An expanded description, natural history, and genetic variation of the recently described cobra species Naja fuxi Shi et al., 2022

Ratnarathorn, Napat; Nadolski, Bartosz; Sumontha, Montri; Hauser, Sjon; Suntrarachun, Sunutcha; Khunsap, Suchitra; Laoungbua, Panithi; Radcliffe, Curtis Andrew; Vasaruchapong, Taksa; Tawan, Tanapong; Chanhome, Lawan

doi:10.3897/vz.73.e89339

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 70 publications

(101 reference statements)

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“…In a recent paper, Shi et al (2022) described a new cobra species, Naja fuxi, based on an extensive analysis of morphological and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) evidence. Its validity was subsequently confirmed with additional data by Ratnarathorn et al (2023). In the same paper, Shi et al also used the published mitochondrial data underlying the multilocus species tree of Kazandjian et al (2021) to support two additional taxonomic decisions: recognition of the eastern populations of N. sumatrana Müller, 1887 as a separate subspecies, N. sumatrana miolepis Boulenger, 1896, and recognition of the Sri Lankan populations of the spectacled cobra as a separate species, N. polyocellata Deraniyagala, 1939, from Indian N. naja (Linnaeus, 1758).…”

Section: Proposed Recognition Of Naja Polyocellatamentioning

confidence: 78%

On the importance of types and the perils of “en passant” taxonomy: a brief history of the typification of Coluber naja Linnaeus, 1758 (Serpentes: Elapidae) and its implications, with the designation of a lectotype

WÜSTER,

TILLACK

2023

Zootaxa

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In response to the recent in passing (“en passant”) taxonomic decision to split Naja naja (Linnaeus) and recognise the Sri Lankan populations as a separate species, N. polyocellata Deraniyagala, we analyse the evidence underlying the proposal and its nomenclatural implications. The proposed split is weakly supported by the available evidence, so that retaining N. naja as a single species seems appropriate until further analysis. Moreover, the proposal raises several issues concerning types, type locality and nomenclature. Linnaeus’ description of Coluber naja was based on a single preserved specimen seen by him (now lost) and several illustrations in Seba’s Thesaurus. The specimens that were the basis of these illustrations constitute part of the type series. Two of the latter specimens, ZMB 2795 and 2796, have been rediscovered in the collections of the Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin. Here, we describe them, and determine that both are of Sri Lankan origin. To settle the question of the type and type locality of this iconic taxon, we designate ZMB 2796 as lectotype for the species, thereby implicitly restricting the type locality to Sri Lanka. The name “polyocellata” thus becomes a subjective junior synonym of Coluber naja, and the name Naja brasiliensis Laurenti, 1768 an objective junior synonym thereof. Any taxonomic recognition of additional diversity within N. naja would thus require the renaming of Indian, not Sri Lankan spectacled cobras, but should await a significant body of convincing evidence. We caution against taxonomic decisions taken “in passing”, based on limited evidence and without in-depth assessment of their nomenclatural implications.

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Section: Proposed Recognition Of Naja Polyocellatamentioning

confidence: 78%

On the importance of types and the perils of “en passant” taxonomy: a brief history of the typification of Coluber naja Linnaeus, 1758 (Serpentes: Elapidae) and its implications, with the designation of a lectotype

WÜSTER,

TILLACK

2023

Zootaxa

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“…Naja kaouthia (the monocled cobra) and Naja siamensis (the Indochinese spitting cobra) are listed in category 1 (of the highest medical importance) in the World Health Organization classification of venomous snakes [ 1 , 16 ]. The other two species are Naja sumatrana (the Equatorial or golden spitting cobra) [ 1 , 16 ] and Naja fuxi , which is a newly identified species in Thailand [ 17 , 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Retrospective Cohort Study of Cobra Envenomation: Clinical Characteristics, Treatments, and Outcomes

