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The shallow, brackish waters of the western Baltic Sea play a significant role in the life cycle of several commercial fishes, both as nursery and foraging areas. The fish assemblages of the inner 100 m is, however, surprisingly poorly studied, due to lack of effective methods for monitoring all fish species. In the present study, we applied Snorkel Visual Census (SVC) as a tool in monitoring shallow water (< 5 m) fish assemblages at two brackish shallow water localities in the Sound, Denmark. The survey was conducted through 15 consecutive months (June 2013-August 2014), during which a total of 36 species were registered. Assemblages were numerically dominated by Gobiusculus flavescens (Fabricius, 1779) (50%) and Gasterosteus aculeatus Linnaeus, 1758 (45%). Analysis of temporal, spatial and environmental factors revealed that temperature was the single most powerful factor affecting species richness, and had a significant effect on fish abundance, which in addition showed significant seasonal variations. Species richness showed a quadratic correlation to temperature with an optimum of similar to 14 degrees C. Abundances of individual species were affected by temperature and salinity, and showed both seasonal, spatial and diel variations. The negative effect of high temperatures on species richness was not seen at night, indicating that marine species utilize these areas as nocturnal feeding grounds or to avoid larger predators. Our findings show that SVC is effective in monitoring diversity of shallow, temperate water fish communities providing both qualitative and quantitative information on seasonal variations in species abundance and assemblage structure.

Pelamis Daudin Pelamis platura (Linnaeus): (Smith, 1926; Bourret, 1934, 1936; Shuntov, 1962; Pickwell, 1972; Harding & Welch, 1980; Kharin, 1984 b; Golay et al., 1993; Tran & Nguy��n, 1995; Nguy��n & H��, 1996; Dotsenko, 1999; Nguy��n et al., 2005; Kharin, 2006; Nguy��n et al., 2009). Diagnostic characters: Scale rows around body 49���67; ventrals 264���406 or broken up and similar to adjacent scales. Maxillary teeth behind fangs 7���11. Colouration: Unique among sea snakes but great variation body black above, yellow below. These colours meet distinctly laterally, but the exact level varies. Posteriorly (mostly on tail) the black and yellow colours are broken up to form spots or even irregular hour-glass-shaped transverse bands. Size: 88 cm. General distribution: The Indian Ocean and the Pacific (Ineich, 1988; David & Ineich, 1999; Kharin, 2007). Remarks: Pelamis platura is the most widely distributed species of all snakes and it is pelagic (Hecht et al., 1974)., Published as part of Rasmussen, Arne Redsted, Elmberg, Johan, Gravlund, Peter & Ineich, Ivan, 2011, Sea snakes (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae) in Vietnam: a comprehensive checklist and an updated identification key, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 2894 on page 9, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.277666, {"references":["Smith, M. A. (1926) Monograph of the sea-snakes (Hydrophiidae). Printed by order of the Trustees of the British museum (Natural History) London, Pages i-xvii + 1 - 130 + 2 plates.","Bourret, R. (1934) Les serpents marine de l'Indochine Francaise. Institut Oceanographique de l'Indochine, Hanoi, Note 25, 1 - 69.","Bourret, R. (1936) Les serpents de l'Indochine. Catalogue systematique descriptif, ll, 338 - 381.","Shuntov, V. P. (1962) Sea snakes (Hydrophiidae) of the Gulf of Tonkin (Northern Viet-Nam). Zoologicheskii Zhurnal, 41, 1203 - 1209.","Pickwell, G. V. (1972) Sea snakes of Viet Nam and Southeast Asia. Handbook of dangerous animals for field personnel. Undersea surveillance and ocean sciences department, Naval undersea center, San Diego, 5 - 25 pp.","Harding, K. A. & Welch, K. R. G. (1980) Venomous snakes of the world. A checklist. Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1 - 188 pp.","Kharin, V. E. (1984 b) Three species of sea snakes first discovered in Vietnamese waters with a comment on a rare form Praescutata viperina. Biologiya Morya. Vladivostok, 2, 26 - 30.","Golay, P., Smith, H. M., Broadley, D. G., Dixon, J. R., McCarthy, C., Rage, J. C., Schatti, B. & Toriba, M. (1993) Endoglyphs and other major venomous snakes of the world. A checklist. Herpetological Data Centre, Azemiops, Switzerland, pp.","Tran, K. & Nguyen, Q. T. (1995) Cac loai ran doc Viet Nam Science & Technology Publ. House, Hanoi, 1 - 204 pp.","Nguyen, V. S. & Ho, T. C. (1996) Danh luc bo sat va ech Nhai Viet Nam Science & Technology Publ. House, Hanoi, - Pp. 1 - 264","Dotsenko, I. B. (1999) Snakes from Vietnam at the National Museum of Natural History of Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences stock collection. Communication 1. The sea snakes - Hydrophiidae. Vestnik zoologii, 33, 39 - 51.","Nguyen, V. S., Ho, T. C. & Nguyen, Q. T. (2005) A checklist of Amphibians and Reptiles of Vietnam. Nha Xuat Ban Nong Nghiep, Hanoi, 1 - 180 pp.","Kharin, V. E. (2006) An annotated checklist of sea snakes of Vietnam, with notes on a new record of the yellow-lipped sea krait, Laticauda colubrina (Schneider, 1799) (Laticaudidae, Hydrophiidae). Russian Journal of Marine Biology, 32, 223 - 228.","Nguyen, V. S., Ho, T. C. & Nguyen, Q. T. (2009) Herpetofauna of Vietnam. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main, 768 pp.","Ineich, I. (1988) Le serpent marin Pelamis platurus (Elapidae, Hydrophiinae): bilan des connaissances sur sa biologie et sa distribution; situation en Polynesie orientale. L'Annee Biologique, 4 eme serie, 27, 93 - 117.","David, P. & Ineich, I. (1999) Les Serpents venimeux du monde: systematique et repartition. Dumerilia (Paris), 3, 3 - 499.","Kharin, V. E. (2007) On the second record of yellow-bellied sea snake Pelamis platurus (Linnaeus, 1766) from Russia. Russian Journal of Herpetology, 14 (1), 45 - 49.","Hecht, M. K., Kropach, C. & Hecht, B. M. (1974) Distribution of the Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake, Pelamis platurus, and Its Significance in Relation to the Fossil Record. Herpetologica, 30, 387 - 396."]}

