Aipysurus foliosquama

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Leaf-scaled sea snake
Aipysurus foliosquama (WAM R150365) from Barrow Island.jpg
Museum specimen
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Aipysurus
Species:
A. foliosquama
Binomial name
Aipysurus foliosquama
Smith, 1926
Aipysurus foliosquama distribution map.svg

Aipysurus foliosquama, also known as the leaf-scaled sea snake, is a species of venomous sea snake in the family Elapidae. It was formerly endemic to the Ashmore and Cartier Islands of Australia, [1] having thought to have become extinct there. In 2015, the snake was discovered in seagrass beds of Shark Bay off Western Australia. [2]

Contents

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1926. The combination Smithohydrophis foliosquama (Kharin 1981) is recognised as a synonym. [1]

Description

The recorded length is around 800 millimetres and coloration is purple brown. A poorly known species, the diet is known to consist of wrasse and gudgeon fish that are pursued through coral outcrops and crevices. [3]

Distribution and habitat

The distribution range of the species has contracted since its first identification, and is currently known from a declining population inhabiting Shark Bay on the western coast of Australia. [1] The leaf-scaled sea snake prefers waters up to 10 metres in depth. [4]

In December 2015 a population of the snakes was found living in seagrass beds of Shark Bay off Western Australia. [2] Previously, its only known habitats were some 1,700 km away in the Ashmore and Hibernia Reefs in the Timor Sea, [1] from where it had since disappeared. [5]

Conservation status

The range of Aipysurus foliosquama has significantly decreased and population is significantly declining, the IUCN lists their status as data deficient. [1] It is listed as one of The World's 100 Most Threatened Species. [6]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sanders, K.; Crowe-Riddell, J.M.; Courtney, T.; Rasmussen, A.R. (2021). "Aipysurus foliosquama". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T176714A83765016. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T176714A83765016.en . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Scientists discover rare sea snakes, previously thought extinct, off Western Australia". phys.org. December 21, 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  3. Sanders, K. (February 2013). "Australian endangered species: Sea snakes". The Conversation.
  4. "Aipysurus foliosquama – Leaf-scaled Seasnake". Species Profile and Threats Database. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  5. D'Anastasi, B.R.; van Herwerden, L.; Hobbs, J.A.; Simpfendorfer, C.A.; Lukoschek, V. (2016), "New range and habitat records for threatened Australian sea snakes raise challenges for conservation", Biological Conservation, 194: 66–70, doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2015.11.032
  6. Baillie, Jonathan E M; Ellen R Butcher (2012). Priceless or Worthless? (PDF). ZoolFlyway to wintering grounds in Indiaogical Society of London. ISBN   978-0-900881-67-1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-21.