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New Species Discovered in the Galapagos Islands

September, 2018

In a time when new discoveries in the animal kingdom seem rare, not one, but three new species of snake have been discovered in Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands.

 

A team of scientists from Ecuador, Brazil, and Argentina studying the archipelago’s concentration of snakes made the discovery. Scientists compared the slithering beast’s genome, identifying the new species on Rabida, Tortuga, Isabela, Fernandina, and Santiago islands. Officially named Pseudalsophis thomasi, Pseudalsophis hephestus y Pseudalsophis darwini, this discovery has reinforced the conclusion that Galapagos snakes originated in continental South America, expanding to the islands 4.4 million years ago.

 

While not the cuddliest addition to a Galapagos animal roster that includes penguins, blue footed boobies, frigate birds, and albatross, the ability of these three species to remain undiscovered in one of the most studied natural biospheres in the world reminds us that nature, and the Galapagos in particular, can never be taken for granted.

 

As in other parts of the world, the snakes are more likely to slither away from the intruding vibrations of visitors than pose for pictures, but their discovery proves that the Galapagos Islands to this day still have secrets to reveal.

 

Goway Travel offers a wide range of Galapagos Islands adventures and cruises. Globetrotters can see soaring frigate birds, lumbering tortoises, and frolicking sea lions, and just maybe come across a new sight or sound the Galapagos has kept hidden for millennia.

 

For reservations and information, visit Goway.com, or call 1-800-387-8850.

In a time when new discoveries in the animal kingdom seem rare, not one, but three new species of snake have been discovered in Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands.

 

A team of scientists from Ecuador, Brazil, and Argentina studying the archipelago’s concentration of snakes made the discovery. Scientists compared the slithering beast’s genome, identifying the new species on Rabida, Tortuga, Isabela, Fernandina, and Santiago islands. Officially named Pseudalsophis thomasi, Pseudalsophis hephestus y Pseudalsophis darwini, this discovery has reinforced the conclusion that Galapagos snakes originated in continental South America, expanding to the islands 4.4 million years ago.

 

While not the cuddliest addition to a Galapagos animal roster that includes penguins, blue footed boobies, frigate birds, and albatross, the ability of these three species to remain undiscovered in one of the most studied natural biospheres in the world reminds us that nature, and the Galapagos in particular, can never be taken for granted.

 

As in other parts of the world, the snakes are more likely to slither away from the intruding vibrations of visitors than pose for pictures, but their discovery proves that the Galapagos Islands to this day still have secrets to reveal.

 

Goway Travel offers a wide range of Galapagos Islands adventures and cruises. Globetrotters can see soaring frigate birds, lumbering tortoises, and frolicking sea lions, and just maybe come across a new sight or sound the Galapagos has kept hidden for millennia.

 

For reservations and information, visit Goway.com, or call 1-800-387-8850.

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