Mystery Solved: Scientists Discover Unique Evolutionary Branch of Snakes

Scientists have resolved the evolutionary history of the mock viper, placing it in a unique new snake family, Psammodynastidae, which aids in understanding and conserving this distinct species.
An international team, spearheaded by researchers from the University of Helsinki, has unraveled the evolutionary history of the mock viper. This snake, which only mildly venomous and resembles a viper, represents a completely distinct lineage within the snake family tree.

The evolutionary history of the mock viper, a mildly venomous, widely distributed Asian snake that mimics highly venomous vipers for self-defense, has been solved. The mock viper represents a completely unique branch in the tree of life of snakes, and hence, it has been allocated into its own new family named Psammodynastidae.