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Predation on marine snakes: a case for decapods supported by new observations from Thailand

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Harold K. Voris  and
William B. Jeffries
Harold K. Voris
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
William B. Jeffries
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA 17013, USA
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Abstract

Scientific and commercial collecting have documented high levels of abundance among several species of marine snakes. Estimates of first-year mortality in populations of marine snakes range from 40 to 90%. The primary cause of this mortality is unknown. Storms, currents, sun exposure, dehydration and fire are abiotic factors that may control populations of marine and amphibious snakes. Disease, malnutrition and predation are biotic factors known to affect populations. In the literature there are isolated reports of predation by marine mammals, birds of prey, fish and invertebrates. Sharks in Australian waters are known to be predators on sea snakes. Our studies show that in the estuaries, intertidal mangrove creeks and mud flats of southeast Asia decapod crustaceans are important snake predators. Microhabitat overlap, exoskeleton armour and a respiratory advantage in an underwater standoff argue for their potential as potent predators. Field observations, a survey of crab stomach contents and encounters between snakes and crabs under laboratory conditions support this hypothesis. –

Keywords

crabscrustaceansdecapodsmarine snakespredationsea snakesThailand
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 11 , Issue 4 , November 1995 , pp. 569 - 576
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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