Acalyptophis Boulenger Acalyptophis peronii (Dum��ril): (Kharin, 1984 b; Zhao & Adler, 1993, 2006). Diagnostic characters: The only sea snake with spines on the head: parietal and frontal scales broken up, supra- and postoculars and adjacent scales with spines posteriorly. Scale rows around neck 18���24, rarely up to 27; scale rows around body 23���31, rarely 21 or 32; ventrals 142���222. Maxillary teeth behind fangs 5���8. Colouration: Body cream, grey or pale brown above, paler below, with brown/black bands, which are brighter ventrally. Sometimes has dark small bars or spots between the bands, tapering to a point on the sides. Size: 128 cm. General distribution: Gulf of Thailand, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Australian region (Smith, 1926; David & Ineich, 1999)., Published as part of Rasmussen, Arne Redsted, Elmberg, Johan, Gravlund, Peter & Ineich, Ivan, 2011, Sea snakes (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae) in Vietnam: a comprehensive checklist and an updated identification key, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 2894 on page 3, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.277666, {"references":["Kharin, V. E. (1984 b) Three species of sea snakes first discovered in Vietnamese waters with a comment on a rare form Praescutata viperina. Biologiya Morya. Vladivostok, 2, 26 - 30.","Zhao, E. & Adler, K. (1993) Herpetology of China. Society for the study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Oxford, Ohio, pp.","Smith, M. A. (1926) Monograph of the sea-snakes (Hydrophiidae). Printed by order of the Trustees of the British museum (Natural History) London, Pages i-xvii + 1 - 130 + 2 plates.","David, P. & Ineich, I. (1999) Les Serpents venimeux du monde: systematique et repartition. Dumerilia (Paris), 3, 3 - 499."]}

Thalassophis Schmidt Thalassophis anomalus Schmidt : (Kharin, 1984 b, 2006). Diagnostic characters: A pair of elongated shields separate the nasals, rostral divided into four or five scales. Head shields with thickened edges. Scale rows around neck 27���30; scale rows around body 31���35; ventrals 210��� 256. Maxillary teeth behind fangs 5. Colouration: Greyish above. Whitish below with dark bands, which taper to a point laterally or continue as narrow bands ventrally to encircle the body. Size: 81 cm. General distribution: Singapore, Gulf of Thailand, Vietnam, East Sumatra, Borneo and Moluccas (David & Ineich, 1999)., Published as part of Rasmussen, Arne Redsted, Elmberg, Johan, Gravlund, Peter & Ineich, Ivan, 2011, Sea snakes (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae) in Vietnam: a comprehensive checklist and an updated identification key, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 2894 on page 10, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.277666, {"references":["Kharin, V. E. (1984 b) Three species of sea snakes first discovered in Vietnamese waters with a comment on a rare form Praescutata viperina. Biologiya Morya. Vladivostok, 2, 26 - 30.","Kharin, V. E. (2006) An annotated checklist of sea snakes of Vietnam, with notes on a new record of the yellow-lipped sea krait, Laticauda colubrina (Schneider, 1799) (Laticaudidae, Hydrophiidae). Russian Journal of Marine Biology, 32, 223 - 228.","David, P. & Ineich, I. (1999) Les Serpents venimeux du monde: systematique et repartition. Dumerilia (Paris), 3, 3 - 499."]}

Emydocephalus Krefft Emydocephalus annulatus Krefft: (Dotsenko, 1999; Rasmussen & Ineich, 2010). Diagnostic characters: Three supralabials, the second very long. Large ventrals, each three or more times as broad as the adjacent body scales. Scale rows around neck 15; scale rows around body 17, rarely 15; ventrals 125��� 146. Only rudimentary maxillary teeth behind fangs. Colouration: Highly variable, body ranging from uniform black or brown to yellow, with or without bands. Size: 103 cm. General distribution: Vietnam, Philippines and the Australian region (David & Ineich, 1999; Dotsenko, 1999; Alcala et al., 2000; Rasmussen & Ineich, 2010). Remarks: Feeds only on fish eggs (McCarthy, 1987)., Published as part of Rasmussen, Arne Redsted, Elmberg, Johan, Gravlund, Peter & Ineich, Ivan, 2011, Sea snakes (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae) in Vietnam: a comprehensive checklist and an updated identification key, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 2894 on page 4, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.277666, {"references":["Dotsenko, I. B. (1999) Snakes from Vietnam at the National Museum of Natural History of Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences stock collection. Communication 1. The sea snakes - Hydrophiidae. Vestnik zoologii, 33, 39 - 51.","Rasmussen, A. R. & Ineich, I. (2010) Species diversity in the genus Emydocephalus Krefft, 1869 (Serpentes, Elapidae, Hydrophiinae): Insight from morphology and anatomy Herpetological Review, 41, 285 - 290.","David, P. & Ineich, I. (1999) Les Serpents venimeux du monde: systematique et repartition. Dumerilia (Paris), 3, 3 - 499.","Alcala, A. C., Maypa, J. P. & Russ, G. R. (2000) Distribution of the Turtle-headed sea snakes Emydocephalus n. sp. on coral reefs of the central Philippines. UPV Journal for Natural Sciences, 5, 27 - 32.","McCarthy, C. J. (1987) Adaptations of sea snakes that eat fish eggs; with a note on the throat musculature of Aipysurus eydouxii (Gray, 1849). Journal of Natural History, 21, 1119 - 1128."]}

Aipysurus Lacep��de Aipysurus eydouxii (Gray): (Bourret, 1934, 1936; Minton, 1975; Tran & Nguy��n, 1980; Kharin, 1984 b; Welch, 1988; Nguy��n & H��, 1996; Dotsenko, 1999; Nguy��n et al., 2005; Kharin, 2006; Nguy��n et al., 2009). Diagnostic characters: Maxillary bone extending forward beyond palatine. Large ventrals, each being at least three times as broad as the adjacent body scales. Scale rows around neck 15���17; scale rows around body 17; 124��� 155 ventrals, slightly notched on posterior border. Maxillary teeth behind fangs 7���12 and very small. Colouration: Body brownish or olive green above, paler below, with yellow or pale brown irregular bands, which may expand laterally and break up ventrally. Scales within bands usually with dark margins. Size: 110 cm. General distribution: West Malaysia, Gulf of Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Australian region (David & Ineich, 1999). Remarks: The only species in the genus Aipysurus found outside the Australian region., Published as part of Rasmussen, Arne Redsted, Elmberg, Johan, Gravlund, Peter & Ineich, Ivan, 2011, Sea snakes (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae) in Vietnam: a comprehensive checklist and an updated identification key, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 2894 on page 4, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.277666, {"references":["Bourret, R. (1934) Les serpents marine de l'Indochine Francaise. Institut Oceanographique de l'Indochine, Hanoi, Note 25, 1 - 69.","Bourret, R. (1936) Les