First Genetic Evidence and Genomic Characterization of Anilios leptosoma (Murchison Blind Snake) from India: A Novel Record Based on Comparative Genomics

Anilios leptosoma, also known as the Murchison blind snake, is a species of fossorial snake found in Western Australia, characterized by cylindrical bodies and burrowing adaptations. This study reported the first genetic evidence of A. leptosoma, commonly known as the Murchison blind snake, from India. This species, previously restricted to Western Australia, was identified through genome sequencing of conserved regions and comparative phylogenetic analysis using a sample collected from Tamiya Village, Chhindwara District, Madhya Pradesh. Genomic DNA was extracted and sequenced using the high-throughput Illumina platform, followed by bioinformatic validation. Comparative analysis with existing Typhlopid genomic datasets confirms its identity as A. leptosoma, marking the first record in the Indian subcontinent. This discovery has profound implications for the biogeographical distribution and evolutionary dynamics of Typhlopidae.