Aipysurus foliosquama

Leaf-scaled sea snake
Museum specimen
Scientific classification Edit this classification
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, 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]

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]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f 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. ^ a b "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.


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