MSc. Nguyen Van Tan (DTU Center for Insects & Parasitology) has discovered a new snake species, Protobothrops flavirostris (Vang Vieng pit viper), and published the findings in the journal Herpetozoa (ISI, Q2).
The study, titled "A New Species of Pit Viper Related to the Karst Ecosystem (Squamata, Viperidae, Protobothrops) from Laos," conducted by the Center for Insects & Parasitology and scientists from Russia, the UK, Thailand, and Laos, clarifies the biodiversity of Indochina while highlighting the environmental threats that call for urgent conservation measures for the Vang Vieng pit viper.
In October 2024, the research team conducted a field survey in Khan Kham Cave, Vang Vieng District, Vientiane Province, Laos, after an expedition group posted images of the mysterious snake on social media. With distinctive morphological features and a geographically isolated location, MSc. Nguyen Van Tan’s team suspected this could be an unrecorded and unclassified species.
Using the first and only available specimen, the team analyzed its morphology and conducted genetic testing, confirming that it was a completely new species, named Protobothrops flavirostris, the Vang Vieng pit viper.
The discovery and publication of the Vang Vieng pit viper by MSc. Nguyen Van Tan’s team. Photo: DTU
The mysteries surrounding this snake were gradually uncovered during the research process. The Vang Vieng pit viper belongs to the Protobothrops genus (head-horned pit vipers) and has unique morphological features that make it easy to distinguish from other pit vipers in the region.
Its snout is brightly orange-yellow, a rare trait in the pit viper family. The scale structure includes 215 ventral scales, 79 subcaudal scales (divided), and lacks a scale on the eyelid, distinguishing it from other pit viper species in the same genus. Its back and tail are brown or gray-brown with dark reddish-brown cross-shaped spots bordered by black, forming a zigzag pattern along the body.
The Vang Vieng pit viper likely resides primarily in limestone caves, adapting to humid environments and potentially being nocturnal. Like many other pit vipers, it uses ambush hunting methods.
MSc. Nguyen Van Tan explained that, genetically, the team compared Protobothrops flavirostris with other species in the same genus and found a 7.8% genetic difference from Protobothrops kelomohy, another pit viper species in northern Thailand.
"This difference is large enough to classify the Vang Vieng pit viper as a completely new species within the Protobothrops genus. This discovery significantly contributes to expanding our understanding of the biodiversity of the Indochina region," he added.
MSc. Nguyen Van Tan at the DTU Center for Insects & Parasitology
Currently, the Vang Vieng pit viper is found in a small area in Vang Vieng (Laos) at an elevation of about 362 meters above sea level. However, this venomous snake faces serious threats from several factors.
Among them, limestone mining for cement production and mining activities are significantly shrinking the snake’s habitat. Bat hunting, a crucial food source for the Vang Vieng pit viper, also directly affects the food chain.
Additionally, tourism development in the area disrupts the ecosystem. As an endemic species of the northwest limestone mountains of Laos, the Vang Vieng pit viper, with its vibrant colors, could become a target for wildlife traffickers, increasing the risk of population decline.
Due to the high extinction risk, the research team has proposed adding the Vang Vieng pit viper to the "Endangered" (EN) category of the IUCN Red List, urging for immediate conservation actions.
MSc. Nguyen Van Tan emphasized that the discovery of this new pit viper species not only expands our understanding of the region’s biodiversity but also highlights the urgent need for toxicology research to assess the species’ danger to humans.
The team is submitting proposals to relevant authorities, local communities, and research groups on venomous snakes to promote further studies to better understand the biological behavior, ecology, and toxicity of this species. A major concern is that the area where the snake was discovered is located in a limestone mountain range popular with tourists but is not within any national parks or protected areas.
"This makes the species even more vulnerable to human activities and environmental threats," said MSc. Nguyen Van Tan.
MSc. Nguyen Van Tan shares his research on Green Pit Vipers (Trimeresurus) at the DTU Medical Conference in 2024
Having focused on biodiversity research from an early age, MSc. Nguyen Van Tan has spent considerable time studying various amphibians and reptiles. In 2024, he, along with other authors, published the book "Biodiversity of Birds in Lang Sen Wetland Reserve" and 21 international research papers.
To date, the master’s graduate has published more than 65 papers in prestigious, peer-reviewed international journals with a ResearchGate H-index of 12. He has also contributed to the description of a new genus of lizards (Laodracon), 24 new reptile species, and 12 new amphibian species.
One of his main research focuses is on toxicology and venomous snake species in Vietnam and neighboring regions. Since June 2021, MSc. Nguyen Van Tan co-founded and directly manages the Snake Identification & First Aid group in Vietnam (SIFASV) with over 1.2 million members on Facebook. This platform allows the scientist from DTU and his colleagues to share knowledge, assist with snake species identification, provide timely and proper first aid information for snake bites, and help protect public health.
(Media Center)