A group of scientists from Adnan Menderes University in western Turkey announced the discovery of a new snake species yesterday. The non-venomous snake was discovered in Dörtyol and Yayladağı, two towns in the southern Turkish province of Hatay, which is located near the Syrian border.

The new species became the 515th snake species to be discovered.

Professor Kurtuluş Olgun from the team of scientists said they have been working on determining snake species in the region for the past decade. The new species is named "Muhtarophis," after late professor Muhtar Başoğlu, founder of herpetology in Turkey. Herpetology is a branch of zoology specialized in the study of amphibians. Olgun said muhtarophis was distinguished from other species with its distinct head shape and a flat nose. He said the discovery was a landmark as it was the first time Turkish scientists had found a new amphibian species.

Associate Professor Aziz Avcı said muhtarophis is 30 centimeters in length and a thin animal with a yellowish and red colors with a black strip on its ash-colored head. "It is a non-venomous reptile and is usually sighted under stones and in humid climates," he said.