A team of scientists led by Professor Bryan Fry from the University of Queensland has made a groundbreaking discovery in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador. They have uncovered a new species of the world’s largest snake, the Green Anaconda.
The new species, named the Northern Green Anaconda (Eunectes akayima), is genetically distinct from its close relative, the Green Anaconda (E. murinus). Despite the two species looking so similar that even experts can’t tell them apart, there is a genetic difference of 5.5%. This is quite significant, especially when you consider that humans differ from chimpanzees by only about 2%.
The Northern Green Anaconda was found in the Bameno region of Baihuaeri Waorani Territory in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The largest snake the team found in Waorani territory was a female anaconda that measured an astounding 6.3 meters (20.8 feet) long. There are anecdotal reports from the Waorani people of other anacondas in the area measuring more than 7.5 meters long and weighing around 500 kilograms.
Ecological Impact
Anacondas are useful sources of information for the ecological health of the area and the potential impacts on human health of oil spills in the region. Some of the snakes they studied in parts of Ecuador were heavily polluted by oil spills, and the anacondas and arapaima fish are accumulating a large amount of the petrochemical metals. This discovery highlights the need for further research and conservation efforts in the region.
This discovery is a significant contribution to our understanding of biodiversity. It underscores the importance of preserving the Amazon rainforest, which is home to a vast array of species, many of which are yet to be discovered.
The discovery was made while filming a National Geographic series called ‘Pole to Pole with Will Smith’, which is streaming on Disney+. The series aims to showcase the diversity and wonder of our planet, and this discovery certainly adds to that narrative.
The discovery of the Northern Green Anaconda, the world’s largest snake species, is a testament to the rich biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest and the importance of its conservation. It also highlights the need for ongoing research to understand the ecological impacts of human activities in the region.
