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Gulf of Mannar abounds in sea snake varieties

Staff Reporter

11 species have been spotted in the region, says expert

NEW FIND: Sea snakes in the Gulf of Mannar. — Photo: Aaron Savio Lobo

RAMANATHAPURAM: T he Gulf of Mannar extending from Rameswaram to Kanyakumari, is a paradise for marine biologists, as it harbours nearly 4,000 species of sea organisms.

An intensive field study carried out by Aaron Savio Lobo, a Goa-based young scientist and the first person to study sea snakes in the Gulf of Mannar in the recent past, has proved that the Gulf of Mannar has one of the richest diversities of sea snakes in Indian waters. Seventy species belonging to five sub-families, which have adapted to the sea life, are known as sea snakes. There are 25 species belonging to the families such as Hydrophiinae, Laticaudinae, Acrochordidae and Homalopsinae recorded in the Indian waters.

Challenging

After nearly wo-years of hard work in a challenging environment, Mr. Lobo has recorded 11 species of sea snakes in the Gulf of Mannar. He said true sea snakes, annulated sea snakes, ornate sea snakes, Viperine sea snakes, Persian Gulf sea snakes, wart snakes were among the new species recorded in Gulf of Mannar area.

"Though the density of the sea snakes in the Gulf is not great when compared to the Arabian Sea in Goa, it certainly has good potential to be called as one of the richest diversities of sea snakes," says Mr. Lobo.

Most of the sea snakes, he said, were true sea snake species, which were venomous in nature and highly dangerous. While true sea snakes were found in the deep sea of Gulf of Mannar, mud snakes and wart snakes, which were not dangerous, were encountered at estuaries, mangrove habitats and shallow waters.

Longest sea snake

The yellow sea snake was the longest sea snake, he recorded in Gulf of Mannar. The length of the snake was 2 metres, as against the normal length of 2.75 metres.

The study revealed that a few fatalities have occurred in the past due to sea snake bites.

"Fishermen, who encounter these creatures, are vulnerable in the absence of antivenom to treat sea snake bites," Mr. Lobo said.

Biologists enthused

The findings of the study have also not failed to enthuse the officials and biologists, who undertake marine conservation programmes in Gulf of Mannar.

"The presence of a large number of sea snakes is a good indicator of the rich biodiversity of the region. Biologists will be encouraged to undertake more studies on sea snakes. Concerted efforts will be made to study the ecology of sea snakes in Gulf of Mannar," said V. Naganathan, Eco Development Officer, Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, Ramanathapuram.

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