Genus Hydrophis Sonnini & Latreille, 1802

Museums

Regional Maps

• Hydrophis Sonnini de Manoncourt, C.S. & Latreille, P.A. 1802. Histoire e Naturelle des Reptiles, avec Figures Déssinnées d'après Nature. In Buffon, G.L.L. de Histoire Naturelle de Buffon, classée d'après le systême de Linné par R.R. Castel. Nouvelle édition. (Suites). Paris : Déterville. [193].

  Type species:

   Hydrophis laticauda Sonnini & Latreille, 1802 by subsequent designation, see Smith, M.A. 1926. Monograph on the Sea Snakes. (Hydrophiidae). London : British Museum xvii 130 pp.
• Liopala Gray, J.E. 1842. Monographic synopsis of the water snakes, or the family Hydridae. pp. 59-68 in Gray, J.E. (ed.). The Zoological Miscellany. London : Treuttel, Würz & Co. [60].

  Type species:

   Hydrus gracilis Shaw, 1802 by subsequent designation, see Gray, J.E. 1849. Catalogue of the Specimens of Snakes in the Collection of the British Museum. London : Trustees of the British Museum xv 125 pp.
• Liopola Gray, J.E. 1842. Monographic synopsis of the water snakes, or the family Hydridae. pp. 59-68 in Gray, J.E. (ed.). The Zoological Miscellany. London : Treuttel, Würz & Co. [60] [errore pro Liopala Gray, 1842].
• Asturia Gray, J.E. 1842. Description of some hitherto unrecorded species of Australian reptiles and batrachians. pp. 51-57 in Gray, J.E. (ed.). The Zoological Miscellany. London : Treuttel, Würz & Co. [55] [nom. nud.; date of publication, Apr. 1842].
• Porrecticollis Wall, F. 1921. Ophidia Taprobanica or the Snakes of Ceylon. Colombo : Cottle xxii 581 pp. [335].

  Type species:

   Hydrophis obscurus Daudin, 1803 by monotypy.
• Dolichodira Wall, F. 1921. Ophidia Taprobanica or the Snakes of Ceylon. Colombo : Cottle xxii 581 pp. [399].

  Type species:

   Hydrophis diadema Günther, 1864 (=Hydrophis torquata Günther, 1864) by monotypy.
• Polypholophis Wall, F. 1921. Ophidia Taprobanica or the Snakes of Ceylon. Colombo : Cottle xxii 581 pp. [380].

  Type species:

   Hydrophis neglectus Wall, 1906 (=Hydrophis stricticollis Günther, 1864) by monotypy.
• Micromastophis Wall, F. 1921. Ophidia Taprobanica or the Snakes of Ceylon. Colombo : Cottle xxii 581 pp. [errata insert] [nom. subsit. pro Aturia Wall, 1921; Wall, F. 1921. Ophidia Taprobanica or the Snakes of Ceylon. Colombo : Cottle xxii 581 pp. [344]; ?non Aturia Gray, 1824].

  Type species:

   Hydrus fasciatus Schneider, 1799 by monotypy.

  Secondary source:

   Wall, F. 1921. Ophidia Taprobanica or the Snakes of Ceylon. Colombo : Cottle xxii 581 pp.
• Acalyptophis Boulenger, G.A. 1896. Catalogue of Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). 3. London : British Museum xiv 727 pp. 25 pls. [269] [nom. substit. pro Acalyptus Duméril, 1853].
• Acalyptus Duméril, A.M.C. 1853. Prodrome général de la classification des serpents. Mémoires de l'Académie des Sciences de l'Institut de France 23: 399-536 [522] [non Acalyptus Schonheer, 1836].

  Type species:

   Acalyptus peronii Duméril, 1853 by monotypy.
• Pseudodistira Kinghorn, J.R. 1926. A new genus of sea snake and other reptiles collected by H.M.A.S. Geranium during a cruise to north Australia. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1926: 71-74 [71].

  Type species:

   Pseudodistira horrida Kinghorn, 1926 by monotypy.
• Chitulia Gray, 1849.

  Type species:

   Chitulia inornata Gray, 1849 by subsequent designation.
• Astrotia Fischer, J.G. 1856. Die Familie der Seeschlangen. Abhandlungen aus dem Gebiete der Naturwissenschaften. Hamburg 3: 1-78 [38].

  Type species:

   Hydrophis schizopholis Schmidt, 1846 by monotypy.
• Disteira Lacépède, B.G.E. 1804. Mémoire sur plusieurs animaux de la Nouvelle-Hollande dont la description n'a pas encore été publiée. Annales du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle. Paris 4: 184-211 pls 55-58 [210].

