Animal of the Week, August 9, 2017—new grass snake, you're barred!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40853286 Aug 9, 2017

You can't have failed to notice the news come alive this week with reports of a new species of grass snake identified in the UK. Amazing, stunning! The new species (the barred grass snake; Natrix helvetica) can be distinguished by its less pronounced collar, more pronounced barring along its body, and less vibrant colour (khaki rather than green) compared with other grass snakes (Natrix natrix). Several news outlets reported that the addition of the new species raised the number of snake species living in the UK from three (adder, grass snake, and smooth snake) to four (those three plus the barred grass snake).

But hold on! Should you be asked, in say, a pub quiz, how many species of snake are native to the UK, the answer is still three. If, indeed, the barred grass snake is a separate species, it is the only grass snake species in the UK. The barred grass snake's range in Europe can largely be described as north of the Alps and Pyrenees and west of the Rhine, no other grass snakes are found in this area.

From the original research paper, the blue symbols show the distribution of Natrix natrix helvetica

Scientist analysed genetic samples from snake skins, roadkill, and museum specimens across the northern and eastern European rang of the grass snake. According to the research, the barred grass snake should be recognised as a distinct species from the other subspecies in the Natrix natrix group: whereas the other subspecies have substantial range overlap in which they crossbreed, interbreeding between helvetica and its neighbour natrix is very rare.

Font fans and graphic designers will find it ironic that the helvetica species is distinguished by its pronounced bars.