World's largest snake 'Eunectes Akayima' found in Amazon rainforest

The green anaconda is a massive and mysterious snake that lives in the Amazon rainforest. A new study, published in the journal MDPI, reveals that this snake is composed of two different species that have large genetic differences. This finding poses a new challenge for the conservation of this forest’s top predator.

World's largest snake

The green anaconda is one of the longest and heaviest snakes in the world. It mainly lives in the wetlands and rivers of South America, where it hunts large animals by wrapping its powerful body around them and squeezing them to death. It then swallows them whole.

The researchers discovered that the two anaconda species are very distinct genetically, which is unusual for such large reptiles.

The conservation of the green anaconda needs to be revised, to protect both species from threats such as climate change, habitat loss and pollution. The study also shows that there is a lot to learn about the diversity of life on Earth before it is too late.

There are four known species of anaconda, including the green anaconda, which is also called the giant anaconda. The biggest females of the green anaconda can reach over seven meters in length and weigh over 250 kilograms.

The snakes are well suited for an aquatic lifestyle. Their eyes and nostrils are on the top of their heads, so they can stay mostly underwater and wait for prey. They have an olive color with black spots, which helps them camouflage in their environment.

The snakes live in the rich and complex water systems of the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America. They are smart, patient and agile. The water supports their weight and allows them to move fast and catch prey such as capybaras (huge rodents), caimans (crocodile-like reptiles) and deer.

Green anaconda not venomous

The green anaconda is not venomous. It uses its large and flexible jaws to grab prey and then coils its body around it and crushes it.

The green anaconda is a key predator in its ecosystem. It affects not only its prey, but also other species that change their behavior because of the snake’s presence. They influence how and where other animals feed, breed and migrate.

The green anaconda is very sensitive to environmental changes. Healthy populations of the snake mean a healthy ecosystem with plenty of food and clean water. If the number of the snakes decline, it may indicate an environmental problem. Therefore, it is important to know how many species of anaconda there are and how they are doing.

There has been little research on the genetic differences between anaconda species, according to the researcher. The goal of their study was to fill this gap.

The researchers studied samples of all anaconda species from nine countries where they live.

The study took about 20 years. Some important samples came from a 2022 expedition to the Bameno area of the Baihueri Waorani region in Ecuador.

The researcher said they collected data such as the type and location of the habitat, and the rainfall patterns. They also took tissue and blood samples from each snake and analyzed them in the lab. They found out that the green anaconda, which was thought to be one species, is two different species.

Green anaconda split into two species

The green anaconda, traditionally thought to be one species, has been discovered to comprise two distinct species: Eunectes murinus, known as the "southern green anaconda," inhabiting Peru, Bolivia, French Guiana, and Brazil, and Eunectes akayima, or the "northern green anaconda," found in Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.

Research pinpointed the split of the green anaconda into two species approximately 10 million years ago. Despite their strikingly similar appearances and lack of apparent geographical barriers, genetic analysis revealed a surprising 5.5% difference between the two species, far exceeding the genetic gap between humans and apes.

This discovery carries significant implications for species conservation, particularly for the newly identified northern green anaconda. While both species have historically been managed as a single entity, they likely occupy distinct ecological niches and face different threats.

To ensure the preservation of both species, tailored conservation strategies are essential. These may involve implementing new legal protections, habitat preservation initiatives, and measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change, deforestation, and pollution.

The research underscores the complexities inherent in biodiversity conservation and highlights the importance of incorporating genetic classification into conservation planning to safeguard Earth's intricate web of life.

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