Dubois' sea serpent
| Dubois' sea serpent | ||||||||||||
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| Aipysurus duboisii | ||||||||||||
| Bavay , 1869 |
The Dubois sea snake ( Aipysurus duboisii ) is a species of sea snakes and poisonous snakes . The specific epithet duboisii was given in honor of the Belgian naturalist Charles Frédéric Dubois .
features
Aipysurus duboisii reaches a total length between 70 and 120 cm, a maximum of 148 cm. The head is moderately separated from the neck. The nostrils are facing up. The nasals touch each other. The eyes are separated from the supralabials by a series of large subocular scales . The tail is relatively long. The fangs are relatively short with a length of around 1.8 mm. The back scales lie in 19 rows around the middle of the body and are mostly smooth, but occasionally slightly keeled. The ventral shields have a notch on the back. Coloring and drawing are extremely variable. The basic color is usually cream to purple-brown, while the body is drawn in a reticulated pattern. The chin and neck are lighter in color than the rest of the body.
distribution
The geographic distribution area includes Papua New Guinea , New Caledonia and the northern, eastern and western coastal areas of Australia ( Coral Sea , Arafura Sea , Timor Sea and Indian Ocean ). Aipysurus duboisii can be found at depths of up to 80 meters. The habitat is characterized by flat coral banks with corals, sponges, algae and invertebrates. This is where the species finds protection. The subsoil can be represented by sandy and muddy sediments.
Way of life
Aipysurus duboisii performs a crepuscular lifestyle and feeds on small moray eels and various fish that live on the seabed. Reproduction takes place through viviparity , i.e. viviparous. The species only defends itself against humans when provoked by poisonous bites.
Snake venom
Dubois' sea snake can release 0.43 mg (dry weight) of poisonous secretions with one poisonous bite . Postsynaptically active neurotoxins and myotoxins are present as pharmacologically active substances . In addition to non-specific general symptoms (e.g. headache, dizziness, nausea), paralysis ( paralysis ) and muscle damage ( myolysis ) are the main symptoms. These can develop over several hours and lead to death due to peripheral respiratory paralysis . Secondary nephrotoxic (kidney-damaging) and cardiotoxic (heart-damaging) effects can occur. A venom bite is treated by applying a suitable antivenin (e.g. 'Sea snake antivenom' from the manufacturer CSL Limited ) as well as symptomatically .
Aipysurus duboisii is one of the world's most poisonous snake species. In animal experiments (mouse, subcutaneous), a mean lethal dose (LD 50 ) of 0.044 mg / kg was determined. Comparable values are known from inland taipan ( Oxyuranus microlepidotus , LD 50 0.044 mg / kg) and Eastern brown snake ( Pseudonaja textilis , LD 50 0.053 mg / kg). Lethal doses, which are determined in animal experiments, vary depending on the respective test animal species; the data can only be transferred to a limited extent.
See also
Individual evidence
- ^ A b c d Swan, The Australian Museum: A Photographic Guide to Snakes & other Reptiles of Australia , New Holland Publishers, 1996.
- ↑ University of Adelaide, Clinical Toxinology Resources: Aipysurus duboisii (accessed May 30, 2019)
literature
- Heatwole, Harold (1999). Sea snakes . Australian Natural History Series. Sydney: University of New South Wales Press. 148 pages. ISBN 0-86840-776-3 .