Taxon name
Hydrophis ornatus
(Gray, 1842)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Hydrophis ornatus
(Gray, 1842)
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Reptiles
Species authority
(Gray, 1842)
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
This species has three subspecies: Hydrophis ornatus ornatus (Gray, 1942), Hydrophis ornatus godeffroyi Peters, 1873, and Hydrophis ornatus ocellatus Gray, 1849. The status of these subspecies is very uncertain, and the subspecies ocellatus is treated in this assessment as a separate distinct species (H. Cogger pers. comm. 2009). H. lamberti has been incorrectly considered a synonym of H. ornatus (Smith 1926). This species has also been treated under the genus Chitulia.
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
United Arab Emirates (the)
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Least Concern
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
Assessment rationale/justification
Presence of this species is confirmed within the United Arab Emirates marine territorial waters, where it occurs in both the Arabian Gulf and in the Gulf of Oman. In contrast with some other sea snakes in UAE waters, this species appears to be relatively abundant, at least on the east coast, and it is assumed to breed in the UAE.Whilst more research and monitoring is required, this species is considered Least Concern as the known threats are unlikely to be causing a significant decline at present.
Assessment details
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
Presence of this species is confirmed within the United Arab Emirates marine territorial waters (Soorae et al. 2006, Buzás et al. 2018). It is found in both the Arabian Gulf and in the Gulf of Oman. Breeding is confirmed, as juveniles are found in the waters off the east coast (Géczy et al. 2017, Buzás et al. 2018). On the east coast, it is found up to 8 km offshore (Géczy et al. 2017, Buzás et al. 2018). The depth range is not certain, but likely to be found to c. 45 m depth along the east coast. Museum specimens from Muscat, Oman (Boulenger 1887), Arabian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz (Gasperetti 1988). Recent museum records are available for the UAE in the Al Mayya Sanctuary, Fujairah.Globally, this species is found in the Arabian Gulf, east to Indonesia, China, and Taiwan (Culotta and Pickwell 1993, Heatwole 1999), and south to New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands (Ineich and Rasmussen 1997).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
In UAE waters this species is found up to 6-7 km offshore on the east coast, over sandy bottoms, sometimes associated with coral reefs. The habitat requirements in the UAE require further research. In the Arabian Gulf, there have been significant declines in coastal habitats, but specific utilisation of these habitats is uncertain.Globally, this species is found in coral reefs, turbid inshore waters, and estuaries (Heatwole 1999). It eats fish. The general reproductive strategy for the species includes small clutches (commonly 2-5 individuals). There is evidence of synchronized annual reproduction (Rasmussen 1989).
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
As with all sea snakes, this species is vulnerable to indirect threats from habitat loss and climate change throughout its range (Rasmussen et al. in prep.). The impact of oil spills and other marine pollution requires further study. They have the potential for entanglement in marine litter and abandoned fish traps (garghoor).
Publication
Els, J., Allen, D., Hilton-Taylor, C., Harding, K. (2019). UAE National Red List of Herpetofauna: Amphibians & Terrestrial Reptiles, Sea Snakes & Marine Turtles. MOCCAE, UAE