Tansuwannarat,

Tongpoo,

Phongsawad

et al. 2023

Toxins

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This study investigated the clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of envenomation involving cobra species in Thailand (Naja kaouthia, Naja siamensis, and Naja sumatrana). Data of patients who had been bitten by a cobra or inoculated via the eyes/skin in 2018–2021 were obtained from the Ramathibodi Poison Center. There were 1045 patients admitted during the 4-year study period (bite, n = 539; ocular/dermal inoculation, n = 506). Almost all patients with ocular/dermal inoculation had eye involvement and ocular injuries, but none had neurological effects. Most of the patients bitten by a cobra had local effects (69.0%) and neurological signs and symptoms (55.7%). The median interval between the bite and the onset of neurological symptoms was 1 h (range, 10 min to 24 h). Accordingly, patients should be observed closely in hospitals for at least 24 h after a bite. Intubation with ventilator support was required in 45.5% of patients and for a median duration of 1.1 days. Antivenom was administered in 63.5% of cases. There were nine deaths, most of which resulted from severe infection. Neurological effects and intubation were significantly more common after a monocled cobra bite than after a spitting cobra bite. The administration of antivenom with good supportive care, including the appropriate management of complications, especially wound infection, might decrease fatality.

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“…Paracapillaria sonsinoi, another Paracapillaria species, also exhibits multiple hosts and a wide distribution, and its hosts include the green whip snake Hierophis viridiflavus in Italy (Skryabin et al, 1957), the diamondback water snake rhombifera in the USA and the viperine water snake Natrix maura in France (Moravec, 1986). Given that monocled cobras exhibit population divergence between different geographical regions (Ratnarathorn et al, 2019(Ratnarathorn et al, , 2023Shi et al, 2022), exploring whether the parasite demonstrates similar clustering patterns that reflect its hosts' divergence would be intriguing. The broad distribution of P. najae in Oriental regions and its association with multiple host species, including the Indian cobra and the monocled cobra, emphasizes the importance of understanding coevolutionary host-parasite relationships.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Redescription and new record of Paracapillaria (Ophidiocapillaria) najae (Nematoda: Trichuroidea) in the monocled cobra Naja kaouthia from central Thailand: morphological and molecular insights

et al. 2023

Self Cite

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The parasitic nematode Paracapillaria (Ophidiocapillaria) najae De, 1998, found in the Indian cobra Naja naja is redescribed and re-illustrated in the present study. The monocled cobra Naja kaouthia was discovered to be a new host for this parasite in central Thailand. A comprehensive description extending the morphological and molecular characteristics of the parasites is provided to aid species recognition in future studies. The morphometric characters of 41 parasites collected from 5 cobra specimens are compared with those described in the original studies. Phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and nuclear 18S ribosomal RNA genes were performed to provide novel information on the systematics of P. najae. Similar characteristics were observed in the examined nematode samples, despite being found in different hosts, confirming their identity as P. najae. The molecular genetic results support the species status of P. najae, indicating P. najae is well defined and separated from other related nematode species in the family Capillariidae. Morphological descriptions, genetic sequences, evolutionary relationships among capillariids and new host and distribution records of P. najae are discussed. Paracapillaria najae specimens found in the Thai cobra had some morphological variation, and sexual size dimorphism was also indicated. Paracapillaria najae was found to infect various cobra host species and appeared to be common throughout the Oriental regions, consistent with its hosts' distribution.

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An expanded description, natural history, and genetic variation of the recently described cobra species Naja fuxi Shi et al., 2022

Cited by 7 publications

References 70 publications

On the importance of types and the perils of “en passant” taxonomy: a brief history of the typification of Coluber naja Linnaeus, 1758 (Serpentes: Elapidae) and its implications, with the designation of a lectotype

On the importance of types and the perils of “en passant” taxonomy: a brief history of the typification of Coluber naja Linnaeus, 1758 (Serpentes: Elapidae) and its implications, with the designation of a lectotype

A Retrospective Cohort Study of Cobra Envenomation: Clinical Characteristics, Treatments, and Outcomes

Redescription and new record of Paracapillaria (Ophidiocapillaria) najae (Nematoda: Trichuroidea) in the monocled cobra Naja kaouthia from central Thailand: morphological and molecular insights

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