AUSTRALIAN BIODIVERSITY RECORD - Calodema

Australian Biodiversity Record, 2007 (8): 1-124Toxicity: This species would probably attempt to bite if annoyed, so caution should beexerted, because its venom is likely highly toxic to humans. Urgent medical attention shouldalways be sought in the event of a bite from this species.Survival Status: Protected under the Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act (1998) andthe WA Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (as amended). Listed as a Marine Protected Speciesunder the Australian Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999).Probably not under threat, but its restricted distribution in Australian waters could potentiallymake it vulnerable in some parts of its range.Etymology: The name 'tenuis' means 'slender', and refers to the body-form of the species.Genus Pelagophis Peters and Doria, 1878Pelagophis Peters, W. and Doria, G. (1878): Ann. Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. Genova 13: 323-450[p. 413 pl. 5]. Type species: Pelagophis lubricus Peters and Doria, 1878 by monotypy.Diagnosis: A genus of marine snakes of the Family Aipysuridae readily separated from allother genera by the following combination of characters: Head shields mostly fragmented intosmaller scales (except rostral and nasals), with each fragment about the same size as napescales; nasals in contact; supralabials 8-9; posterior chin shields small and separated bysmaller scales; valvular nostrils and lingual fossa; body scales mostly smooth (but some bodyscales may be slightly keeled or with a centrally-aligned row of tubercles) and imbricate in 19rows at mid-body; ventral scales about three times as wide as the rest of the body scales;ventrals 150-180, only weakly notched, and with a shallow median keel; anal divided;subcaudals entire; tail strongly compressed vertically, paddle-like; venom apparatusadvanced and highly toxic; ovoviviparous. Etymology: The name Pelagophis is from theGreek, pelag - ‘sea’, and ophis - ‘snake’. Content: Pelagophis duboisii (Bavay, 1869).Pelagophis duboisii (Bavay, 1869)Aipysurus duboisii Bavay, A. (1869) : Mém. Soc. Linn. Normandie 15: 1-37 [p. 33]. Type data:holotype Marine Museum Brest [see Smith, M.A. (1926). Monograph on the Sea Snakes.(Hydrophiidae). London : British Museum xvii 130 pp.]. Type locality: Lifu (as Lifou), LoyaltyIls, New Caledonia.Aipysurus australis Sauvage, H.E. (1877): Bull. Soc. Philomath. Paris (7)1: 107-115 [p. 114].Type data: holotype MNHP (not found). Type locality: Australia.Pelagophis lubricus Peters, W. and Doria, G. (1878): Ann. Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. Genova 13:323-450 [p. 414, pl. 5] [erroneously referred to Aipysurus laevis by Capocaccia, L. (1961):Ann. Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. 'Giacomo Doria' 72: 86-111]. Type data: holotype MCG C.E.30765.Type locality: Yule Is., Papua New Guinea.Description: This is medium-sized species of sea snake, in which the body-form is moderatelyelongate, the head short with a rounded snout, and the head distinct from the neck. Overallthe base body colour is usually pale brown or brownish-white, with the head darker brown.Pattern may be present or absent, and when present is somewhat variable. In somespecimens the base colour appears pale creamish-white or even salmon pink, with bodyscales having a brownish spot and so forming a series of obscure darker bands over thebody. In most individuals however, each body scale is creamish-white on its concealedanterior part, the pale colour being just visible and so forming a vague light reticulum over abrownish or purplish body. Some of the scales along the lower lateral of the body arecreamish-white, and these may be clustered together in triangular or wedge-shapes, forminga point at the upper lateral. The overall effect of this pattern is that of broad dark transversebanding with paler interspaces, such that there is the appearance of a series of narrow orbroad, purple or brownish transverse bands, which tend to coalesce dorsally, and be moreprominent laterally where they narrow to a point; the creamish triangular lower lateral patternforms the paler interspaces. Ventrally creamish or brownish under the body, but white underthe throat, with each scale brownish-tipped. Some significant features of this species'11