  Type species:

   Disteira doliata Lacépède, 1804 by monotypy.
• Distira Boulenger, G.A. 1896. Catalogue of Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). 3. London : British Museum xiv 727 pp. 25 pls. [285] [invalid emend. pro Disteira Lacépède, 1804].
• Melanomystax Wall, F. 1921. Ophidia Taprobanica or the Snakes of Ceylon. Colombo : Cottle xxii 581 pp. [381].

  Type species:

   Hydrophis nigrocinctus Daudin, 1803 by monotypy.
• Lapemis Gray, J.E. 1835. Illustrations of Indian Zoology; Chiefly Selected from the Collection of Major-General Hardwicke. London Vol. 2. pp. 19-20 pl. 87 [pl. 87 fig. 2].

  Type species:

   Lapemis hardwickii Gray, 1835 by monotypy.
• Praescutata Wall, F. 1921. Ophidia Taprobanica or the Snakes of Ceylon. Colombo : Cottle xxii 581 pp. [390].

  Type species:

   Thalassophis viperina Schmidt, 1852 by monotypy.
• Thalassophina Smith, M.A. 1926. Monograph on the Sea Snakes. (Hydrophiidae). London : British Museum xvii 130 pp. [33].

  Type species:

   Thalassophis viperina Schmidt, 1852 by monotypy.
• Kolpophis Smith, M.A. 1926. Monograph on the Sea Snakes. (Hydrophiidae). London : British Museum xvii 130 pp. [106].

  Type species:

   Distira annandalei Laidlaw, 1901 by monotypy.
• Leioselasma Lacépède, 1804.

  Type species:

   Leioselasma striata Lacépède, 1804 (Species inquirenda) by monotypy, see Cogger, H.G., Cameron, E.E. & Cogger, H.M. 1983. Amphibia and Reptilia. In, Walton, D.W. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 1 vi + 313 pp.
• Pelamis Daudin, F.M. 1803. Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière des Reptiles. Paris : Dufart Vol. 7 436 pp. [357].

  Type species:

   Pelamis bicolor Schneider, 1799 by subsequent designation, see Gray, J.E. 1825. A synopsis of the genera of Reptiles and Amphibia, with a description of some new species. Annals of Philosophy 2 10: 193-217.
• Pelamydrus Stejneger, L. 1910. The batrachians and reptiles of Formosa. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 38: 91-114 [111].

  Type species:

   Anguis platura Linnaeus, 1766 by original designation.

 

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Smith, M.A. 1926. Monograph on the Sea Snakes. (Hydrophiidae). London : British Museum xvii 130 pp.
• Cogger, H.G., in Cogger, H.G., Cameron, E.E. & Cogger, H.M. 1983. Amphibia and Reptilia. 313 pp. in Walton, D.W. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 1 vi + 313 pp. [249]
• Sanders, K.L., Lee, M.S.Y., Mumpuni, Bertozzi, T & Rasmussen, A.R. 2013. Multilocus phylogeny and recent rapid radiation of the viviparous sea snakes (Elapidae: Hydrophiinae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 66: 575-591 (for Pelamis (including previously considered as junior synonym Pelamydrus), Enhydrina, Astrotia, Thalassophina, Acalyptophis (including previously considered junior synonyms Acalyptus and Pseudodistira), Kerilia, Lapemis (including previously considered junior synonyms Praescutata, Thalassophina and Kolpophis) and Disteira (including previously considered junior synonyms Distira and Melanomystax))

 

Introduction

Rasmussen et al. (2014) list Hydrophis laboutei Rasmussen & Ineich, 2000 as possibly occurring in Australian waters, but until the presence of this species is confirmed it is not included here. There is no evidence that H. inornatus (Gray, 1849), H. melanocephalus Gray, 1849, H. melanosoma Günther, 1864, H. ornatus (Gray, 1842) and H. obscurus Daudin, 1803 occur in Australian waters (Rasmussen et al. 2014).

 

Excluded Taxa

Misidentifications

ELAPIDAE: Hydrophis inornatus (Gray, 1849) [dismiss reports and identity of specimens upon which putative occurrence in Australian waters is based] — Rasmussen, A.R., Sanders, K.L., Guinea, M.L. & Amey, A.P. 2014. Sea snakes in Australian waters (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae)—a review with an updated identification key. Zootaxa 3869(4): 351-371 [354]

ELAPIDAE: Hydrophis melanosoma Günther, 1864 — Rasmussen, A.R., Sanders, K.L., Guinea, M.L. & Amey, A.P. 2014. Sea snakes in Australian waters (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae)—a review with an updated identification key. Zootaxa 3869(4): 351-371 [354] (consider that all reports from Australian waters lack validation)

