KAALINGA
: ENVIRONMENT
NEWS:
‘Kaalinga’ will be the scientific name for ‘Kaalinga Sarpa’
WHAT’S
IN THE NEWS?
The Western Ghats king cobra (Ophiophagus kaalinga),
identified after extensive research by Dr. P. Gowri Shankar, is a distinct
species found in southwestern India. It has fewer than 40 bands on its body and
was previously classified under the same species as other king cobras across
Asia.
Ophiophagus
kaalinga
- Common Name: The Western
Ghats king cobra is locally known as Kalinga Sarpa in Kannada.
- Scientific Name: Ophiophagus
kaalinga.
- Discovery: This species was identified
after nearly a decade of research led by renowned herpetologist Dr. P.
Gowri Shankar. The research culminated in the official recognition of this
distinct species of king cobra.
Habitat
- Geographical Range: The Western
Ghats king cobra is native to the Western Ghats mountain
range, which spans across southwestern India, covering Tamil Nadu,
Kerala, Karnataka, Goa,
and parts of Maharashtra.
- Ecology: The species thrives in the
dense forests of this region, which are rich in biodiversity.
Physical
Characteristics
Appearance:
- The Western Ghats king cobra has a
blackish-brown body with pale bands, making it distinct from other king
cobra species.
- It has fewer than 40 bands on its
body.
- Its belly is a pale creamy yellow,
providing a contrast to its dark body.
- Size: This species can grow up to 10
feet or more in length, which is consistent with other king cobra
species known for their impressive size.
- Venom: Like other king cobras, it is
venomous, but it is known for preying primarily on other snakes, including
venomous species.
Taxonomy
and Classification
Early Classification:
·
Traditionally,
all king cobras across South and Southeast Asia
were considered a single species (Ophiophagus hannah), first described
in 1836 by Danish naturalist Theodore Edward Cantor.
·
New
Findings:
·
Based
on genetic studies and extensive fieldwork, researchers have now identified four
distinct lineages of king cobras across Asia:
1.
Western
Ghats lineage
(Ophiophagus kaalinga)
2.
Indo-Chinese
lineage
3.
Indo-Malaysian
lineage
4.
Luzon
Island lineage
(Salvatana)
·
This
distinction reflects the diversity of king cobra populations across the region,
which were once thought to be a single species.
Significance
of the Discovery
- Conservation: The
identification of a distinct species in the Western Ghats highlights the biodiversity
of this ecologically significant region. It also opens up avenues for
focused conservation efforts aimed at protecting this unique species,
especially given the threats posed by habitat loss, climate change, and
human-wildlife conflict.
- Research: The decade-long study led by
Dr. P. Gowri Shankar has provided critical insights into the species'
genetic makeup and its differentiation from other king cobra populations.