King Cobras aren't one species, have 4 lineages, finds new study

Hubballi: King Cobra, the world’s longest venomous snake, found across several countries in South and South East Asia are not one species, but four different linages, according to a path-breaking study by wildlife biologist P Gowri Shanker and his team. 

Of the four species, India has two varieties: those found in the Western Ghats and those found near the foothills of the Himalayas and the Eastern Ghats.

The research team has named the newly described species endemic to the Western Ghats in Kannada as 'Ophiophagus Kaalinga'.

The other species are 'Ophiophagus hannah' (found in Pakistan, northern and eastern India, Andaman Islands, Indo-Burma, Indo-China and Thailand), 'Ophiophagus bungarus' (southern Philippines) and 'Ophiophagus salvatana' (northern Philippines).

After nearly a decade of research spanning several countries, Gowri Shanker, founder director of Kalinga Foundation, Agumbe (Shivamogga district), has established that there is 1%-4% genetic variation in these four species.

“Between humans and chimpanzees, there is only 1% gene variation. So, the 1%-4% difference among King Cobras makes them four different species,” he says and adds that the band patterns on their bodies are also different.  

King Cobras were first described in 1836 by Cantor and for nearly 185 years, it was considered as a monotypic genus, meaning all King Cobras across the world are a single species. 

Gowri Shanker's team collected tissue samples by clipping the ventral scales (similar to cutting nails or hairs) of the snakes in the research fields, zoos and museums from across the world.

The team processed these samples to obtain the DNA sequences, photographed King Cobras from different regions and studied their physical characteristics.

After spending years on analyzing the volumes of data, the team finally arrived at the results, he says. 

The study was conducted under the supervision of Kartik Shanker (Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru), Dr S K Dutta and Prof Jacob Hoglund from Uppsala University, Sweden.

Gowri Shanker's research team consisted of Priyanka Swamy, Ganesh S R, Vijayakumar S P, Rhiannon Williams and Prashanth P.

The research work is expected to benefit better conservation of the species, which are protected under Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

The national snake of India faces threat from habitat destruction and the trade in skin, for food, medicine and trade as pets.   

We know next to nothing on King Cobra venom: Biologist

“Apart from answering fundamental and theoretical questions, this study will immediately help us in assessing which species of King Cobras needs immediate attention, what conservation measures need to be implemented and in studying the venom composition of these species as this will have a direct impact on the efficacy of antivenom and in snake bite mitigation. Currently, we know next to nothing when it comes to King Cobra venom,” says Gowri Shanker. 

He says he will collaborate with universities, institutes and governments to further understand the species and take steps for better conservation.