Northern mangrove seasnake explained

The northern mangrove seasnake (Parahydrophis mertoni), also known commonly as the Arafura smooth seasnake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to Australia and New Guinea.

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1910 as Distira mertoni by Jean Roux. It was transferred to the genus, Parahydrophis, in 1974 by Burger and Netsuno.

Etymology

The specific name, mertoni, is in honor of German zoologist Hugo Merton.^[1]

Geographic range

Parahydrophis mertoni is found in Northern Australia^[2] in Northern Territory and Queensland. It is also found in New Guinea in the Arafura Sea.^[3] It is found in the inter-tidal zone.

Description

Parahydrophis mertoni is blackish-olive with about 46 yellow rings on the body and ten on the tail. The head shields are spotted with yellow, except for the rostral and labials which are black.^[4]

Reproduction

Parahydrophis mertoni is viviparous.^[3]

Further reading

• Cogger HG (2014). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Seventh Edition. Clayton, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. xxx + 1,033 pp. .
• Roux J (1910). "Reptilien und Amphibien der Aru- und Kei-Inseln ". Abhandlungen der Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft 33: 211–247. (Distira mertoni, new species, p. 222 + Plate 13, figures 4 & 4a). (in German).
• Wilson, Steve

Swan, Gerry (2013). A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia, Fourth Edition. Sydney: New Holland Publishers. 522 pp. .

Notes and References

1. [species:Bo Beolens|Beolens, Bo]
2. Web site: Species Parahydrophis mertoni (Roux, 1910). Australian Biological Resources Study. 26 August 2013. Australian Faunal Directory. Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Australian Government. 6 October 2017. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.
3. . www.reptile-database.org.
4. [Nelly de Rooij|de Rooij N]