First record of the Mizo rain snake Smithophis atemporalis from Bangladesh

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Bangladesh is known for its diverse ecosystems
with 22 bio-ecological zones, including mangroves,
wetlands, forests and rivers, which support a wide range
of plant and animal species (IUCN, 2002). Among the
bio-ecological zones of Bangladesh, the south-eastern
hilly area is rich in wildlife resources, especially snakes
(IUCN Bangladesh, 2015). Snakes play a signicant role in
ecological, environmental, economic and cultural sectors
in Bangladesh (Jaman et al., 2020; 2021). However, the
actual number of snake species is sll unknown to us, and
new species, including new distribuon records, are being
added (e.g. Hakim et al., 2020; Shome et al., 2020; Kajol et
al., 2020; Mahamud et al., 2022; Barkat & Rabbe, 2022).
Smithophis is a natricine genus with four species that
range from north-eastern India across north-eastern
Myanmar to south-western China (Giri et al., 2019). Among
the four species, Smithophis atemporalis Giri et al. 2019 has
unl now only been reported from Mizoram state (India)
and has been assessed as a data decient species (Fig.
1, Table 1)(Giri & Das, 2021). The only species previously
reported from Bangladesh of this genus is Smithophis
bicolor (previously known as Rabdops bicolor) from
Alikadam, Bandarban, Bangladesh (Khan, 2015; 2018).
We present here a new country record of S. atemporalis
from south-eastern Bangladesh close to the border with
both India and Myanmar. On 20 October 2020 a single
individual of this species (Fig. 2) was observed in a
residence at one kilometre from Darjeeling Para towards
Boga Lake (21° 57’51.4” N, 92° 30’13.5” E), Keokradong,
Ruma Upazila, Bandarban, Bangladesh (Fig. 1). The snake
crossed the road while we observed it closely and took
photographs.
Smithophis atemporalis is bicolored with black trapezoids
extending ventrally and white markings extending dorsally
(Fig. 2). The scales are known to be iridescent and unlike
other known Smithophis spp., the head lacks temporal
shields. During the monsoon this snake can be seen around
waterfalls and waterbodies. The diet includes earthworms
and juvenile skinks.
Since our record is based on relavely distant photographic
evidence that precluded any detailed observaon of the
head scale paern, idencaon was based on colour and
paerning. We compared the current observaon with the
colour paerning of other Smithophis species in Asia (Table
1), and conclude that it is the rst conrmed record of S.
atemporalis for Bangladesh.
Previously, S. atemporalis was recorded from 60 dierent
localies ranging from 71–1,235 m a.s.l. in four districts
of Mizoram (Lalronunga et al. 2021; Ruatpuii et al., 2022)
that are 76–226 km from the present locaon. The nearest
locaon from the new record is Saiha, Mizoram, India (Fig.
1). Smithophis atemporalis is an interesng addion to the
faunal list of Bangladesh. Lile is known of this species in
neighbouring India and further studies to invesgate its
occurrence, distribuon and ecology in Bangladesh are
needed.
Herpetological Bullen 166 (2023) 35
The Herpetological Bulletin 166, 2023: 35–37
First record of the Mizo rain snake Smithophis atemporalis from
Bangladesh
IFTIKER MAHAMUD1,2, ASHIKUR RAHMAN SHOME2,3, MD. FAZLE RABBE3*, M. MONIRUL H. KHAN4,
ADNAN AZAD2,5, SOURAV MONDAL6 & MAHFUZUR RAHMAN2,7
1Department of Genec Engineering & Biotechnology, East West University, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
2Deep Ecology and Snake Conservaon Foundaon, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh
3Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
4Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh
5Akij Wildlife Farm Ltd., Ukhia, Cox’s Bazar, Chiagong 4750, Bangladesh
6Department of Computer Science and Engineering, North Western University, Khulna 9000, Bangladesh
7Department of Philosophy, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh
*Corresponding author e-mail: fazle_zool@du.ac.bd
hps://doi.org/10.33256/hb166.3537
SHORT COMMUNICATION
Figure 1. Past and present records of Smithophis atemporalis from
Mizoram, India and Bangladesh

36 Herpetological Bullen 166 (2023)
Iiker Mahamud et al.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We express our gratude to Dr. H.T. Lalremsanga,
Professor, Department of Zoology, Mizoram University
for his support in idenfying the species and Samuel
Lalronunga for giving the GPS co-ordinates. Special thanks
to Tasbin Shakib, Chandrima Bose, Shubhabrata Sarker,
Tamanna Israt Mim and Simanto Sarker for their assistance
during the eld visit. Also, thanks to the Department of
Zoology, Naonal University, Singapore for allowing us to
review their museum collecon.
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S. atemporalis Bicoloured, blackish above, whish below. Dorso-laterally, markings
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Figure 2. A. Smithophis atemporalis from Darjeeling Para towards
Boga lake, Keokradong, Ruma Upazila, Bandarban, Bangladesh,
B. The black markings do not extend to the lateral margins in the
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indicated by arrows in B. & C.

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