First record of a melanistic Andaman Krait (Bungarus andamanensis) in Chidiya Tapu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: T he Andaman Krait (Bungarus andamanensis), anAndaman Island endemic, is a nocturnal and secretive venomous species found in a variety of natural and humanaltered habitats, where it preys primarily on other snakes (Whitaker and Captain 2004).Its distinctive appearance is characterized by its glossy black to brown dorsum marked by 39-47 white or yellowish bands that encircle its body at regular intervals (Whitaker and Captain 2004) (Fig. 1).We herein report a recent sighting of a melanistic individual (Fig. 1) from Chidiya Tapu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.At 2130 h on 13 April 2024, NV encountered a large black snake ~ 90 cm total length) along a forest trail near a freshwater pond in the vicinity of Chidiya Tapu, South Andamans.Based on the characteristic and distinctive hexagonal vertebral scales (Gopalkrishnakone and Chou 1990), it was clearly a species of Bungarus.Its most striking feature, however, was the near-total absence of the typical white or yellow bands that are otherwise characteristic of Andaman Kraits.The snake's uniform dark color suggests it was a melanistic Bungarus andamanensis.To the best of our knowledge, this is the first record of a melanistic Bungarus andamanensis.Melanism (i.e., hyperpigmentation of melanin; Borteiro et al. 2021) has been documented in many species, including reptiles (e.g., Gibson and Falls 1979;Lorioux et al. 2008;Jagar andOstanek 2011), andKing (1988) speculated that island populations could harbor more melanistic individuals due to the isolated nature of those populations and the resultant restrictions in gene flow.
Source: Reptiles & Amphibians
Authors: Nariman Vazifdar, Monowar Alam Khalid
Institution: Integral University
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4416385683