforts in this ecologically rich but vulnerable region. Additionally, the combination of celebrity recognition and scientific discovery serves as a reminder of the crucial relationship between environmental awareness and the preservation of our planet’s diverse species.
