Laticauda colubrina (Schneider 1799)

Chandramouli, S. R., 2022, Snake fauna of the Andaman Islands, Bay of Bengal-A review of species richness taxonomy, distribution, natural history and conservation status, Zootaxa 5209 (3), pp. 301-331 : 313

Laticauda colubrina (Schneider 1799)

( Fig. 9A , 12D )

Material studied: An adult, CSPT/S-36, an adult from the Andaman Islands ( Fig. 5C ).

Morphology: Dorsal scales smooth, in 22:21:19 rows, ventrals 241; subcaudals 43 pairs; anal divided, preocular 1; postoculars 2; prefrontals 3. Body with alternate black and bluish grey bands; tail paddle shaped, upper lip with a yellow streak.

Distribution: Several individuals were encountered on the sea-coast in Wandoor and Chidiyatapu (South Andamnan), Grub Island, Middle Andaman, John Lawrance, Paget and North Reef Islands. They were observed on fallen dead trees and amidst rocks on the sea-shore. They normally congregate on the sea-shore at night in huge numbers.

Remarks: Studies on behavior and population of sea-kraits were undertaken in the Wandoor, South Andaman Island in the past which show that L. colubrina is more abundant than L. laticaudata in this region ( Shetty and Prasad, 1996; Shetty and Sivasundar, 1998; Tyabji et al. 2018).

Status: Common.

Figures

FIGURE 5. Specimens studied: (A) Ophiophagus hannah (CIARI uncat.), (B) Laticauda laticaudata (ANFD uncat.), (C) Laticauda colubrina(CSPT/S-36), (D) Trimeresurusandersoni (CSPT/S-70), (E) drawingof theholotype ofHebius nicobariensis by Sclater (1891)

FIGURE 9. (A) Laticauda colubrina (South Andaman), (B & C) male and female Trimeresurus andersoni (South Andaman), (D) Eryx conicus (South Andaman), (E) the snake that appears to be Hebius nicobariensis (Havelock: photo: Binu)

FIGURE 12. Locality records of (A): Boiga andamanensis and B. cyannea (B) Ptyas mucosa, Gonyosoma oxycephalum and Coelognathus flavolineatus (C) Naja sagittifera, Ophiophagus hannah, Bungarus andamanensis; (D) Laticauda laticaudata, Laticauda colubrina and Trimeresurus andersoni