Study reveals where snakes come from
- DNA study reveals Asian origins of cobras and coral snakes
- Snakes spread globally through multiple migration events
- Findings may impact theories on other animals' origins
A Louisiana pine snake bluffs in a posture to defend itself against predators, during the release of several of about 100 Louisiana pine snakes, which are a threatened species, in Kisatchie National Forest, La., Friday, May 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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(NewsNation) — A new study has overturned previous theories about the origins of cobras, coral snakes and their relatives, finding they emerged from Asia rather than Africa.
Researchers analyzed DNA from snakes across the globe, constructing a comprehensive family tree for the group known as Elapoidea. This diverse snake lineage includes many venomous species like cobras, mambas and sea snakes.
“Our results definitively indicate an Asian origin for Elapoidea, rejecting the ‘Out of Africa’ hypothesis,” The study’s authors at the University of Kansas wrote.
The study, published Wednesday in the journal Royal Society Open Science, traced the snakes’ origins to Asia around 35-45 million years ago. From there, they spread to Africa, Australia, the Americas and Europe through multiple migration events.
Previous theories had suggested an African origin, based partly on fossil evidence. However, the new genetic data paints a different picture, showing that the earliest branches of the family tree belonged to species found only in Asia.
The research team used advanced DNA sequencing to examine thousands of genes across 65 snake species. This allowed them to resolve relationships that had long puzzled scientists due to the snakes’ rapid diversification.
Their findings have implications beyond snake evolution. Many other animal groups are thought to have African origins, and this study shows how improved genetic techniques can overturn long-held assumptions about species’ ancient homelands.
The work also sheds light on how these snakes spread across the globe. For instance, cobras likely reached Africa around 12-24 million years ago, when the continents of Africa and Eurasia collided.
