New species of sea snake in Australia

Has unique raised scalesFebruary 2012: Scientists have discovered a new species of sea snake in the Gulf of Carpenteria, northern Australia, which is unique in having raised scales. University of Queensland Associate Professor Bryan Fry said that Hydrophis donaldii had evaded earlier discovery as it prefers estuarine habitats that are poorly surveyed and not targeted by commercial fisheries.

‘Weipa really is one of the last sea snake "Serengetis". We can see more than 200 sea snakes in a single night's hunting, whereas sea snake populations have really crashed elsewhere through over-fishing removing their prey and also the snakes drowning in trawling nets,' Associate Professor Fry said.

'May be the souce of the next billion-dollar wonder drug'Associate Professor Fry said the findings extend beyond simply discovering a rare animal. ‘All venomous animals are bio-resources and have provided sources of many life-saving medications, such as treatments for high-blood pressure and diabetes.

‘This reinforces why we need to conserve all of nature as the next billion-dollar wonder-drug may come from as unlikely a source as sea snake venom.'

The snake has been given the scientific name Hydrophis donaldii to honour Associate Professor Fry's long-time boat captain David Donald.

‘Quite simply we would not have found this snake without Dave's unique knowledge of the area. I told him we wanted to survey as many distinct types of habitat as possible and he guided us to the perfect spots,' Associate Professor Fry said.

The snake has been given the common-name ‘rough-scaled sea snake' to reflect the unique scalation.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/sea-snake2012.html