serpents de l'Indochine. Catalogue systematique descriptif, ll, 338 - 381.","Minton, S. A. (1975) Geographic distribution of sea snakes. In: Dunson, W. A. (Ed.) The Biology of Sea Snakes. London & tokyo Baltimore, pp. 21 - 31.","Tran, K. & Nguyen, Q. T. (1980) Cac loai ran doc Viet Nam. Science & Technology Publ. House, Hanoi, pp.","Kharin, V. E. (1984 b) Three species of sea snakes first discovered in Vietnamese waters with a comment on a rare form Praescutata viperina. Biologiya Morya. Vladivostok, 2, 26 - 30.","Welch, K. R. G. (1988) Snakes of the Orient: a checklist. Robert E. Krieger Publ. Co., Malabar, Pages i-vii + 1 - 183.","Nguyen, V. S. & Ho, T. C. (1996) Danh luc bo sat va ech Nhai Viet Nam Science & Technology Publ. House, Hanoi, - Pp. 1 - 264","Dotsenko, I. B. (1999) Snakes from Vietnam at the National Museum of Natural History of Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences stock collection. Communication 1. The sea snakes - Hydrophiidae. Vestnik zoologii, 33, 39 - 51.","Nguyen, V. S., Ho, T. C. & Nguyen, Q. T. (2005) A checklist of Amphibians and Reptiles of Vietnam. Nha Xuat Ban Nong Nghiep, Hanoi, 1 - 180 pp.","Kharin, V. E. (2006) An annotated checklist of sea snakes of Vietnam, with notes on a new record of the yellow-lipped sea krait, Laticauda colubrina (Schneider, 1799) (Laticaudidae, Hydrophiidae). Russian Journal of Marine Biology, 32, 223 - 228.","Nguyen, V. S., Ho, T. C. & Nguyen, Q. T. (2009) Herpetofauna of Vietnam. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main, 768 pp.","David, P. & Ineich, I. (1999) Les Serpents venimeux du monde: systematique et repartition. Dumerilia (Paris), 3, 3 - 499."]}

Astrotia Fischer Astrotia stokesii (Gray): (Kharin, 1984 b; Zhao & Adler, 1993, 2006; Nguy��n et al., 2009). Diagnostic characters: Ventrals divided into pairs of foliform scales, except on throat. Body stout, covered with strongly imbricate scales. Scale rows around neck 37���47; scale rows around body 46���63; ventrals 226���286. Maxillary teeth behind fangs 6���7. Colouration: Highly variable; body ranging from brown to more creamy-white above, pale brown or whitish below. Sometimes has 24���36 dark or black bands above, each tapering to a point laterally. Some specimens have spots in between the bands, laterally as well as ventrally. Size: 179 cm. General distribution: Indo-Malayan Archipelago, South China Sea, Philippines, Indonesia and tropical waters of Australia (David & Ineich, 1999). Remarks: The most massive sea snake, along with Aipysurus laevis from the Australian region., Published as part of Rasmussen, Arne Redsted, Elmberg, Johan, Gravlund, Peter & Ineich, Ivan, 2011, Sea snakes (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae) in Vietnam: a comprehensive checklist and an updated identification key, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 2894 on page 4, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.277666, {"references":["Kharin, V. E. (1984 b) Three species of sea snakes first discovered in Vietnamese waters with a comment on a rare form Praescutata viperina. Biologiya Morya. Vladivostok, 2, 26 - 30.","Zhao, E. & Adler, K. (1993) Herpetology of China. Society for the study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Oxford, Ohio, pp.","Nguyen, V. S., Ho, T. C. & Nguyen, Q. T. (2009) Herpetofauna of Vietnam. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main, 768 pp.","David, P. & Ineich, I. (1999) Les Serpents venimeux du monde: systematique et repartition. Dumerilia (Paris), 3, 3 - 499."]}

Laticauda Laurenti Laticauda colubrina (Schneider): (McCarthy, 1986; Heatwole et al., 2005; Kharin, 2006). Diagnostic characters: Head shields large, nasals separated by internasals, upper lips yellow. Scale rows around neck 21���23; scale rows around body 21���25; ventrals 213���245. Colouration: Body bluish-grey above, yellow or whitish below, with black bands of more or less uniform width throughout. Head black except snout, upper lips and a stripe extending back above the eye to the temporal region, which are all yellow. Size: 142 cm. General distribution: Indo-Malayan Archipelago, South China Sea, Philippines, Indonesia, Australian region east to Fiji and Vanuatu (David & Ineich, 1999; Heatwole et al., 2005; Cogger & Heatwole, 2006). Laticauda laticaudata (Linnaeus): not yet found in Vietnamese waters. Diagnostic characters Head shields large, nasals separated by internasals, upper lips dark. Scale rows around neck 19; scale rows around body 19; ventrals 225���243. Colouration: Body bluish-grey above, yellow or whitish below, with black bands. Head with a pale horseshoe-shaped mark above, which may or may not curve down behind eye. Size: 110 cm. General distribution: Andaman Sea, Indo-Malayan Archipelago, Gulf of Thailand, South China Sea, Philippines, Indonesia and Australian region (Smith, 1926; McCarthy, 1986; Zhao & Adler, 1993; David & Ineich, 1999; Heatwole et al., 2005). Laticauda semifasciata (Reinwardt in Schlegel): not yet found in Vietnamese waters (Kharin, 2009). Diagnostic characters Head shields large, nasals separated by internasals, upper lips dark. Scale rows around neck 21���23; scale rows around body 21���23; ventrals 195���210. Colouration: Body bluish-grey green above, yellowish below, with black bands. Head dark brown with a yellow curved mark above, connecting posteriorly with yellow band at back of head. With age, become brownish and markings less apparent (Smith, 1926). Size: 135 cm. General distribution: Philippines, China, Taiwan, Japan and Russia (Smith, 1926; Zhao & Adler, 1993; David & Ineich, 1999; Kharin, 2009)., Published as part of Rasmussen, Arne Redsted, Elmberg, Johan, Gravlund, Peter & Ineich, Ivan, 2011, Sea snakes (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae) in Vietnam: a comprehensive checklist and an updated identification key, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 2894 on page 9, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.277666, {"references":["McCarthy, C. J. (1986) Relationships of the laticaudine sea snakes (Serpentes: Elapidae: Laticaudinae). Bulletin of the British Museum of Natural History (Zoology), 50, 127 - 161.","Heatwole, H., Busack, S. & Cogger, H. G. (2005) Geographic variation in sea kraits of the Laticauda colubrina complex (Serpentes: Elapidae: Hydrophiinae: Laticaudini). Herpetological Monographs, 19, 1 - 136.","Kharin, V. E. (2006) An annotated checklist of sea snakes of Vietnam, with notes on a new record of the yellow-lipped sea krait, Laticauda colubrina (Schneider, 