A newly identified species of dwarf boa constrictor has been uncovered in the Ecuadorian Amazon by researchers from the Ecuadorian National Biodiversity Institute. The discovery has been documented in depth in an article published in the European Journal of Taxonomy.
The snake measures up to 20 centimeters in length and bears a color pattern reminiscent of the familiar boa constrictor. The researchers chose the name Tropidophis cacuangoae to honor Dolores Cacuango, an indigenous rights activist who championed the interests of native communities in the early 20th century.
Two specimens of Tropidophis cacuangoae were located within a protected national reserve and also in one of the adjacent private parks, highlighting the species’ presence in varied managed landscapes near conserved habitats.
The researchers remarked that these snakes represent living links to ancient lineages, describing the finds as a remarkable encounter with a remnant from a bygone era. The discovery adds to the growing appreciation of the Amazon basin as a repository of tiny, yet scientifically important, reptile diversity and underscores ongoing efforts to document life in remote ecosystems.
The prehistoric roots of snakes are supported by the retention of a primitive pelvic structure, a feature that continues to be observed in Tropidophis cacuangoae. Such anatomical traits are widely cited in contemporary phylogenetic discussions as evidence that snakes share a deep ancestral connection with lizards, offering clues about how these reptiles evolved over millions of years. This finding contributes to broader debates about the evolutionary history of squamates and reinforces the value of careful morphological analyses in modern taxonomy. Researchers emphasize that even diminutive species can illuminate major questions about vertebrate evolution, biogeography, and the ecological dynamics of tropical regions.