Laticauda semifasciata, , Taylor, 1922

Leviton, Alan E., Siler, Cameron D., Weinell, Jeffrey L. & Brown, Rafe M., 2018, Synopsis of the Snakes of the Philippines, Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 64 (14), pp. 399-568 : 469

Laticauda semifasciata (Reinwardt in Schlegel, 1837)

Half-banded Sea Krait

Platurus semifasciatus Reinwardt in Schlegel, 1837b:516. Laticauda semifasciata, Taylor, 1922a:234 , pl. 3, fig. 2, pl. 30; 1923:554.— Smith, 1926:10, fig.

6.— David and Ineich, 1999:125.— Oliveros, Ota, Crombie, and Brown, 2011:16.— Ras-

mussen et al., 2011:9.— Leviton, Brown, and Siler, 2014:514. Pseudolaticauda semifasciata, Kharin, 1984b:135 .— Wallach, Williams, and Boundy, 2014:592.

TYPE LOCALITY AND TYPE SPECIMEN (S).— Moluccas. Holotype: RMNH 1468 (see also comments by Stejneger [1907a:409]).

PHILIPPINE DISTRIBUTION ( Map 20B [p. 131]).— [coastal waters of the islands of] Babuyan Ids. (Babuyan Claro), Bohol, Capones, Cuyo, Gato, Luzon (Prov.: Zambales [coast of]), Negros (Prov.: Negros Oriental), Palawan, Sulu Id., Visayas (see David and Ineich [1999:125] and Wallach [2014:592]).

GENERAL DISTRIBUTION (OTHER THAN PHILIPPINES).— China, Taiwan, Japan, Russia, Indonesia (fide David and Ineich [1999:125]; Rasmussen et al. [2011:9]; Wallach et al. [2014:592]).

REMARKS.— We know of no recent genomic data to evaluate the status of the generic affiliation of Laticauda semifasciata or its congener, L. schistorhynchus . Based on morphological considerations, Kharin (1984) proposed the genus Pseudolaticauda to accommodate these two species, and this arrangement has been recognized by Wallach et al. (2014:592). However, we note that Rasmussen et al. (2011:9) retain this species in Laticauda , as did David and Ineich (1999:125) for reasons given, and we herein accept this assignment.

CONSERVATION STATUS [IUCN].— Least Concern [2016] ver. 3.1.