1799) (Laticaudidae, Hydrophiidae). Russian Journal of Marine Biology, 32, 223 - 228.","David, P. & Ineich, I. (1999) Les Serpents venimeux du monde: systematique et repartition. Dumerilia (Paris), 3, 3 - 499.","Cogger, H. G. & Heatwole, H. (2006) Laticauda frontalis (de Vis, 1905) and Laticauda saintgironsi n. sp. from Vanuatu and New Caledonia (Serpentes: Elapidae: Laticaudinae) - A new lineage of sea kraits? Records of the Australian Museum, 58, 245 - 256.","Smith, M. A. (1926) Monograph of the sea-snakes (Hydrophiidae). Printed by order of the Trustees of the British museum (Natural History) London, Pages i-xvii + 1 - 130 + 2 plates.","Zhao, E. & Adler, K. (1993) Herpetology of China. Society for the study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Oxford, Ohio, pp.","Kharin, V. E. (2009) Redescription of a Russian finding of the Erabu Sea Krait Pseudolaticauda semifasciata (Reinwardt in Schlegel, 1837), with remarks about species composition of sea snakes (Serpentes: Laticaudidae, Hydrophiidae) in Russian and adjacent waters. Russian Journal of Marine Biology, 35, 8 - 14."]}

Lapemis Gray Lapemis curtus (Shaw): (Smith, 1926; Bourret, 1934, 1936; Shuntov, 1962; Pickwell, 1972; Tu, 1974; Harding & Welch, 1980; Tran & Nguy��n, 1980; Kharin, 1984 b; Golay et al., 1993; Tran & Nguy��n, 1995; Nguy��n & H��, 1996; Dotsenko, 1999; Nguy��n et al., 2005; Kharin, 2006; Rasmussen et al., 2007; Nguy��n et al., 2009). Diagnostic characters: Scales in the lowermost three or four lateral rows are larger than the others. Scale rows around neck 23���35; scale rows around body 25���43. Ventrals small, 114���230, usually distinct anteriorly, very small or absent posteriorly. Maxillary teeth behind fangs 3���6. Colouration: Body greenish or yellowish above, whitish below, with dark greenish to black bands, which sometimes fuse longitudinally dorsally, narrowing laterally. However, in some specimens bands meet below, encircling the body. Size: 110 cm. General distribution: From Arabian Gulf to Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, and Australian region (David & Ineich, 1999; Rasmussen & Ineich, 2000). Remarks: One of the most frequently caught sea snakes by trawling boats in Asia. Lapemis hardwickii is a synonym of L. curtus (Gritis & Voris, 1990), Published as part of Rasmussen, Arne Redsted, Elmberg, Johan, Gravlund, Peter & Ineich, Ivan, 2011, Sea snakes (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae) in Vietnam: a comprehensive checklist and an updated identification key, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 2894 on page 8, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.277666, {"references":["Smith, M. A. (1926) Monograph of the sea-snakes (Hydrophiidae). Printed by order of the Trustees of the British museum (Natural History) London, Pages i-xvii + 1 - 130 + 2 plates.","Bourret, R. (1934) Les serpents marine de l'Indochine Francaise. Institut Oceanographique de l'Indochine, Hanoi, Note 25, 1 - 69.","Bourret, R. (1936) Les serpents de l'Indochine. Catalogue systematique descriptif, ll, 338 - 381.","Shuntov, V. P. (1962) Sea snakes (Hydrophiidae) of the Gulf of Tonkin (Northern Viet-Nam). Zoologicheskii Zhurnal, 41, 1203 - 1209.","Pickwell, G. V. (1972) Sea snakes of Viet Nam and Southeast Asia. Handbook of dangerous animals for field personnel. Undersea surveillance and ocean sciences department, Naval undersea center, San Diego, 5 - 25 pp.","Tu, A. T. (1974) Sea snake investigation in the Gulf of Thailand. Journal of Herpetology, 8, 201 - 210.","Harding, K. A. & Welch, K. R. G. (1980) Venomous snakes of the world. A checklist. Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1 - 188 pp.","Tran, K. & Nguyen, Q. T. (1980) Cac loai ran doc Viet Nam. Science & Technology Publ. House, Hanoi, pp.","Kharin, V. E. (1984 b) Three species of sea snakes first discovered in Vietnamese waters with a comment on a rare form Praescutata viperina. Biologiya Morya. Vladivostok, 2, 26 - 30.","Golay, P., Smith, H. M., Broadley, D. G., Dixon, J. R., McCarthy, C., Rage, J. C., Schatti, B. & Toriba, M. (1993) Endoglyphs and other major venomous snakes of the world. A checklist. Herpetological Data Centre, Azemiops, Switzerland, pp.","Tran, K. & Nguyen, Q. T. (1995) Cac loai ran doc Viet Nam Science & Technology Publ. House, Hanoi, 1 - 204 pp.","Nguyen, V. S. & Ho, T. C. (1996) Danh luc bo sat va ech Nhai Viet Nam Science & Technology Publ. House, Hanoi, - Pp. 1 - 264","Dotsenko, I. B. (1999) Snakes from Vietnam at the National Museum of Natural History of Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences stock collection. Communication 1. The sea snakes - Hydrophiidae. Vestnik zoologii, 33, 39 - 51.","Nguyen, V. S., Ho, T. C. & Nguyen, Q. T. (2005) A checklist of Amphibians and Reptiles of Vietnam. Nha Xuat Ban Nong Nghiep, Hanoi, 1 - 180 pp.","Kharin, V. E. (2006) An annotated checklist of sea snakes of Vietnam, with notes on a new record of the yellow-lipped sea krait, Laticauda colubrina (Schneider, 1799) (Laticaudidae, Hydrophiidae). Russian Journal of Marine Biology, 32, 223 - 228.","Rasmussen, A. R., Gravlund, P., van Nguyen, C. & Chanhome, L. (2007) A resurrection of Hydrophis pachycercos Fischer 1855 (Serpentes: Elapidae) with a new neotype from Vietnamese waters. Hamadryad, 31, 288 - 298.","Nguyen, V. S., Ho, T. C. & Nguyen, Q. T. (2009) Herpetofauna of Vietnam. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main, 768 pp.","David, P. & Ineich, I. (1999) Les Serpents venimeux du monde: systematique et repartition. Dumerilia (Paris), 3, 3 - 499.","Rasmussen, A. R. & Ineich, I. (2000) Sea snakes of New Caledonia and surrounding waters (Serpentes: Elapidae): first report on the occurrence of Lapemis curtus and description of a new species from the genus Hydrophis. Hamadryad, 25, 91 - 99.","Gritis, P. A. & Voris, H. K. (1990) Variability and significance of parietal and ventral scales in the marine snakes of the genus Lapemis (Serpentes: Hydrophiidae), with comments on the occurrence of spiny scales in the genus. Fieldiana Zoology, 56, 1 - 13."]}

