Hydrophis donaldi

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Hydrophis donaldi
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Hydrophis
Species:
H. donaldi
Binomial name
Hydrophis donaldi
Ukuwela, Sanders & Fry, 2012

Hydrophis donaldi, or the rough-scaled sea snake is a unique species of sea snake from Australia's Gulf of Carpentaria first described in 2012. [2] It is a yellow to brown, striped snake [3] that reaches up to a meter in length. [4] It gives live birth [2] and is venomous enough to be dangerous to humans. [3] The primary distinguishing trait of the rough-scaled sea snake is the presence of a single spine on every scale covering the snake's body. The snake's tough, spiny scales may protect it from being buffeted against the rocks of its stony estuary habitats by the action of the waves and currents. [4] Other less spectacular traits distinguishing it from other members of the genus Hydrophis include the lack of a groove running through the scales underlying its abdomen, a larger and rounder skull, differing numbers of scales around the circumference of different bodily regions, and a larger number of stripes than many sea snakes have. [2]

Discovery

The 2012 formal scientific description of the rough-scaled sea snake was not published until 12 years after Bryan Fry of Queensland University originally discovered the snake in 2000. [4] The specific epithet was chosen to honor Dave Donald, the skipper of the boat used during the expedition that discovered the snake. The scientists attributed their discovery to Donald's hard work and familiarity with the local waters of Australia's Gulf of Carpentaria. [2] The discovery and scientific documentation of the rough-scaled sea snake was delayed by many factors. The presence of many dangerous predators like bull sharks and saltwater crocodiles makes surveying the local environment hazardous. Compounding on the danger of the predators is the presence of venomous life, like box jellyfish. In an interview with National Geographic, Fry joked that a diver in the Bay of Carpentaria has a life expectancy "measured in minutes". [3]

One of the most important factors was the extreme rarity of this species. In more than a decade of local sea snake research only 9 rough-scaled sea snakes have ever been found. Meanwhile, the same researchers had encountered some 10,000 individuals of other sea snake species in the same time period. [4] Even if a rough-scaled sea snake was nearby it would likely be difficult to see due to the low visibility of its murky habitat. The rough-scaled sea snake had managed to avoid being serendipitously discovered by local fishermen trawling for prawns the way many other sea snake species are commonly caught. This can likely be attributed to the snakes' preference for the shallow rocky waters of local estuaries that are not fished for prawns. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elapidae</span> Family of venomous snakes

Elapidae is a family of snakes characterized by their permanently erect fangs at the front of the mouth. Most elapids are venomous, with the exception of the genus Emydocephalus. Many members of this family exhibit a threat display of rearing upwards while spreading out a neck flap. Elapids are endemic to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, with terrestrial forms in Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Americas and marine forms in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Members of the family have a wide range of sizes, from the 18 cm (7.1 in) white-lipped snake to the 5.85 m king cobra. Most species have neurotoxic venom that is channeled by their hollow fangs, and some may contain other toxic components in various proportions. The family includes 55 genera with around 360 species and over 170 subspecies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stokes's sea snake</span> Species of snake

Stokes's sea snake is a large species of sea snake in the family Elapidae. It is sometimes placed in its own genus Astrotia. The species is endemic to tropical Indo-Pacific oceanic waters.

<i>Hydrophis schistosus</i> Species of snake

Hydrophis schistosus, commonly known as the beaked sea snake, hook-nosed sea snake, common sea snake, or the Valakadeyan sea snake, is a highly venomous species of sea snake common throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific. This species is implicated in more than 50% of all bites caused by sea snakes, as well as the majority of envenomings and fatalities.

<i>Hydrophis belcheri</i> Species of snake

Hydrophis belcheri, commonly known as the faint-banded sea snake or Belcher's sea snake, is an extremely venomous species of elapid sea snake. It has a timid temperament and would normally have to be subjected to severe mistreatment before biting. Usually those bitten are fishermen handling nets, although only one-quarter of those bitten are envenomated since the snake rarely injects much of its venom. Although not much is known about the venom of this species, its LD50 toxicity in mice has been determined to be 0.24 mg/kg when delivered intramuscularly.

<i>Hydrophis brooki</i> Species of snake

Hydrophis brookii is a species of venomous sea snake in the subfamily Hydrophiinae of the family Elapidae. The species is native to bodies of water in Southeast Asia.

<i>Hydrophis klossi</i> Species of snake

Hydrophis klossi, commonly known as Kloss's sea snake, is a species of sea snake in the family Elapidae. Like all other sea snakes, it is venomous. The species is endemic to the Indian Ocean.

