Rediscovery of the yellow-bellied sea snake (Hydrophis platurus) in South Korea (Squamata: Elapidae)

Abstract

We report the rediscovery of the yellow-bellied sea snake (Hydrophis platurus) in South Korea based on four specimens collected in Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, between June 2017 and November 2018. Detailed morphological characteristics and the phylogenetic positions of the specimens, based on a comparison of partial mitochondrial Cytb gene sequences among congeneric species, are provided and used for species identification.

Keywords

• Description
• Hydrophiinae
• Morphology
• Phylogeny
• True sea snake