Author: Daddy Cool
The smallest in the world of snakes were found on the Caribbean island of Barbados - the length of the adult type, was named Leptotyphlops carlae, does not exceed 11 inches. The discoverer, biologist Blair Hedges (Blair Hedges) from the American University of Pennsylvania, reported his finding in an article published in the journal Zootaxa. Hedges found the new snake, which belongs to the so-called uzkorotym snakes (Leptotyphlops), in the forest on the eastern side of Barbados. He believes that the form is very rare because of the fact that the habitats of these reptiles occupy buildings and farms, RIA Novosti reports. "Destruction of habitat - the main threat to biodiversity worldwide. The Caribbean islands are especially vulnerable ... as inhabiting a rare species can not go anywhere, if their habitat destroyed," - said Hedges, whose words are quoted in the statement the university. He determined that the found species of snake in Barbados really do not know science through the study of genetic differences from other species. Thus he found that Leptotyphlops carlae - the smallest of the more than 3,1 thousand known species of snakes. Hedges believes that he found the form can be close to the minimum size. "Natural selection may prevent the appearance of snakes less than a certain size, because their young animals can not find an appropriate food," - said the scientist. He added that he found the form of snakes, most likely fed primarily larvae of ants and termites. Hedges and his colleagues have discovered and described more than 65 new species of amphibians and reptiles in the Caribbean.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/nature-articles/the-smallest-one-lives-in-barbados-2940457.html