Hydrophis lapemoides is a species of snake in the family Elapidae known commonly as the Persian Gulf sea snake. This sea snake is native to the Indian Ocean from the Persian Gulf to the coasts of Thailand.

Hydrophis mamillaris, sometimes referred to as the Bombay sea snake or broad-banded sea snake is a species of venomous sea snake native to the Indian Ocean. It is a poorly studied and surveyed species, with few records and a dubious type specimen.

<i>Hydrophis spiralis</i> Species of snake

Hydrophis spiralis, commonly known as the yellow sea snake, is a species of venomous sea snake in the family Elapidae.

<i>Hydrophis curtus</i> Species of snake

Hydrophis curtus, also known as Shaw's Sea Snake, short sea snake, but often includes Hydrophis hardwickii is a species of sea snake. Like most Hydrophiinae sea snakes, it is a viviparous, fully marine, and front fanged elapid that is highly venomous. It is collected for a variety of purposes including human and animal food, for medicinal purposes and for their skin.

<i>Microcephalophis</i> Species of snake

Microcephalophis gracilis, also known as the graceful small-headed seasnake, slender sea snake, narrow-headed sea snake, common small-headed sea snake, is a species of sea snake found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is venomous.

Hydrophis viperinus, commonly known as the viperine sea snake, is a species of venomous sea snake in the family Elapidae (Hydrophiinae).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Venomous snake</span> Species of the suborder Serpentes that produce venom

Venomous snakes are species of the suborder Serpentes that are capable of producing venom, which they use for killing prey, for defense, and to assist with digestion of their prey. The venom is typically delivered by injection using hollow or grooved fangs, although some venomous snakes lack well-developed fangs. Common venomous snakes include the families Elapidae, Viperidae, Atractaspididae, and some of the Colubridae. The toxicity of venom is mainly indicated by murine LD50, while multiple factors are considered to judge the potential danger to humans. Other important factors for risk assessment include the likelihood that a snake will bite, the quantity of venom delivered with the bite, the efficiency of the delivery mechanism, and the location of a bite on the body of the victim. Snake venom may have both neurotoxic and hemotoxic properties. There are about 600 venomous snake species in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sea snake</span> Subfamily of reptiles

Sea snakes, or coral reef snakes, are elapid snakes that inhabit marine environments for most or all of their lives. They belong to two subfamilies, Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae. Hydrophiinae also includes Australasian terrestrial snakes, whereas Laticaudinae only includes the sea kraits (Laticauda), of which three species are found exclusively in freshwater. If these three freshwater species are excluded, there are 69 species of sea snakes divided between seven genera.

<i>Hydrophis</i> Genus of snakes

Hydrophis is a genus of sea snakes, venomous snakes in the subfamily Hydrophiinae of the family Elapidae. Species in the genus Hydrophis are typically found in Indo-Australian and Southeast Asian waters. Currently, around 36 species are recognized as being valid.

<i>Hydrophis peronii</i> Species of snake

Hydrophis peronii, commonly known as the horned sea snake, Peron's sea snake, and the spiny-headed seasnake, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Hydrophiinae of the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to the western tropical Pacific Ocean. It is the only sea snake with spines on the head. It is sometimes placed in its own genus Acalyptophis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-bellied sea snake</span> Species of snake

The yellow-bellied sea snake is a venomous species of snake from the subfamily Hydrophiinae found in tropical oceanic waters around the world except for the Atlantic Ocean. For many years, it was placed in the monotypic genus Pelamis, but recent molecular evidence indicates it lies within the genus Hydrophis.

Hydrophis zweifeli is a species of snakes found from New Guinea to Australia. In the past they were thought to be Enhydrina schistosa, but after DNA testing are now provisionally identified as Hydrophis zweifeli. DNA test have shown they are not related to Hydrophis schistosus.

Aipysurus mosaicus is a species of snake found in coastal seas of Australia. It is commonly known as the mosaic sea snake.

References

  1. ↑ Sanders, K.; Rasmussen, A.R.; Courtney, T. (2021). "Hydrophis donaldi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T129305725A129305728. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T129305725A129305728.en . Retrieved 19 August 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Ukuwela, Kanishka D. B.; Kate L. Sanders & Bryan G. Fry 2012. Hydrophis donaldi (Elapidae, Hydrophiinae), a highly distinctive new species of sea snake from northern Australia. Zootaxa 3201: 45–57.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Dell'Amore, Christine. "Spiny, Venomous New Sea Snake Discovered―'Something Special'." National Geographic. 02 03 2012: n. page. Web. 4 Sep. 2012. .
  4. 1 2 3 4 Smith, Birdie. "Rare sea snake slid under the radar." Age 01 03 2012. Web. 4 Sep. 2012. .
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