HYDROPHIIDAE: Hydrophis obscurus Daudin, 1803

ELAPIDAE: Hydrophis ornatus (Gray, 1842) — Rasmussen, A.R., Sanders, K.L., Guinea, M.L. & Amey, A.P. 2014. Sea snakes in Australian waters (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae)—a review with an updated identification key. Zootaxa 3869(4): 351-371 [355]

ELAPIDAE: Hydrophis schistosa Daudin, 1803

 

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Palaearctic Region—waters of Persian Gulf, Oriental Region—Indian subcontinent, SE Asia, Indo-Malayan Archipelago, Philippines Australian Region—New Guinea, islands of western Pacific.

IBRA and IMCRA regions

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Lord Howe Province (14), Central Eastern Transition (15), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Cape Province (20), Norfolk Island Province (21), Cocos (Keeling) Island Province (22), Christmas Island Province (23), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northwest Province (4), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6)

Other Regions

Coral Sea Islands Territory, Territory of Ashmore & Cartier Islands, Torres Strait Islands terrestrial, marine & freshwater

Notes

Details for Hydrophis melanosoma Günther, 1864, now excluded from Australian waters:

Hydrophis melanosoma Günther, 1864

Common Names: Black-banded Robust Seasnake
Taxon Codes: CAVS: 2759

Taxonomy: Synonyms and Associated Data
Hydrophis melanosoma Günther, 1864
Günther, A. 1864. The Reptiles of British India. London : Royal Society xxvii 444 pp. [367, pl. 25 fig. E].
Type data: Holotype BMNH 1946.1.10.6, locality unknown.
Taxonomic decision for synonymy: Smith, M.A. 1926. Monograph on the Sea Snakes. (Hydrophiidae). London : British Museum xvii 130 pp.
Cogger, H.G. 1983. in Cogger, H.G., Cameron, E.E. & Cogger, H.M. Amphibia and Reptiles. In Walton, D.W. (ed.) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 1. Netley, South Australia : Griffin Press Ltd. vi 313 pp. [252]

Distribution
State: Queensland, Western Australia
Extra Distribution Information: Arafura Sea, Coral Sea.
IMCRA: Northeast Shelf Transition (41)
Ecology: Aquatic, continental shelf, inshore, nektonic, piscivore.
Extra Ecological Information: Perennially active, viviparous.

Notes: Non-Australian synonyms:
Hydrophis floweri Boulenger, G.A. (1898). Description of a new sea-snake from Borneo. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1898: 106-107 [106, pl. 9].
Type data: syntypes BMNH 1946.1.9.48-51.
Type locality: Brunei Bay, Borneo.

Taxonomic decision for synonymy: Smith, M.A. (1926). Monograph on the Sea Snakes. (Hydrophiidae). London : British Museum xvii 130 pp.; Cogger, H.G. (1983). in Cogger, H.G., Cameron, E.E. & Cogger, H.M. Amphibia and Reptiles. In Walton, D.W. (ed.) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 1. Netley, South Australia : Griffin Press Ltd vi 313 pp. [252].

General References
Cogger, H.G. 1975. The sea snakes of Australia and New Guinea. pp. 59-139 in Dunson, W. (ed.). The Biology of Sea Snakes. Baltimore : University Park Press. (taxonomy)
McDowell, S.B. 1972. The genera of sea-snakes of the Hydrophis group (Serpentes: Elapidae). Transactions of the Zoological Society of London 32: 189-247 (taxonomy)
Smith, M.A. 1926. Monograph on the Sea Snakes. (Hydrophiidae). London : British Museum xvii 130 pp. (taxonomy)

Common Name References
Clayton, M., Wombey, J.C., Mason, I.J., Chesser, R.T. & Wells, A. 2006. CSIRO List of Australian Vertebrates: A Reference with Conservation Status. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing iv 162 pp. [47] (Black-banded Robust Seasnake)

Notes

Details for Hydrophis inornatus, now excluded from Australian waters:

Hydrophis inornatus (J.E. Gray, 1849)
Common Names: Plain Seasnake
Taxon Codes: CAVS: 2757

Taxonomy: Synonyms and Associated Data
Chitulia inornatus Gray, 1849
Gray, J.E. 1849. Catalogue of the Specimens of Snakes in the Collection of the British Museum. London : British Museum xv 125 pp. [56].
Type data: Holotype BMNH 1946.1.1.27, Indian Ocean.

Chitulia fasciata Gray, 1849
Gray, J.E. 1849. Catalogue of the Specimens of Snakes in the Collection of the British Museum. London : British Museum xv 125 pp. [56].
Type data: Holotype BMNH 1946.1.1.59, Indian Ocean.

