Multilocus phylogeny and recent rapid radiation of the viviparous sea snakes (Elapidae: Hydrophiinae)

“…Viviparous sea snakes comprise 63 described species that share a terrestrial Australian ancestor only c. 10.6-6.5 million years ago (Ma) (Sanders et al, 2008;Lukoschek et al, 2012;Sanders et al, 2013a;Sanders et al, 2013b). They occupy shallow-marine habitats throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biogeographic origins of the viviparous sea snake assemblage (Elapidae) of the Indian Ocean

et al. 2017

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Abstract:One of the primary goals in biogeography is to understand how different biotas have been assembled in different regions of the world. The presence of the viviparous sea snakes in the Indian Ocean (IO) poses a unique question in this regard due to their evolutionary origins in Australasia (Australia and New Guinea). Here, we examined the origins and patterns of colonization of the IO sea snake assemblage through time-calibrated molecular phylogenies and ancestral area reconstructions. We further evaluated how past and present barriers to dispersal affect genetic diversity of IO sea snakes by examining the population genetic structure of the widespread sea snake, Hydrophis curtus. Our phylogenetic analyses and ancestral area reconstructions strongly indicate that the majority of the IO sea snakes are derived from the Southeast Asian (SEA) sea snake fauna through dispersal and colonization with an in situ radiation (Hydrophis stricticollis-Hydrophis obscurus clade). Further, many species have undergone vicariant speciation events across the Sunda shelf/Indo-Pacific barrier, which formed during the low sea level periods of the Pleistocene. Population genetic analysis of H. curtus revealed a prominent genetic break between populations broadly distributed in the IO and SEA with limited recent gene flow indicating possible cryptic species. These results suggest that compared to the viviparous sea snake stem group that originated 10.6-6.5 million years ago, the IO viviparous sea snakes have a relatively long and complex evolutionary history in the IO and thus have a unique conservation value.

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“…Throughout the world, 62 sea snake species in Hydrophiinae and eight species in Laticaudinae are known (Smith 1926, Heatwole 1987, Slowinski et al 1997, Rasmussen 2001, 2011b, Scanlon and Lee 2004, Heatwole et al 2005, Sanders et al 2013. In East Asia (i.e., Korea, China, Taiwan, and Japan), a total of 16 sea snake species are listed: 13 in Hydrophiinae and three in Laticaudinae (Won 1971, Kang and Yoon 1975, Mao and Chen 1980, Zhao and Adler 1993, Toriba 1994, Goris and Maeda 2004.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chinese sea snake (Laticauda semifasciata) misidentified as slender-necked sea snake in previous published account in Korea

et al. 2016

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Recent ocean warming near the Korean peninsula and our lack of knowledge of an important vertebrate group, the sea snakes, encouraged us to clarify this part of Korea's regional fauna. We re-examined photographs that had been used to report the slender-necked sea snake (Hydrophis melanocephalus) in 1995. We discovered it was misidentified. To determine the correct identity of the sea snake, we studied 13 original photographs taken at the collecting site in Sooyoung Bay, Busan-si, in 1995 and determined the snake to be Laticauda semifasciata based on enlarged ventral scales, definitive for Laticaudinae sea snakes, and internasal scales, pale blue body color, divided rostral scale, and evident "V"-shaped stripes on the body trunk, definitive for L. semifasciata. Therefore, the snake caught 30 years ago in Korean waters should be considered the first record of a Laticaudinae sea snake in Korean waters. L. semifasciata is listed as near threatened setting the stage for urgently needed studies of sea snakes in Korea and supporting those currently underway.

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Multilocus phylogeny and recent rapid radiation of the viviparous sea snakes (Elapidae: Hydrophiinae)

Cited by 108 publications

References 47 publications

Two color morphs of the pelagic yellow-bellied sea snake, Pelamis platura, from different locations of Costa Rica: Snake venomics, toxicity, and neutralization by antivenom

Two color morphs of the pelagic yellow-bellied sea snake, Pelamis platura, from different locations of Costa Rica: Snake venomics, toxicity, and neutralization by antivenom

Biogeographic origins of the viviparous sea snake assemblage (Elapidae) of the Indian Ocean

Chinese sea snake (Laticauda semifasciata) misidentified as slender-necked sea snake in previous published account in Korea

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