Aim There are several competing hypotheses to explain the high species richness of the Indo-Australian Archipelago (IAA) marine biodiversity hotspot centred within Southeast (SE) Asia. We use phylogenetic methods to provide a novel perspective on this problem using viviparous sea snakes, a group with high species richness in the IAA that is highly distinct from other taxa previously studied, both phylogenetically (Reptilia, Amniota) and biologically (e.g. viviparity and direct development).Location Indian Ocean and the West Pacific. MethodsWe used likelihood and Bayesian methods to reconstruct a multi-locus time-calibrated phylogeny for c. 70% of viviparous sea snake species, many sampled from multiple localities in Australasia, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. We then compared rates and temporal concordance of inferred vicariance and dispersal events between marine basins using several approaches including new Bayesian analyses that allow for clade-specific and event-specific dispersal rates.Results Phylogenetic analyses and novel Bayesian biogeographical reconstructions indicate that viviparous sea snakes underwent rapid speciation after colonizing SE Asia c. 3 million years ago. Most of the SE Asian sea snake diversity is the result of in situ speciation, most consistent with the 'centre of origin' and 'centre of refuge' models for biodiversity hotspots. There is also speciation at the periphery, or entirely outside SE Asia; however, contrary to predictions of the 'accumulation' and 'overlap' models, these new outlying taxa do not preferentially disperse back into SE Asia. Instead, lineages are equally likely to disperse either into or away from SE Asia. Main conclusionThe high diversity of sea snakes in SE Asia (and hence the IAA) is mostly explained by in situ speciation rather than accumulation or overlap. Most speciation events are contemporaneous with sea level changes that generated and dissolved barriers between marine basins during the last 2.5 million years.

The Persian Gulf is known as the westernmost distribution limit for sea snakes, except for Hydrophis platurus (Linnaeus, 1766) that reaches southeastern Africa. Previous identification guides for sea snakes of the Persian Gulf and its adjacent waters in the Gulf of Oman were based on old data and confined mostly to written descriptions. Therefore, a series of field surveys were carried out in 2013 and 2014 through Iranian coastal waters of both gulfs to provide a comprehensive sampling of sea snakes in the area. This paper presents an illustrated and updated checklist and identification tool for sea snakes in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, which are based on new material and a review of the literature. This checklist includes ten species of marine hydrophiines, of which one, Microcephalophis cantoris (Günther, 1864), is a new record for the area. All specimens examined herein are deposited and available at the Zoological Museum of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman province, Iran.

Levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), and vanadium (V) were evaluated in coastal sediments, egg contents, and eggshells of crab plover (Dromas ardeola), bridled tern (Sterna anaethetus), lesser crested tern (S. bengalensis), and western reef heron (Egretta gularis) breeding in the northwestern Persian Gulf. Levels of Cd, Pb, Ni, V, and Se were greater in eggs of terns than in eggs of crab plover, perhaps due to the higher trophic level of terns. Levels of all elements were lower than known effects levels for birds. However, levels of Se in eggs were greater than those known to cause toxic effects in birds. Eggs of terns are ideal for monitoring metal contaminants on the breeding grounds because the bioaccumulation ratios (egg/sediment) of some metals (As, Co, Se) in the eggs of terns are significantly greater compared with those of crab plovers.

