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Life history traits of the sea snake Emydocephalus annulatus, based on a 17-yr study

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Abstract

Although sea snakes are important predators in coral reef ecosystems and have undergone substantial population declines in some areas, we have little robust information on life histories of these animals. Based on a 17-yr mark–recapture study of turtle-headed sea snakes (Emydocephalus annulatus) in New Caledonia (> 1200 individuals marked), we can confidently allocate ages to 539 individuals (1–11 yr of age). Using data for those snakes, we describe patterns of growth and reproduction. Using the entire data set, we also estimate annual rates of survival. One to three large offspring (300 mm snout–vent length [SVL]) are born after a prolonged (8-month) gestation. The young snakes grow rapidly until they are about 2 yr old (500 mm SVL), after which growth slows, especially in males. Most females begin reproducing at 3 yr of age, and they produce a litter (typically of two offspring) in about 2 out of every 3 or 4 yr thereafter. Annual survival rates are around 70%, but some individuals live for more than a decade. Overall, the life history of this species involves rapid growth and early maturation, followed by low but sustained reproductive output. Despite their relatively recent evolutionary origin, hydrophiine sea snakes are remarkably diverse in life histories as well as in morphologies and diets. Hence, even closely related taxa may differ substantially in their vulnerability to threatening processes.

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Acknowledgements

Our studies were funded by the Australian Research Council (Grant FL120100074 to RS). We thank the many volunteers who have helped us to catch snakes over the years, notably Terri, Mac and Ben Shine, Heather Zimmerman, Marielle Dunaj, Francois Brischoux, Troy and Teresa Baird, David Pike, Betsy Roznick, Reid Tingley, Cassey Flanagan, Vinay Udyawer, Tyffen Read, Rafael Valente-Teixeira, Marine Marziac, Fabien Sraui and Grégoire Maniel. We also thank Pierre Laboute, Richard Farman and all the staff of Aquarium des Lagons, and the Fantastic Grandmothers Citizen Science group for assistance and support over the course of our research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia

    Richard Shine, Terri G. Shine & Gregory P. Brown

  2. School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

    Richard Shine

  3. LabEx Corail and ISEA, Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, BP R4, 98851, Nouméa Cedex, New Caledonia

    Claire Goiran

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  1. Richard Shine
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  2. Terri G. Shine
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  3. Gregory P. Brown
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  4. Claire Goiran
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Correspondence to Richard Shine.

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All authors declare no competing interests.

Ethical approval

All procedures with live animals conformed to international guidelines for animal welfare and were approved by the University of Sydney Animal Care and Ethics Committee (approval # L04/6-2005/3/4111). Our research was also approved by the relevant wildlife management authority in the Southern Province of New Caledonia (permit 34756-2019-3REP/DENV).

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Shine, R., Shine, T.G., Brown, G.P. et al. Life history traits of the sea snake Emydocephalus annulatus, based on a 17-yr study. Coral Reefs 39, 1407–1414 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-020-01974-y

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