Kolpophis Smith Kolpophis annandalei (Laidlaw): (Smith, 1926; Bourret, 1934, 1936; Minton, 1975; Harding & Welch, 1980; Tran & Nguy��n, 1980; Kharin, 1984 b; Welch, 1988; Das, 1993; Golay et al., 1993; Tran & Nguy��n, 1995; Nguy��n & H��, 1996; Dotsenko, 1999; Nguy��n et al., 2005; Kharin, 2006; Rasmussen et al., 2007; Nguy��n et al., 2009). Diagnostic characters: Head shields irregularly divided. Head large, body stout, covered with small irregular scales. Has very high scale row counts around neck (62���82) and body (74���93). Ventrals 320���368. Maxillary teeth behind fangs 6���7. Colouration: Body yellowish with pale grey bands above, much broader than their interspaces, narrowing on sides. With age the colour becomes pale grey above, whitish below and the bands disappear. Size: 91 cm. General distribution: Singapore, Gulf of Thailand, South China Sea, Borneo and Java (Das, 1993; David & Ineich, 1999)., Published as part of Rasmussen, Arne Redsted, Elmberg, Johan, Gravlund, Peter & Ineich, Ivan, 2011, Sea snakes (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae) in Vietnam: a comprehensive checklist and an updated identification key, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 2894 on page 8, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.277666, {"references":["Smith, M. A. (1926) Monograph of the sea-snakes (Hydrophiidae). Printed by order of the Trustees of the British museum (Natural History) London, Pages i-xvii + 1 - 130 + 2 plates.","Bourret, R. (1934) Les serpents marine de l'Indochine Francaise. Institut Oceanographique de l'Indochine, Hanoi, Note 25, 1 - 69.","Bourret, R. (1936) Les serpents de l'Indochine. Catalogue systematique descriptif, ll, 338 - 381.","Minton, S. A. (1975) Geographic distribution of sea snakes. In: Dunson, W. A. (Ed.) The Biology of Sea Snakes. London & tokyo Baltimore, pp. 21 - 31.","Harding, K. A. & Welch, K. R. G. (1980) Venomous snakes of the world. A checklist. Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1 - 188 pp.","Tran, K. & Nguyen, Q. T. (1980) Cac loai ran doc Viet Nam. Science & Technology Publ. House, Hanoi, pp.","Kharin, V. E. (1984 b) Three species of sea snakes first discovered in Vietnamese waters with a comment on a rare form Praescutata viperina. Biologiya Morya. Vladivostok, 2, 26 - 30.","Welch, K. R. G. (1988) Snakes of the Orient: a checklist. Robert E. Krieger Publ. Co., Malabar, Pages i-vii + 1 - 183.","Das, I. (1993) Annandales seasnakes, Kolpophis annandalei (Laidlaw, 1901) - A new record for Borneo (Reptilia, Serpentes, Hydrophiidae) Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 41, 359 - 361.","Golay, P., Smith, H. M., Broadley, D. G., Dixon, J. R., McCarthy, C., Rage, J. C., Schatti, B. & Toriba, M. (1993) Endoglyphs and other major venomous snakes of the world. A checklist. Herpetological Data Centre, Azemiops, Switzerland, pp.","Tran, K. & Nguyen, Q. T. (1995) Cac loai ran doc Viet Nam Science & Technology Publ. House, Hanoi, 1 - 204 pp.","Nguyen, V. S. & Ho, T. C. (1996) Danh luc bo sat va ech Nhai Viet Nam Science & Technology Publ. House, Hanoi, - Pp. 1 - 264","Dotsenko, I. B. (1999) Snakes from Vietnam at the National Museum of Natural History of Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences stock collection. Communication 1. The sea snakes - Hydrophiidae. Vestnik zoologii, 33, 39 - 51.","Nguyen, V. S., Ho, T. C. & Nguyen, Q. T. (2005) A checklist of Amphibians and Reptiles of Vietnam. Nha Xuat Ban Nong Nghiep, Hanoi, 1 - 180 pp.","Kharin, V. E. (2006) An annotated checklist of sea snakes of Vietnam, with notes on a new record of the yellow-lipped sea krait, Laticauda colubrina (Schneider, 1799) (Laticaudidae, Hydrophiidae). Russian Journal of Marine Biology, 32, 223 - 228.","Rasmussen, A. R., Gravlund, P., van Nguyen, C. & Chanhome, L. (2007) A resurrection of Hydrophis pachycercos Fischer 1855 (Serpentes: Elapidae) with a new neotype from Vietnamese waters. Hamadryad, 31, 288 - 298.","Nguyen, V. S., Ho, T. C. & Nguyen, Q. T. (2009) Herpetofauna of Vietnam. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main, 768 pp.","David, P. & Ineich, I. (1999) Les Serpents venimeux du monde: systematique et repartition. Dumerilia (Paris), 3, 3 - 499."]}

Kerilia Gray Kerilia jerdonii Gray : (Bourret, 1934, 1936; Harding & Welch, 1980; Tran & Nguy��n, 1980; Kharin, 1984 b; Tran & Nguy��n, 1995; Nguy��n & H��, 1996; Nguy��n et al., 2005; Kharin, 2006; Nguy��n et al., 2009). Diagnostic characters: Easily recognized by the yellowish colour and the low scale row counts around neck and body. Maxillary bone extending forward beyond the palatine and fangs followed without any interspace by 7��� 9 teeth. Scale rows around neck 15���17; scale rows around body 19���23; ventrals 200���278. Colouration: Body yellow above, yellowish or white below, with black bands wider above and fading laterally. In some specimens the dark bands encircle the body. Size: 105 cm. General distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Andaman Sea, Strait of Malacca, Singapore, Gulf of Thailand, South China Sea, Taiwan and Borneo (David & Ineich, 1999). Remarks: Two subspecies are recognised (Smith, 1926): K. jerdoni jerdoni is found in India, Sri Lanka, Andaman Sea, and from Strait of Malacca to Singapore; K. j. siamensis is found from East Malaysia, Gulf of Thailand to China and Taiwan. (Smith, 1926; Rasmussen & Andersen, 1990)., Published as part of Rasmussen, Arne Redsted, Elmberg, Johan, Gravlund, Peter & Ineich, Ivan, 2011, Sea snakes (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae) in Vietnam: a comprehensive checklist and an updated identification key, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 2894 on page 8, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.277666, {"references":["Bourret, R. (1934) Les serpents marine de l'Indochine Francaise. Institut Oceanographique de l'Indochine, Hanoi, Note 25, 1 - 69.","Bourret, R. (1936) Les serpents de l'Indochine. Catalogue systematique descriptif, ll, 338 - 381.","Harding, K. A. & Welch, K. R. G. (1980) Venomous snakes of the world. A checklist. Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1 - 188 pp.","Tran, K. & Nguyen, Q. T. (1980) Cac loai ran doc Viet Nam. Science & Technology Publ. House, Hanoi, pp.","Kharin, V. E. (1984 b) Three species of sea snakes first discovered in Vietnamese waters with a comment on a rare form Praescutata viperina. Biologiya Morya. Vladivostok, 2, 26 - 30.","Tran, K. & Nguyen, Q. T. (1995) Cac loai ran doc Viet Nam Science & Technology Publ. House, Hanoi, 1 - 204 pp.","Nguyen, V. S. & Ho, T. C. (1996) Danh luc bo sat va ech Nhai Viet Nam Science & Technology Publ. House, Hanoi, - Pp. 1 - 264","Nguyen, V. S., Ho, T. C. & Nguyen, Q. T. (2005) A checklist of Amphibians and Reptiles of Vietnam. Nha Xuat Ban Nong Nghiep, Hanoi, 1 - 180 pp.","Kharin, V. E. (2006) An annotated checklist of sea snakes of Vietnam, with notes on a new record of the yellow-lipped sea krait, Laticauda colubrina (Schneider, 1799) (Laticaudidae, Hydrophiidae). Russian Journal of Marine Biology, 32, 223 - 228.","Nguyen, V. S., Ho, T. C. & Nguyen, Q. T. (2009) Herpetofauna of Vietnam. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main, 768 pp.","David, P. & Ineich, I. (1999) Les Serpents venimeux du monde: systematique et repartition. Dumerilia (Paris), 3, 3 - 499.","Smith, M. A. (1926) Monograph of the sea-snakes (Hydrophiidae). Printed by order of the Trustees of the British museum (Natural History) London, Pages i-xvii + 1 - 130 + 2 plates.","Rasmussen, A. R. & Andersen, M. (1990) The sea snake Kerilia jerdoni Gray (1849): First records from Andaman Sea, Phuket Island, Thailand, with remarks on the two subspecies. Snake, 22, 131 - 133."]}

