New Guinea Groundsnake Species Named After Musician Slash

A newly identified snake species from New Guinea has been named *Lielaphis slashi*, or Slash's groundsnake, after the Guns N' Roses guitarist. Genetic testing and physical characteristics confirmed it as a distinct species. The reddish-brown snake is nonvenomous and measures up to 28 inches long.

Sara Ruane, the Field Museum's Associate Curator of Herpetology and lead author of the study, has been a fan of Slash and reptiles since childhood. She learned of Slash's interest in reptiles and natural history through an old magazine interview. This personal connection influenced her decision to name the new species after him.

The snake was first encountered in 2006 by Chris Austin, a professor at Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Science. He found it during fieldwork in New Guinea's tropical forests. Subsequent laboratory analysis, including genetic sequencing and examination of scale counts, distinguished *L. slashi* from other similar snakes in its genus. Ecological modeling also indicated a unique habitat preference for the species.

Scientists know little about the behavior of Slash's groundsnake. Its anatomy suggests it may use large rear teeth to consume small, slippery lizards and reptile eggs. The snake is not dangerous to humans. However, its habitat in New Guinea faces threats from industries like coffee farming and mining. Formal identification of species like *L. slashi* helps scientists understand and conserve biodiversity in these changing ecosystems.