Vasuki indicus

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Context:

• Paleontologists in India discovered fossilized remains of a giant predator snake in Gujarat's Panandhro Lignite Mine in Kutch.

Vasuki indicus and its characteristics

• They were terrestrial snakes that existed from the Upper Cretaceous to the Late Pleistocene.
• It belonged to the extinct Madtsoiidae snake family, which lived between the Upper Cretaceous and the Late Pleistocene.
• The snake is estimated to be 10-15 meters long and dates back approximately 47 million years.
• Vasuki indicus had a broad, cylindrical body.
• It reached lengths between 10.9 and 15.2 meters, surpassing modern snakes like the reticulated python.
• It rivalled the size of the infamous Titanoboa, one of the largest known predators in history.

Significance of Madtsoiidae:

• They are significant for understanding snake origins and evolution.
• The discovery has implications for understanding Gondwanan inter-continental dispersal and the evolution of large body sizes during the Middle Eocene period.

Biogeography:

• Biogeography studies the geographical distribution of plants and animals. Many factors affect the geographical distribution of living organisms. These factors help shape the biogeography of a region. Climate and weather have a big impact on the geographical distribution of living things.
• Among the top 17 megadiverse countries in the world, India ranks fourth in Asia and tenth globally.
• There are ten biogeographic zones in India.

Source:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/brahmos-missiles-philippines-development-9280055/

PRACTICE QUESTION Q) Which of the following best defines Vasuki indicus, recently in the news? a) A new species of predatory snake discovered in the Amazon rainforest, known for its ability to climb trees and hunt small mammals. b) A subspecies of the Bengal tiger found in the Sundarbans mangrove forests, characterized by its unique stripe pattern and swimming prowess. c) A species of tiger cat identified in Brazil, distinguished by its small size, spotted coat, and adaptability to tree-climbing and hunting. d) An extinct species of giant snake discovered in the fossil records of India, believed to have roamed the subcontinent during the Eocene epoch. Answer: C Explanation: Vasuki indicus refers to a recently identified species of tiger cat, not a predatory snake, subspecies of the Bengal tiger, or an extinct giant snake. The tiger cat species, characterized by its small size, spotted coat, and arboreal hunting skills, was discovered in Brazil and reported in the news. Therefore, option (c) best defines Vasuki indicus.