Sensation in Styria: Discovered new hybrid snake!

Sensation in Styria: Discovered new hybrid snake!

westliche Obersteiermark, Österreich - In Styria there is a reason to be amazed: a completely new type of snake, a hybrid of horn vipers and kreisy, was discovered. The find represents a fascinating breakthrough, since the intersection of these two poison snakes was almost impossible. Experts from the Styrian reptile association came across four copies of these rare hybrids in western Upper Styria, which differ significantly in their appearance. Among other things, the snakes included a brown and a black with a white belly, as the Kronen Zeitung reports.

Special attention is paid to a copy that may be pregnant. Biologist Markus Mossauer had already observed an animal two years ago that showed characteristics of both species. Zoologist Rainer Feser recently secured one of the animals, while the remaining hybrids were brought to a further examination. The fact that an animal could be pregnant arouses great interest among the researchers, because it opens up the possibility of further scientific knowledge about this kind.

unique features of the hybrids

The newly discovered snakes are characterized by a matt -black back drawing and a white belly, combined with features of the horn viper and zigzag patterns. Each of the four discovered snakes has a unique pattern, which underlines the variety of this new species. The exact location remains under lock and key to protect the animals and enable them to observe undisturbed.

Werner Stangl and his team have been committed to researching and protecting snakes for years. The Styrian reptile association is still committed to the rehabilitation of these fascinating reptiles. In addition, this find shows how important the preservation of biodiversity is and what surprises nature is still ready.

research and meaning of hybridization

The discovery of these hybrid reflects a larger biological phenomenon that is also examined in other areas of herpetology. A study of hybrid zones of grass snacks in the Bavarian Priental deals with the genetic interactions between different types of snakes. This study explains that hybridizations are also possible in these types and questions the previous concepts about biological species. It is discussed that hybrids could produce less viable descendants of what the question of when and why hybridizations take place continues to make it exciting.

The research and discovery work related to the hybridization of snakes is a living topic in herpetology and shows how complex nature is. It remains to be seen whether the newly discovered species in Styria will also become a stable population's genetics. Until this is clear, the scientists have to carefully observe the hybrids and to document their unique properties.

This extraordinary discovery in Styria is therefore not only a profit for the local fauna, but also an exciting turning point in research on snake and hybridization, which will certainly result in many other findings.
For more information about the find, click on the items from puls24 and the small time here . Additional scientific contexts for hybridizations can be found in the publications on IDW online here .