Aipysurus foliosquama
| Leaf-scaled sea snake | |
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| Museum specimen | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Aipysurus |
| Species: | A. foliosquama
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| Binomial name | |
| Aipysurus foliosquama Smith, 1926
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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
[edit]The species was first described in 1926. The combination Smithohydrophis foliosquama (Kharin 1981) is recognised as a synonym.[1]
Description
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Scientists discover rare sea snakes, previously thought extinct, off Western Australia". phys.org. December 21, 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
- ^ Sanders, K. (February 2013). "Australian endangered species: Sea snakes". The Conversation.
- ^ "Aipysurus foliosquama – Leaf-scaled Seasnake". Species Profile and Threats Database. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
- ^ 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
- ^ 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.
External links
[edit]Media related to Aipysurus foliosquama at Wikimedia Commons
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