Laticauda crockeri

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	REPTILIA	SQUAMATA	ELAPIDAE

Scientific Name:

Laticauda crockeri

Species Authority:

Slevin, 1934

Common Name/s:

English

–

Crocker's Sea Snake, Rennell Island Sea Krait

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable D2 ver 3.1

Year Published:

2010

Assessor/s:

Lane, A. & Guinea, M.

Reviewer/s:

Livingstone, S.R., Elfes, C.T., Polidoro, B.A. & Carpenter, K.E. (Global Marine Species Assessment Coordinating Team)

Contributor/s:

Justification:
This species is only known from one location in a freshwater lake in the Solomon Islands, with an extent of occurrence of approximately 155 km². There is very little known about the species overall. Because it occurs in a single lake, it is susceptible to a number of future anthropogenic threats, such as pollution and harvesting, or natural events such as extreme weather leading to influx of sea water into the lake, hence it is listed as Vulnerable. More research is needed on this species' biology, ecology, and population status.

History:

1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Rare (Groombridge 1994)
1990	–	Rare (IUCN 1990)
1988	–	Rare (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1988)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is restricted to Lake Te-Nggano of Rennell Island, Solomon Islands (Cogger et al. 1987). The total extent of occurrence of this species is about 155 km².
Countries:	Native: Solomon Islands (South Solomons)
FAO Marine Fishing Areas:	Native: Pacific – western central
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	There is no known population information for this species, but its range is restricted to a small geographic area. There have been no surveys for this species since 1987.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species is believed to be viviparous and highly seasonal in reproduction, but data supporting this is limited (Cogger et al. 1987). It has never been observed on land, suggesting that it may be completely aquatic (Cogger et al. 1987). Unlike other members of the genus Laticauda, it eats fish of the genus Eleotris (gobies). The species is sexually dimorphic with larger and heavier females. The lake has a depth of 44 m, and is a mixture of brackish, fresh and salt water. The average distance from the lake shore to the ocean is 2 km.
Systems:	Freshwater; Marine

Habitat and Ecology:

This species is believed to be viviparous and highly seasonal in reproduction, but data supporting this is limited (Cogger et al. 1987). It has never been observed on land, suggesting that it may be completely aquatic (Cogger et al. 1987). Unlike other members of the genus Laticauda, it eats fish of the genus Eleotris (gobies). The species is sexually dimorphic with larger and heavier females. The lake has a depth of 44 m, and is a mixture of brackish, fresh and salt water. The average distance from the lake shore to the ocean is 2 km.

Systems:

Freshwater; Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	As this species inhabits a single lake, any threats or disturbance to this lake may have serious consequences for it. At present there is little information on current threats. The main threats to this species may be anthropogenic threats in the near future, such as coastal development, pollution and harvesting, or natural events such as extreme weather leading to influx of sea water into the lake.

Major Threat(s):

As this species inhabits a single lake, any threats or disturbance to this lake may have serious consequences for it. At present there is little information on current threats. The main threats to this species may be anthropogenic threats in the near future, such as coastal development, pollution and harvesting, or natural events such as extreme weather leading to influx of sea water into the lake.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	There are no species-specific conservation measures for this species. Its range is protected within a World Heritage Site. Conservation of Laticauda snakes should take into account both their marine and terrestrial habitat requirements.

Conservation Actions:

There are no species-specific conservation measures for this species. Its range is protected within a World Heritage Site. Conservation of Laticauda snakes should take into account both their marine and terrestrial habitat requirements.

Citation:	Lane, A. & Guinea, M. 2010. Laticauda crockeri. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 21 May 2013.
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