Enhydrina Gray Enhydrina schistosa (Daudin): (Smith, 1920; Bourret, 1934, 1936; Shuntov, 1962; Pickwell, 1972; Minton, 1975; Harding & Welch, 1980; Tran & Nguy��n, 1980; Kharin, 1984 b; Gasperetti, 1988; Welch, 1988; Golay et al., 1993; Tran & Nguy��n, 1995; Nguy��n & H��, 1996; Nguy��n et al., 2005; Kharin, 2006; Nguy��n et al., 2009). Diagnostic characters: Mental narrow, elongated and hidden in a groove. Scale rows around neck 40���55; scale rows around body 49���66; ventrals small but distinct, sometimes missing in the most anterior part of body, 239���322. Maxillary teeth behind fangs 3���4. Colouration: Body grey or bluish-grey above, whitish-grey below, with dark or black bands, which usually disappear with age. Size: 140 cm. General distribution: Arabian Gulf, India, Sri Lanka, Indo-Malayan Archipelago, South China Sea, Indonesia and the Australian region (David & Ineich, 1999). Remarks: Aggressive and highly venomous., Published as part of Rasmussen, Arne Redsted, Elmberg, Johan, Gravlund, Peter & Ineich, Ivan, 2011, Sea snakes (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae) in Vietnam: a comprehensive checklist and an updated identification key, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 2894 on page 4, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.277666, {"references":["Smith, M. A. (1920) On sea snakes from the coasts of the Malay Peninsula, Siam and Cochin-China. Journal of the Federated Malay States Museums. Kuala Lumpur, 10, 1 - 63.","Bourret, R. (1934) Les serpents marine de l'Indochine Francaise. Institut Oceanographique de l'Indochine, Hanoi, Note 25, 1 - 69.","Bourret, R. (1936) Les serpents de l'Indochine. Catalogue systematique descriptif, ll, 338 - 381.","Shuntov, V. P. (1962) Sea snakes (Hydrophiidae) of the Gulf of Tonkin (Northern Viet-Nam). Zoologicheskii Zhurnal, 41, 1203 - 1209.","Pickwell, G. V. (1972) Sea snakes of Viet Nam and Southeast Asia. Handbook of dangerous animals for field personnel. Undersea surveillance and ocean sciences department, Naval undersea center, San Diego, 5 - 25 pp.","Minton, S. A. (1975) Geographic distribution of sea snakes. In: Dunson, W. A. (Ed.) The Biology of Sea Snakes. London & tokyo Baltimore, pp. 21 - 31.","Harding, K. A. & Welch, K. R. G. (1980) Venomous snakes of the world. A checklist. Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1 - 188 pp.","Tran, K. & Nguyen, Q. T. (1980) Cac loai ran doc Viet Nam. Science & Technology Publ. House, Hanoi, pp.","Kharin, V. E. (1984 b) Three species of sea snakes first discovered in Vietnamese waters with a comment on a rare form Praescutata viperina. Biologiya Morya. Vladivostok, 2, 26 - 30.","Gasperetti, J. (1988) Sea snakes. In: Buttiker, W. & Krupp, F. (Eds.) Fauna of Saudi Arabia. NCWCD Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, pp. 169 - 450.","Welch, K. R. G. (1988) Snakes of the Orient: a checklist. Robert E. Krieger Publ. Co., Malabar, Pages i-vii + 1 - 183.","Golay, P., Smith, H. M., Broadley, D. G., Dixon, J. R., McCarthy, C., Rage, J. C., Schatti, B. & Toriba, M. (1993) Endoglyphs and other major venomous snakes of the world. A checklist. Herpetological Data Centre, Azemiops, Switzerland, pp.","Tran, K. & Nguyen, Q. T. (1995) Cac loai ran doc Viet Nam Science & Technology Publ. House, Hanoi, 1 - 204 pp.","Nguyen, V. S. & Ho, T. C. (1996) Danh luc bo sat va ech Nhai Viet Nam Science & Technology Publ. House, Hanoi, - Pp. 1 - 264","Nguyen, V. S., Ho, T. C. & Nguyen, Q. T. (2005) A checklist of Amphibians and Reptiles of Vietnam. Nha Xuat Ban Nong Nghiep, Hanoi, 1 - 180 pp.","Kharin, V. E. (2006) An annotated checklist of sea snakes of Vietnam, with notes on a new record of the yellow-lipped sea krait, Laticauda colubrina (Schneider, 1799) (Laticaudidae, Hydrophiidae). Russian Journal of Marine Biology, 32, 223 - 228.","Nguyen, V. S., Ho, T. C. & Nguyen, Q. T. (2009) Herpetofauna of Vietnam. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main, 768 pp.","David, P. & Ineich, I. (1999) Les Serpents venimeux du monde: systematique et repartition. Dumerilia (Paris), 3, 3 - 499."]}

Hydrophis Latreille Remarks: The genus Hydrophis is diverse and includes 36 species (Rasmussen & Ineich, 2000; Rasmussen et al., 2001; Rasmussen et al., 2007), 13 of which have been found in Vietnamese waters. Hydrophis atriceps G��nther: (Smith, 1926; Bourret, 1934, 1936; Shuntov, 1962; Pickwell, 1972; Harding & Welch, 1980; Tran & Nguy��n, 1980; Kharin, 1984 b; Tran & Nguy��n, 1995; Nguy��n & H��, 1996; Kharin, 2006; Nguy��n et al., 2009). Diagnostic characters: Head small. Body slender anteriorly and long. More than 31 scale rows around midtail. Scale rows around neck 25���30; scale rows around body 39���49; ventrals 320���455. Maxillary teeth behind fangs 5���6. Colouration: Anterior part of body dark or black with pale yellowish oval spots on the sides or spots merging into bands. Posterior part of the body greyish white above, whitish below, with dark bands that may extend down the sides to form complete bands. Head dark or black. Size: 120 cm. General distribution: Singapore, Gulf of Thailand, South China Sea, Philippines, Indonesia and Arafura Sea (Smith, 1926; David & Ineich, 1999). Remarks: H. atriceps has been regarded as a subspecies of H. fasciatus; now most authors recognise H. atriceps as a valid species (Cogger et al., 1983), thus excluding the allopatric H. fasciatus. Hydrophis belcheri (Gray): (Rasmussen et al., 2007). Diagnostic characters: Normally only one supralabial (the fourth) bordering the eye, but rarely two (third and fourth or fourth and fifth). Scale rows around neck 24���27; scale rows around body 32���37; ventrals 278���313. Maxillary teeth behind fangs 7���8, rarely 6 or 9. Colouration: Body yellow or greyish above, yellow-whitish below, with 52���70 dark or black bands. Head dark with flecks of olive or yellowish markings on prefrontal and around eye. Size: 94 cm. General distribution: Gulf of Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and New Guinea (McCarthy & Warrell, 1991; David & Ineich, 1999; Rasmussen et al., 2007; Nguy��n et al., 2009). Hydrophis brookii G��nther : (Smith, 1926; Bourret, 1934, 1936; Minton, 1975; Harding & Welch, 1980; Tran & Nguy��n, 1980; Kharin, 1984 b; Welch, 1988; Golay et al., 1993; Tran & Nguy��n, 1995; Nguy��n & H��, 1996; Dotsenko, 1999; Nguy��n et al., 2005; Kharin, 2006; Nguy��n et al., 2009). Diagnostic characters: Head small, body long and slender anteriorly. Scale rows around neck 25���31; scale rows around body 37���45; ventrals 328���414. Maxillary teeth behind fangs 4���5. Colouration: Body bluish white with 60 to 80 dark or black bands. Anteriorly these completely encircle the body, but posteriorly they narrow on the sides and may be incomplete below. Head blackish, with a yellow horseshoe mark on the upper side. Size: 104 cm. General distribution: Indo-Malayan Archipelago, South China Sea and North Coast of Borneo and Java (David & Ineich, 1999). Hydrophis caerulescens (Shaw) : (Smith, 1926; Bourret, 1934, 1936; Kharin, 1984 b; Tran & Nguy��n, 1995; Nguy��n & H��, 1996; Kharin, 2004 a; Nguy��n et al., 2005; Kharin, 2006; Nguy��n et al., 2009). Diagnostic characters: The only sea snake with more than 13 maxillary teeth (i.e. 14���18) behind the poison fangs. Scale rows around neck 31���43; scale rows around body 38���54; ventrals 253���334. Colouration: Body bluish-grey above, greyish below, with 40���60 dark or black bands, which are broader than the interspaces between them. With age the bands become indistinct and the body almost uniformly greyish blue. Size: 82 cm. General distribution: Pakistan, India, Andaman Sea, Indo-Malayan Archipelago, South China Sea, Indonesia, Arafura Sea and Gulf of Carpentaria (Australia) (David & Ineich, 1999). Hydrophis cyanocinctus Daudin : (Smith, 1926; Bourret, 1934, 1936; Shuntov, 1962; Pickwell, 1972; Harding & Welch, 1980; Tran & Nguy��n, 1980; Kharin, 1984 b; Golay et al., 1993; Tran & Nguy��n, 1995; Nguy��n & H��, 1996; Dotsenko, 1999; Nguy��n et al., 2005; Kharin, 2006; Nguy��n et al., 2009). Diagnostic characters: Scale rows around neck 27���35, rarely 25; scale rows around body 37���47; ventrals 279���390. Maxillary teeth behind fangs 5���8. Colouration: Very variable, especially the bands. Body pale yellow green or greyish above, whitish below. Dark bluish or black bands, which may be: a) encircling the body and broadest above, b) encircling the body and of rather uniform width, or c) broadest above and narrowing out to disappear laterally. On the posterior part of the body the bands are dorsally always broader than the interspaces between them. With age the banding pattern fades. Size: 275 cm. General distribution: From the Arabian Gulf in the west to Japan in the east (David & Ineich, 1999) Remarks: One of the largest species of sea snake, approaching 3 m. Hydrophis gracilis (Shaw): (Smith, 1926; Bourret, 1934, 1936; Shuntov, 1962; Harding & Welch, 1980; Tran & Nguy��n, 1980; Kharin, 1984 b; Golay et al., 1993; Tran & Nguy��n, 1995; Nguy��n & H��, 1996; Dotsenko, 1999; Nguy��n et al., 2005; Kharin, 2006; Nguy��n et al., 2009). Diagnostic characters: Ventrals entire anteriorly, more or less completely divided by a longitudinal furrow posteriorly. Head small. Body slender anteriorly. Scale rows around neck 17���23; scale rows around body 30���43; ventrals 215���350. Maxillary teeth behind fangs 5���6. Colouration: Anterior part of body black, with whitish lateral patches (formed by dark bands merging dorsally) or complete pale transverse bands. Posterior part of the body with more unbroken alternating black and whitish bands. With age the bands disappear and the body becomes uniformly greyish. Size: 122 cm. General distribution: From Arabian Gulf to South China Sea and Indonesia, Arafura Sea to Gulf of Papua (New Guinea) (David & Ineich, 1999). Smith (1926) defined two subspecies with H. g. microcephalus occurring in the middle of the range of the typical form (Natuna and Java Seas). Hydrophis klossi Boulenger : (Kharin, 2004 b, 2006). Diagnostic characters: Head small. Body slender anteriorly. Scale rows around neck 22���25, rarely 27; scale rows around body 30���37, rarely 39; ventrals 360���415. Maxillary teeth behind fangs 5���6. Colouration: Body greyish yellow with 50���75 dark or black bands, which are broader than their interspaces dorsally. Head greyish black, sometimes with an indistinct pale horseshoe-shaped mark above. Size: 142 cm. General distribution: Straits of Malacca, the Gulf of Thailand, Cambodia and southern Vietnam (David & Ineich, 1999; Kharin, 2004 b). Hydrophis lamberti Smith : (Kharin, 2006; Rasmussen et al., 2007; Nguy��n et al., 2009). Diagnostic characters: Scale rows around neck 37���45; scale rows around body 45���56; ventrals 258���306. Maxillary teeth behind fangs 9���12. Colouration: Body whitish or pale grey above, paler below. Large rounded dorsal bands anteriorly, posteriorly gradually becoming narrower and separated by broader interspaces. Bands broader above, narrow and faintly coloured laterally. Size: 122 cm. General distribution: Singapore, Gulf of Thailand, Vietnam and Philippines (Rasmussen, 1989; David & Ineich, 1999). Remarks: Has been included in H. ornatus by some authors (e. g. Smith, 1926), but is very distinct in its colour pattern. Hydrophis melanocephalus Gray : (Kharin, 2006; Rasmussen et al., 2007; Nguy��n et al., 2009). Diagnostic characters: Head small, body slender anteriorly. Scale rows around neck 23���27; scale rows around body 33���41; ventrals 289���358. Maxillary teeth behind fangs 6���8. Colouration: Body greyish yellow above, yellowish or white below, with 40���55 black bands, about as broad as their interspaces, usually broadest above and below. Head blackish, sometimes with yellow spots. Size: 123 cm. General distribution: Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Japan, and Philippines (David & Ineich, 1999; Kharin, 2006). Remarks: Has been confused with H. coggeri in the Australian region (Kharin, 1984 a). Hydrophis ornatus (Gray): (Smith, 1926; Bourret, 1934, 1936; Shuntov, 1962; Pickwell, 1972; Harding & Welch, 1980; Tran & Nguy��n, 1980; Kharin, 1984 b; Gasperetti, 1988; Golay et al., 1993; Tran & Nguy��n, 1995; Nguy��n & H��, 1996; Dotsenko, 1999; Nguy��n et al., 2005; Kharin, 2006; Rasmussen et al., 2007; Nguy��n et al., 2009). Diagnostic characters: Scale rows around neck 34���41; scale rows around body 42���54; ventrals 235���294. Maxillary teeth behind fangs 9���13. Colouration: Body pale grey