Chthamalid barnacles may be highly affected by environmental factors as they Uve in the upper intertidal zone, where other balanids cannot hve due to the harsh conditions of the habitat. This study presents some information on the effects of temperature and food availability on the growth and moulting rates of a chthamalid barnacle, Microeuraphia permitini (Zevina & Litvinova, 1970) of the subfamily Euraphinae. Growth and moulting rates were estimated at different temperatures (20, 25 and 30°C) and food concentrations (6, 12 and 25 Artemia ind~' day^'). The results indicated that growth rate generally increased at 12 and 25 Artemia ind~' day"' compared \.o6 Artemia ind~' day"'. Further, the highest growth rates of 0.32 ± 0.02 (% RCD/day) and 0.35 ± 0.01 were observed at 30°C when barnacles were fed with 12 and 25 Artemia ind~' day"', respectively. Results of a two-way analysis of variance indicated temperature and food concentrations have a combined positive effect on growth (F = 3.1, P = 0.02) and moulting (F = 3.9, P = 0.01) rates of the species. The food concentration in particular has a major effect on growth and moulting activities; whereas the effect of temperature was minor and limited to increased feeding rate, which may be a result of increasing vital activities including rate of cirral beating. Continued observations noted a reduced growth rate before maturity of the specimens, which can be attributed to a loss of tissue as egg masses. RESUMELes balanes Chthamalidae, du fait qu'elles vivent dans la zone intertidale supérieure, où d'autres balanes ne peuvent pas vivre à cause des rudes conditions de cet habitat, peuvent être affectées par des facteurs environnementaux. Ce travail présente des informations sur les effets de la température et de la disponibilité de l'alimentation sur la croissance et le rythme des mues d'une balanê ) 642 RAZIEH SAVARI ET AL.Chthamalidae, de la sous famille des Euraphinae, Microeuraphia permitini (Zevina & Litvinova, 1970). La croissance et le rythme des mues ont été estimés à différentes températures (20, 25 et 30°C) et concentrations de nourriture (6,12 et 25 Artemia ind~' jour"' ). Les résultats indiquent que le taux de croissance a généralement été augmenté à 12 et 25 Artemia ind~' jour ~' par rapport à 6 Artemia ind~' jour"'. De plus, les taux de croissance les plus élevés de 0,32 ± 0,02 (%RCD/jour) et 0,35 ± 0,01 ont été observes à 30°C quand les balanes ont été nourries respectivement avec 12 et 25 Artemia ind~' jour ~'. Les résultats d'une analyse de variance à deux facteurs ont indiqué que la température et la concentration de nourriture ont un effet positif combiné sur la croissance (F = 3,1, P = 0,02) et le rythme de mue {F = 3,9, P = 0,01) de l'espèce. La concentration de nourriture en particulier a eu un effet majeur sur la croissance et la mue, tandis que les effets de la température ont été mineurs et limités à une augmentation du taux d'alimentation, ce qui pourrait être le résultat d'une augmentation des activités vitales incluant le battement ciliaire. D...

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This study is the first detailed ecotoxicological study of the annulated sea snake, Hydrophis cyanocinctus. Concentrations of lead, cadmium, nickel and vanadium were evaluated in muscle, liver, kidney, skin and blood of the annulated sea snake (H. cyanocinctus) and in the whole bodies of its main prey species (Periophthalmus waltoni and Boleophthalmus dussumieri) in the Hara Protected Area, the Persian Gulf. The mean concentrations of lead and vanadium were highest in the kidney, which identified the kidney as a target organ for metals in sea snakes as it is in other reptilian groups. Mean concentrations of cadmium and nickel were highest in the liver and skin, respectively. Mean cadmium concentrations were significantly higher in the liver compared to prey species, which indicated that prey items may be a source of cadmium for the annulated sea snake in the study area. Data presented here may be considered as a baseline for further ecotoxicological studies in sea snakes.

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The northwestern Indian Ocean hosts globally crucial marine biodiversity, which is relatively understudied. There has, however, been significant research and conservation effort focused on marine turtles across the region in recent decades. We undertook an exhaustive review of 251 relevant publications to extract and collate the current information concerning marine turtles. To ensure completeness, we received input on a preliminary draft from a large group of experts who have worked extensively in the region. Data presented here are from all 13 countries with significant coastlines in the region (Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen) on occurrence, nesting biology, morphology, foraging areas, population status, threats, and relevant national legislation and international conservation strategies. The experts independently provided details on what they felt were the (1) most significant threats to marine turtles, (2) most critical knowledge gaps for marine turtle ecology, (3) impediments to practical conservation, and (4) essential strengths and opportunities in the region.