In 2023, the field of herpetology was stunned by the discovery of a unique new snake species, Trimeresurus ciliaris, in the karst or limestone regions of Trang and Satun provinces, Thailand, not far from the Malaysia border.
This area is known for its humid tropical forest ecosystem and rich biodiversity, yet still holds many biological mysteries yet to be uncovered.
The discovery began with observations of four similar snakes found in an area of dense forest with large limestone rocks.
After morphological and genetic examinations, scientists concluded that these snakes represented an entirely new species, never before recorded in scientific literature.
The newly discovered snake was named Trimeresurus ciliaris. The name derives from the Latin word cilium, meaning "eyelash," referring to the small scales above its eyes that resemble human eyelashes. This unique feature became the snake's most striking characteristic.
This discovery was published in the journal Vertebrate Zoology.
Trimeresurus Ciliaris, A Thai Green Viper with a Twist
Visually, T. ciliaris is striking and beautiful. Its slender body measures about 43 cm (17 inches) in length and is a vibrant emerald green, adorned with reddish-brown crossbands along its back.
Its triangular head features olive-green eyes, but the main attraction lies in the small supraocular scales above its eyes, which resemble eyelashes—giving it a nearly "cute" appearance for a venomous snake.
This snake was discovered in a moist, moss-covered limestone forest environment, with a highly specific microhabitat. The discovery locations include the Palian District in Trang and the Thale Ban National Park area in Satun.
According to research, it is possible that this snake also inhabits the neighboring country of Malaysia, specifically in the state of Perlis, which shares a similar landscape. However, its presence in that region has yet to be confirmed through direct research.
Venomous, Yet Still Unknown
As a member of the Viperidae family, Trimeresurus ciliaris is classified as a venomous snake. However, since it is a newly identified species, information about the strength and effects of its venom on humans remains very limited.
Generally, snakes in the Trimeresurus genus have hemotoxic venom, which damages tissues and interferes with the blood clotting system. Therefore, the potential danger posed by this snake should not be underestimated.
Researcher Poyarkov, one of the lead authors of the study, revealed that the snake consumed small frogs and geckos during captivity observations. However, its natural diet in the wild habitat is still not well understood.
This indicates that many ecological aspects of this snake still require further research.
A Genetic Connection
Molecular research has shown that T. ciliaris is genetically related to Trimeresurus venustus. However, there is a significant genetic difference of approximately 12.5% in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene.
This difference is enough to classify it as a separate species within the Trimeresurus genus.
In addition to the scale patterns and body coloration, this identification is also supported by examinations of its reproductive organ structure.
A New Chapter in Biodiversity
The discovery of this species opens up important opportunities for biodiversity studies in Southeast Asia, particularly in the context of conserving often-overlooked limestone habitats.
Besides adding to the global list of snake species, the discovery of Trimeresurus ciliaris serves as a reminder that the Earth still holds many incredible forms of life yet to be discovered.
