O’Shea’s pipesnake: New snake species named after Wolverhampton professor
A snake expert sharing his wisdom with students in the city has spoken of his joy after a new species was named after him.
Professor Mark O'Shea, who presented internationally acclaimed ‘O’Shea’s Big Adventure’ for Channel Four and Animal Planet, has been honoured for his work with reptiles.
It is the first time a species has been named after the Wolverhampton-born herpetologist following the discovery in Indonesia.
Professor O’Shea, who works at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “I have described and named several snakes and lizards myself but this is the first time a species has been named after me.
“It is a considerable honour, as many recipients of patronyms like this have been honoured post-mortem. However, Sir David Attenborough has also been so honoured (several times) in life. I am thrilled and humbled.”
The Cylindrophis osheai - pronounced oh-shay-eye - will be referred to colloquially as O’Shea’s pipesnake after it was uncovered in Boano Island, near Seram, Indonesia.
The non-venomous reptile - which feeds on prey including small snakes, earthworms and eels - has a broad wavy stripe along its body and unique colour pattern.
There are now 14 species of Asian pipesnakes, which are thought to be similar in appearance and natural history to the first snakes which evolved more than 160 million years ago.
A recently published paper about the species read: “We describe the new species to honour our colleague and friend Mark O’Shea for his many contributions to snake biology and taxonomy.
"He has contributed much to improving an understanding of reptiles and particularly enhancing the reputation of snakes among a broader audience via his media work and his popular lectures.”
Professor O'Shea, who graduated from Wolverhampton Polytechnic in 1985 with a degree in applied sciences, was awarded an honorary doctorate in science for contributions to herpetology in 2001.
He joined the university earlier this month as Professor of Herpetology, and has been a consultant curator of reptiles at West Midlands Safari Park since 1987.
The expert has written six books on herpetology - the study of amphibians and reptiles - alongside scientific articles about the reptiles of Southeast Asia and New Guinea.
