Abstract
We describe a distinctive new subspecies of sea snake from the occasionally anoxic inner-basin waters of Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica, based on combined data garnered between 2010 and 2017 for 154 specimens, 123 free-ranging and 31 museum-held. The yellow sea snake, Hydrophis platurus xanthos Bessesen & Galbreath, subsp. n., is diagnosed by a notably smaller body size and nearly uniform yellow coloration, which contrasts with the black and yellow striae and tail spots or bands typical of the species. Within the modest geographic range (circa 320 km2), nearly all specimens possess both diagnostic character states. Bathymetrics appear to restrict genetic flow between this allopatric population and conspecifics in the broader Eastern Pacific. In perspicuous contrast to typical H. platurus, H. p. xanthos shows no association with drift lines, and feeds at night in turbulent waters, assuming a sinusoidal ambush posture never previously reported for the species. This evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) warrants taxonomic recognition and active protection.
Highlights
Hydrophis platurus (Linnaeus, 1766; as Anguis platura) is an elapid sea snake widespread in the Indo-Pacific region
A total of 69 yellow sea snakes collected from the inner basin of Golfo Dulce was measured and weighed
total length (TL) ranged from 40–59 cm, with a mean of 49.1 cm
Summary
Hydrophis platurus (Linnaeus, 1766; as Anguis platura) is an elapid sea snake widespread in the Indo-Pacific region. Considered diurnal, it does not appear to spend time at the sea surface at night (Rubinoff et al 1986; see our contrasting data below), preferring high light levels, which may suggest some reliance on visual cues for predation (Brischoux and Lillywhite 2011). The species has generally been found to actively avoid turbulent waters (Dunson and Ehlert 1971, Rubinoff et al 1986, Cook and Brischoux 2014). Hydrophis platurus is sexually dimorphic in size, with females larger on average. Weight averages in ecological studies have included 91 g (Graham et al 1971) and 140 g (Rubinoff et al 1986)
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