above, whitish below. Broad dark greyish bands, interspaces narrow and almost equidistant anteriorly. Head olive-green or greyish above. Size: 115 cm. General distribution: From the Arabian Gulf in the west to Japan, Philippines, Indonesia and New Caledonia (Rasmussen, 1989; Ineich & Rasmussen, 1997; David & Ineich, 1999), and the Australian region (H. ornatus ocellatus) (Smith, 1926). Hydrophis pachycercos Fischer : (Rasmussen et al., 2007). Diagnostic characters: Scale rows around neck 26���31; scale rows around body 39���45; ventrals 247���297. Maxillary teeth behind fangs 7���8. Colouration: Body pale yellow above, white below, with pale brown transverse bands fading on the upper part of the flanks. Head white below, black/dark above with pale supralabials and a pale ring around the eyes. Size: 111 cm. General distribution: South China Sea (one specimen at the Natural History Museum, London, collected in ���E. Ind. Archipelago���)(Rasmussen et al., 2007). Remarks: Recently resurrected from H. belcheri (Rasmussen et al., 2007). Hydrophis parviceps Smith : (Smith, 1935; Taylor, 1963; Kharin, 1984 b; Nguy��n & H��, 1996; Nguy��n et al., 2005; Kharin, 2006; Rasmussen et al., 2007; Nguy��n et al., 2009). Diagnostic characters: Head small, body slender anteriorly. Scale rows around neck 19���21; scale rows around body 31���34; ventrals 329���348. Maxillary teeth behind fangs 6���7. Colouration: Body olivaceous above, greyish below, with 65���70 blackish bands. Head black with no or only a few faint paler marks. Size: 125 cm. General distribution: Southern Vietnam (Smith, 1935; Taylor, 1963) Remarks: Only two specimens known previously; one caught in 1929 and one in 1960, both from the coast of southern Vietnam (Smith, 1935; Taylor, 1963). Four additional specimens were collected during the fishing vessel survey in 2001 SW of Ham Tan. The species is endemic to Vietnam. Hydrophis spiralis (Shaw) : (Dotsenko, 1999). Diagnostic characters: Scale rows around neck 25���31; scale rows around body 33���38; ventrals 295���362. Maxillary teeth behind fangs 6���7. Colouration: Body yellow above, pale yellow below, with black bands. Interspaces broader than bands, at least posteriorly. Head yellow/dark above, paler below. Size: 275 cm. General distribution: From the Arabian Gulf in the west to Vietnam in the east, Indonesia and New Caledonia (Ineich & Rasmussen, 1997; David & Ineich, 1999; Dotsenko, 1999). Hydrophis torquatus diadema G��nther : (Bourret, 1934; Warrell, 1994; Ineich, 1996; Nguy��n & H��, 1996; Nguy��n et al., 2005; Nguy��n et al., 2009). Despite mentioned by many authors the species is not yet confirmed from Vietnamese waters. Diagnostic characters: Scale rows around neck 29���37; scale rows around body 35���49; ventrals 230���340. Maxillary teeth behind fangs 8���10. Colouration: Body grey or whitish above, yellow or whitish below, with black bands, which are often incomplete below. Bands fade and disappear with age, leaving the back more or less uniform grey. Head black with a yellowish band across the snout and along sides. Size: 104 cm. General distribution: Straits of Malacca, Borneo, Gulf of Thailand, Tonle Sap lake in Cambodia, and possibly China (Smith, 1926; Ineich, 1996; David & Ineich, 1999) Remarks: Three subspecies are defined, each with a very limited range (Smith, 1926). The one found closest to Vietnamese waters is H. torquatus diadema (Smith, 1926; Ineich, 1996)., Published as part of Rasmussen, Arne Redsted, Elmberg, Johan, Gravlund, Peter & Ineich, Ivan, 2011, Sea snakes (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae) in Vietnam: a comprehensive checklist and an updated identification key, pp. 1-20 in Zootaxa 2894 on pages 5-8, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.277666, {"references":["Rasmussen, A. R. & Ineich, I. 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(2004 a) On the Taxonomic Position of the Sea Snake Hydrophis caerulescens (Shaw, 1802) (Serpentes: Hydrophiidae). Russian Journal of Marine Biology, 30, 196 - 198.","Kharin, V. E. (2004 b) Review of sea snakes of the genus Hydrophis sensu stricto (Serpentes: Hydrophiidae). Russian Journal of Marine Biology, 30, 387 - 394.","Rasmussen, A. R. (1989) An analysis of Hydrophis ornatus (Gray), H. lamberti Smith, and H. inornatus (Gray) (Hydrophiidae, Serpentes) based on samples from various localities, with remarks on feeding and breeding biology of H. ornatus. Amphibia-Reptilia, 10, 397 - 417.","Kharin, V. E. (1984 a) A review of sea snakes of the group Hydrophis sensu lato (Serpentes, Hydrophiidae). 3. the genus Leioselasma. Zoologicheskii Zhurnal, 63, 1535 - 1546.","Gasperetti, J. (1988) Sea snakes. In: Buttiker, W. & Krupp, F. (Eds.) Fauna of Saudi Arabia. NCWCD Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, pp. 169 - 450.","Ineich, I. & Rasmussen, A. R. 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Arctic animals face dramatic habitat alteration due to ongoing climate change. Understanding how such species have responded to past glacial cycles can help us forecast their response to today's changing climate. Gray whales are among those marine species likely to be strongly affected by Arctic climate change, but a thorough analysis of past climate impacts on this species has been complicated by lack of information about an extinct population in the Atlantic. While little is known about the history of Atlantic gray whales or their relationship to the extant Pacific population, the extirpation of the Atlantic population during historical times has been attributed to whaling. We used a combination of ancient and modern DNA, radiocarbon dating and predictive habitat modelling to better understand the distribution of gray whales during the Pleistocene and Holocene. Our results reveal that dispersal between the Pacific and Atlantic was climate dependent and occurred both during the Pleistocene prior to the last glacial period and the early Holocene immediately following the opening of the Bering Strait. Genetic diversity in the Atlantic declined over an extended interval that predates the period of intensive commercial whaling, indicating this decline may have been precipitated by Holocene climate or other ecological causes. These first genetic data for Atlantic gray whales, particularly when combined with predictive habitat models for the year 2100, suggest that two recent sightings of gray whales in the Atlantic may represent the beginning of the expansion of this species' habitat beyond its currently realized range., Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe, 965