Salalah – A team of scientists from the University of Nizwa, in collaboration with the Institute of Evolutionary Biology in Barcelona, has confirmed the first recorded presence of black cobra (Walterinnesia aegyptia) in Dhofar governorate, marking a significant addition to Oman’s reptile species list.

Led by the Natural and Medical Sciences Research Centre at the University of Nizwa, the study confirms the presence of the desert-dwelling cobra in several areas of Dhofar. With this, the number of scientifically documented snake species in Oman has risen to 22.

The findings have been published on ‘MorphoBank’, an international open-access scientific database, enabling researchers around the world to access the data and build on the research.

Genetic analysis conducted during the study showed that the specimens found in Dhofar are nearly identical to those recorded in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Mitochondrial DNA results demonstrated a strong genetic match, leading to the reclassification of Walterinnesia morgani as a synonym of W. aegyptia, effectively resolving a long-standing taxonomic debate.

The black cobra, a highly venomous nocturnal snake from the Elapidae family, is known for its uniform glossy black appearance and lack of patterns. Adults can grow up to 150cm in length. Juveniles of the species tend to exhibit less aggressive defensive behaviour than other cobra species.