Five dazzling new species of eyelash vipers discovered in Colombia and Ecuador

A group of scientists led by Khamai Foundation researchers have discovered five dazzling new species of eyelash vipers in the jungles and cloud forests of Colombia and Ecuador. This discovery was made official in a study published in Evolutionary systematics.

Before this research, the new captivating vipers, now recognized as some of the most alluring ever found, were mistakenly classified as part of a single and highly variable species ranging from Mexico to northwest Peru. The decade-long study began with an unexpected incident in which one of the authors was bitten by one of these previously unknown species.

Eyelash vipers are distinguished by a distinctive feature: a set of enlarged, spine-shaped scales positioned at the top of their eyes. These “cilia” give snakes a fearsome and fierce appearance, but the true purpose of this feature remains unknown. What is certain, however, is that certain populations have longer, more stylized eyelashes than others. Variations in the condition of the cilia have led researchers to hypothesize the existence of undiscovered species.

Eyelash vipers are also famous for another characteristic: they are polychrome. The same patch of rainforest may contain individuals of the turquoise morph, moss morph, or gold morph, all belonging to the same species despite completely different clothing. “No two individuals have the same coloring, even those belonging to the same litter (yes, they give birth to live young),” explains Alejandro Arteaga, who led the study.

For some species, there is a “Christmas” form, a ghost form, and even a purple form, with the different varieties coexisting and sometimes breeding with each other. The reason for these incredible color variations is still unknown, but it likely allows the vipers to occupy a wide range of ambush perches, from mossy branches to bright yellow heliconia.

Three of the five new species are endemic to the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia, where they occupy cloud forests and coffee plantations. One of them, the Rahim’s Eyelash Pitviper, stands out for its presence in the isolated and virgin rainforest of Chocó, on the border between Colombia and Ecuador, an area considered “complex to visit” due to the presence of drug cartels.

The Hussain’s eyelash viper occurs in the forests of southwest Ecuador and far northwest Peru. Researchers emphasize the importance of conservation and research in the Andes and its valleys due to its biogeographic importance and undiscovered megadiversity.

“The venom of some (perhaps all?) of the new species of vipers is considerably less lethal and hemorrhagic than that of the typical Central American eyelash viper,” explains Lucas Bustamante, co-author of the study. Lucas was bitten on the finger by Rahim’s Eyelash Pitviper while taking his photos during a research expedition in 2013.

“I experienced intermittent local pain, dizziness and swelling, but recovered shortly after receiving three doses of antivenom in less than two hours after the bite, without leaving a scar,” says Bustamante.

One of the main findings of the study is that four of the species in the group face a high risk of extinction. Their geographic range is extremely limited and 50 to 80% of their habitat has already been destroyed. There is therefore an urgent need to act quickly to save the remaining habitat.

Two of the new species of vipers, Rahim’s eyelash viper (Bothriechis rahimi) and Hussain’s eyelash viper (B. hussaini), are named in honor of Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Prince Rahim Aga Khan, respectively, recognition of their support for the protection of threatened global biodiversity around the world through Focused On Nature (FON) and the Aga Khan Development Network.

The Shah’s Eyelash Pitviper (B. rasikusumorum) honors the Shah family, while the Klebba’s Eyelash Pitviper (B. klebbai) and Khwarg’s Eyelash Pitviper (B. khwargi) honor Casey Klebba and Dr. Juewon Khwarg, respectively for their support. the discovery and conservation of new species.

The Khamai Foundation is creating a reserve to protect a sixth new species not described in this study.

“The need to protect eyelash vipers is essential, because unlike other snakes, they cannot survive without adequate canopy cover. Their beauty, while worthy of celebration, must also be protected and carefully monitored, as poachers are known to target charismatic tree vipers for the illegal exotic pet trade,” Arteaga warns.

Finally, he and his team encourage support for research into the venom components of new viper species. This will promote their conservation and help communities that regularly encounter eyelash vipers.