The green anaconda, also known as the boa species, is the main inhabitant of South America. It reaches a length of 7 meters and weighs up to 250 kg. Scientists have surprised the scientific world by discovering that there is not only one but… There are two species of this giant snake, although they both look almost identical.
Brian J. said: “It was a surprise, but in hindsight it wasn't meant to be,” Fry, a professor of toxicology at the University of Queensland and a researcher on the project, told Newsweek.
– Notice.
Fry was amazed at how genetically different the two species were, even though their outward appearance was identical. They differ by up to 5.5%, while the difference between humans and chimpanzees is only 2%. Furthermore, scientists have shown that these two species of green anacondas diverged approximately 10 million years ago.
A new type of snake. The search lasted 20 years
Over the course of a 20-year study, scientists examined anaconda specimens from nine countries and discovered “two genetically distinct species.” The first is the well-known species Eunectes murinus, also known as the southern green anaconda, which lives in Peru, Bolivia, French Guiana and Brazil. The second species, which was discovered recently, is Eunectes akayima, the northern green anaconda, which lives in Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.
This discovery has major implications for nature conservation. As Fry notes, The Amazon region has been hit by a catastrophic drought, with large animals such as the green anaconda affected. Scientists point out that these giant snakes are extremely important to the local ecosystem and extremely sensitive to climate change.
Despite its terrifying size, the green anaconda It is not considered dangerous to humans. They are grippers, using their extremely strong bodies to strangle and kill prey before swallowing it whole.
Source: Newsweek
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