The brown vine snake from Trinidad and Tobago locally known as Horsewhip has recently been re-described as a new species based on genetic and morphological data, compared to other specimens from across the Americas. The research was lead by Jadin and colleagues and published this year. The snake's scientific name is Oxybelis rutherfordi, or commonly Rutherford's vine snake.
The species has been named in honour of Mike Rutherford, who was the former Curator of the University of the West Indies Zoology Museum, for his contributions to Zoology and Natural History in Trinidad and Tobago. Persons from Trinidad and Tobago that have participated in the annual Bioblitz or with the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club will be familiar with Mike. Congrats, Mike!
No doubt, new species of reptiles and amphibians will continue to be described in the country, which makes for exciting opportunities for young naturalists to get involved and passionate about wildlife.
Reference:
Jadin et al. 2020. Not withering on the evolutionary vine: systematic revision of the Brown Vine Snake (Reptilia: Squamata: Oxybelis) from its northern distribution. Organisms Diversity & Evolution
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