Hydrophis manillae Owen, 1859
Owen, R. 1859. Descriptive Catalogue of the Specimens of Natural History in Spirit Contained in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons. Vertebrata. London : Royal College of Surgeons. [77] [nom. nud.].
Type data: Syntype(s).

Hydrophis longiceps Günther, 1864
Günther, A. 1864. The Reptiles of British India. London : Royal Society xxvii 444 pp. [375, pl. 25 fig. 0] [unnecessary replacement name for Chitulia fasciata Gray, 1849].
Taxonomic decision for synonymy: Smith, M.A. 1926. Monograph on the Sea Snakes. (Hydrophiidae). London : British Museum xvii 130 pp.
Cogger, H.G. 1983. in Cogger, H.G., Cameron, E.E. & Cogger, H.M. Amphibia and Reptiles. In Walton, D.W. (ed.) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 1. Netley, South Australia : Griffin Press Ltd. vi 313 pp. [251]

Generic Combinations
Hydrophis inornatus (J.E. Gray, 1849). —
Cogger, H.G., Cameron, E.E. & Cogger, H.M. 1983. Amphibia and Reptilia. In, Walton, D.W. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 1 313 pp. [251] (as Hydrophis inornatus (J.E. Gray, 1849))

Distribution
State: Western Australia
Extra Distribution Information: Arafura Sea, Timor Sea.
IMCRA: Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26)
Ecology: Aquatic, continental shelf, diurnal, inshore, nektonic, piscivore.
Extra Ecological Information: Perennially active, viviparous.

Notes: Non-Australian synonyms:
Thalassophis schlegelii Schmidt, P. (1852). Beiträge zur ferneren kentniss der Meerschlangen. Abh. Geb. Naturw. Hamburg 2: 69-86 [83, pl. 5].
Type data: syntypes ZMH 393-395 (see Smith, M.A. (1926). Monograph on the Sea Snakes. (Hydrophiidae). London : British Museum xvii 130 pp.).
Type locality: Java, Indonesia.

Taxonomic decision for synonymy: Smith, M.A. (1926). Monograph on the Sea Snakes. (Hydrophiidae). London : British Museum xvii 130 pp.; Cogger, H.G. (1983). in Cogger, H.G., Cameron, E.E. & Cogger, H.M. Amphibia and Reptiles. In Walton, D.W. (ed.) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 1. Netley, South Australia : Griffin Press Ltd vi 313 pp. [251].

General References
Cogger, H.G. 1975. The sea snakes of Australia and New Guinea. pp. 59-139 in Dunson, W. (ed.). The Biology of Sea Snakes. Baltimore : University Park Press. (taxonomy)
McDowell, S.B. 1972. The genera of sea-snakes of the Hydrophis group (Serpentes: Elapidae). Transactions of the Zoological Society of London 32: 189-247 (taxonomy)
Smith, M.A. 1926. Monograph on the Sea Snakes. (Hydrophiidae). London : British Museum xvii 130 pp. (taxonomy)
Common Name References
Clayton, M., Wombey, J.C., Mason, I.J., Chesser, R.T. & Wells, A. 2006. CSIRO List of Australian Vertebrates: A Reference with Conservation Status. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing iv 162 pp. [46] (Plain Seasnake)

 

General References

Rasmussen, A.R., Sanders, K.L., Guinea, M.L. & Amey, A.P. 2014. Sea snakes in Australian waters (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae)—a review with an updated identification key. Zootaxa 3869(4): 351-371

 

History of changes

Published	As part of group	Action Date	Action Type	Compiler(s)
07-Feb-2024	SQUAMATA	07-Feb-2024	MODIFIED
04-Feb-2023	ELAPIDAE Boie, 1827	06-Dec-2023	MODIFIED
25-Feb-2022	ELAPIDAE Boie, 1827	07-Feb-2024	MODIFIED
25-Feb-2022	Hydrophiinae Fitzinger, 1843	07-Feb-2024	MODIFIED
03-Oct-2018	ELAPIDAE Boie, 1827	07-Feb-2024	MODIFIED
07-Feb-2024	SERPENTES	07-Feb-2024	MODIFIED
07-Feb-2024	ELAPIDAE	07-Feb-2024	MODIFIED
02-Oct-2014	Hydrophis Sonnini & Latreille, 1802	07-Feb-2024	MODIFIED
07-Feb-2024		07-Feb-2024	MODIFIED
08-Mar-2011		07-Feb-2024	MODIFIED
		07-Feb-2024	MODIFIED