Taxon name
Hydrophis platurus
(Linnaeus, 1766)
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Hydrophis platurus
(Linnaeus, 1766)
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Reptiles
Species authority
(Linnaeus, 1766)
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
A recent molecular phylogenetic study of 39 sea snake species in 15 genera recovered Hydrophis as broadly paraphyletic with respect to several other genera (Sanders et al. 2013). Instead of erecting multiple new genera, the authors recommended dismantling the mostly monotypic genera Pelamis, Enhydrina, Astrotia, Thalassophina, Acalyptophis, Kerilia, Lapemis and Disteira, and recognizing a single genus, Hydrophis, for these taxa (Sanders et al. 2013). This classification system avoids confusion and better reflects the history of recent and very rapid diversification of these snakes and are followed by most recent authors (e.g., Leviton et al. 2014, Lillywhite et al. 2014, Rasmussen et al. 2014, Ukuwela et al. 2014, D'Anastasi et al. 2016, Rezaie-Atagholipour et al. 2016, Udyawer et al. 2015, Mirtschin et al. 2017).A distinctive new subspecies of sea snake from inner-basin waters of Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica has been described (Bessesen and Galbreath 2017). The Yellow sea snake, Hydrophis platurus ssp. xanthos Bessesen & Galbreath, 2017 is diagnosed by a notably smaller body size and nearly uniform yellow colouration, which contrasts with the black and yellow striae and tail spots or bands typical of the species (Bessesen and Galbreath 2017).
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 breeds in the UAE marine area.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 (Gasperetti 1988, Egan 2007, Soorae et al. 2006, Gardner 2013, Buzás et al. 2018), with confirmed records from the Arabian Gulf (from small numbers of strandings) and the Gulf of Oman, where it is primarily found up to 8.9 km offshore, but seen at 13.8, 34.5, 44 and 78 km offshore; as a pelagic species, it can be found anywhere within the EEZ (Géczy et al. 2017, Buzás et al. 2018). The depth range is not certain, but likely to be found to c.5 m depth, as this is a surface-dwelling species. Recent museum records are available for the UAE in the Al Mayya Sanctuary, Fujairah.Globally, this species is very widespread in the tropical parts of the Pacific and Indian Oceans between the 18-20'º C isotherms (Dunson and Ehlert 1971, Graham et al. 1971). It is known from the coasts of eastern Africa, north to the Arabian Gulf, east along the Asian coast of the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, northward to Japan and eastward to the western coasts of the Americas (Culotta and Pickwell 1993, Heatwole 1999). Currents occasionally carry the snakes into temperate waters, but these are almost certainly far from their breeding and feeding waters (Guinea et al. 2017). The species has been reported, from a small number of records, from Atlantic waters (Atlantic coast of Africa and the Caribbean coast of Columbia), which suggests that colonization of the Atlantic Ocean is a possibility (Lillywhite et al. 2018).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This is a pelagic surface species, found to c.5 m depth in the UAE.Globally, this species is the most pelagic of the sea snakes, occurring in the open ocean well away from coasts and reefs, and may occur in coastal mangrove habitats (Guinea et al. 2017). This species is usually found in the 0-10 m range of the water column. In the open ocean, the snakes often occur in large numbers in association with long lines of debris.
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. There are no known major threats to this species. Minor threats may include bycatch in fisheries, ghost fishing nets, and pollution, including oil spills (Guinea et al. 2017).
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
