Researchers from the University of Helsinki and an international team have uncovered a new evolutionary lineage for the mock viper, solving a long-standing mystery in snake evolution. This Asian snake, which mimics venomous vipers but has only mild venom, is now recognized as part of the Psammodynastidae family.
The team analyzed over 4,500 genes and high-resolution scans to reveal the mock viper’s unique place within the Elapoidea superfamily. Lead researcher Sunandan Das noted the complexity of this evolutionary discovery, which dates back about 50 million years.
Mock vipers, though resembling tree-dwelling vipers and displaying defensive behaviors, have a true fang with mild venom effective against lizards. This finding highlights the mock viper’s distinct lineage and informs conservation strategies by providing insights into the evolution of snake venom fangs.