Slowinski and Wüster (2000) described the dangerously venomous Naja mandalayensis, a new species of spitting cobra that is apparently endemic to an arid region in central Myanmar (parts of Mandalay, Magwe, and Sagaing Divisions) where annual rainfall is generally less than 1000 mm. Historically, this area was characterized by acacia savanna and, in wetter areas, indaing, a stunted dipterocarp savanna. Due to intensive agricultural use, little of this original vegetation remains, but N. mandalayensis thrives in agricultural field and in and around villages (in fact, the holotype was captured inside a hut in a small village).
Asian cobras of the genus Naja were long thought to belong to a single species, N. naja. However, it was apparent by the early 1990s that Naja included at least 10 distinct species. Another Naja species, N. kaouthia, occurs widely in Myanmar, although it appears to be largely or entirely absent from the central Myanmar region where N. mandalayensis is found (Slowinski and Wüster note that a similar situation is found in Thailand, where N. kaouthia occurs more commonly in wetter areas and N. siamensis in drier ones).Naja mandalayensis differs from N. kaouthia in (1) having a hood mark that is very faint or absent in adults and spectacle-shaped in juveniles (in N. kaouthia, this mark is present and monocle-shaped in both adults and juveniles) and (2) N. mandalayensis tends to spit venom when threatened and its jaws are more highly modified for spitting, with a smaller venom discharge orifice; N. kaouthia rarely spits venom. (Slowinski and Wüster 2000 and references therein)
Slowinski and Wüster (2000) concluded that N. siamensis and N. mandalayensis are likely sister taxa. They also noted that the central dry zone of Myanmar harbors other endemic snake species, such as Oligodon splendidus and Bungarus magnimaculatus and predicted that further study of the Myanmar herpetofauna would reveal other endemics from this region.
Leviton et al. (2003) provide a technical description of N. mandalayensis: Underside of chin and throat dark, set off from first dark band by 2 to 4 ventrals that are pale (or at least less densely mottled) followed by 2 or 3 broad dark bands; remainder of underparts is pale with occasional dark mottling. Hood has no (or extremely faint) markings. Fangs are modified for spitting and venom discharge orifice is small. Ventrals 173-185 (male 173-185, female 182-185); subcaudals 50-58 (male 56-58, female 50-56). Total length 828 mm, tail length 152 mm (some individuals probably larger). Often found in the vicinity of villages and agricultural lands.
Burmese spitting cobra
There are 19 to 22 scale rows at midbody, 173 to 185 ventral scales, and 50 to 58 subcaudal scales (Slowinski and Wüster, 2000).
Central Myanmar; currently known only from the dry zone in Mandalay, Magwe, and Sagaing divisions.
Holotype: CAS 207097
Paratypes: CAS 204375-76
Type locality: "near Monywa (N 22° 13'; E 95° 20'), Sagang Division, Myanmar."
The Mandalay spitting cobra (Naja mandalayensis), also called the Burmese spitting cobra or Mandalay cobra, is a species of spitting cobra endemic to the dry zone in central Myanmar.[1]
Naja mandalayensis was first described by herpetologists Wolfgang Wüster and Joseph Bruno Slowinski in 2000.[5] The generic name naja is a Latinisation of the Sanskrit word nāgá (नाग) meaning "cobra".[6] The specific epithet mandalayensis is Latin and refers to the city of Mandalay, which is a major city within the range of Naja mandalayensis.[5]
This species of cobra is medium in length, and heavy bodied. The average length of an adult ranges from 1 to 1.2 m (3.3 to 3.9 ft); they can grow to 1.4 m (4.6 ft). The head is elliptical, depressed, slightly distinct from the neck with a short, rounded snout and large nostrils. The body is compressed dorsoventrally and subcylindrical posteriorly. Its scales are smooth and strongly oblique. The eyes are moderate in size with round pupils. The body of this species is yellowish-brown to dull brown, with darker brownish mottling. The belly is pale with some dark speckling. Specimens are often dark under the chin and throat, followed by a more pale clear area, then by 2 or 3 dark bands across the venter of the hood. This species has no obvious markings on dorsum of the hood, although a spectacle-shaped hood mark may be present, especially in some juveniles. Like other spitting cobra species, they possess a pair of fixed front upper fangs that are highly modified for "spitting" venom.[5]
This species is endemic to the central dry zone of Myanmar, spanning the Mandalay, Magway, and Sagaing Divisions. The central dry zone is a well defined area with a characteristic climate, and an extent of less than 20,000 km2. The few known records of this snake have been taken from areas throughout this general region, and it has an estimated range of approximately 18,500 km2 based on recorded data.[5]
This species occurs in the central dry zone of Myanmar, an area that receives less than 1,000 mm (39 in) of rain annually. The area is made up of acacia and stunted dipterocarpaceae savannas, although the area is being intensively utilized for agricultural purposes. Mandalay spitting cobra specimens have been collected in dry forests and dry acacia habitat.[5]
This species of cobra is predominantly nocturnal, hunting at dusk or night. They spend the daylight hours being mostly stationary or basking in the sun.[7] The spitting behaviour of this species is said to be similar to that of the Indochinese spitting cobra (N. siamensis) based on anecdotal observations made by herpetologists. Mandalay spitting cobras are alert and defensive snakes, quickly raising their forebodies and spreading a broad hood when faced with a threat. Very little provocation is required to cause them to spit. The venom can be efficiently expelled at least 2 m (6.6 ft) in distance. In addition to spitting, this species will often also charge forward towards the threat while hissing loudly, even try to bite.[5]
It preys mainly on toads and frogs but will also take other snakes, small mammals and occasionally even fish.[8]
Nothing is known about the venom of this particular species. However, as a species of spitting cobra the venom likely has a cytotoxic and post-synaptic neurotoxic properties.[7]
The Mandalay spitting cobra (Naja mandalayensis), also called the Burmese spitting cobra or Mandalay cobra, is a species of spitting cobra endemic to the dry zone in central Myanmar.
