We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Northward dispersal of sea kraits (Laticauda semifasciata) beyond their typical range.
- Authors
Park, Jaejin; Kim, Il-Hun; Fong, Jonathan J.; Koo, Kyo-Soung; Choi, Woo-Jin; Tsai, Tein-Shun; Park, Daesik
- Abstract
Marine reptiles are declining globally, and recent climate change may be a contributing factor. The study of sea snakes collected beyond their typical distribution range provides valuable insight on how climate change affects marine reptile populations. Recently, we collected 12 Laticauda semifasciata (11 females, 1 male) from the waters around southern South Korea—an area located outside its typical distribution range (Japan, China including Taiwan, Philippines and Indonesia). We investigated the genetic origin of Korean specimens by analyzing mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (Cytb) sequences. Six individuals shared haplotypes with a group found in Taiwan-southern Ryukyu Islands, while the remaining six individuals shared haplotypes with a group encompassing the entire Ryukyu Archipelago. These results suggest L. semifasciata moved into Korean waters from the Taiwan-Ryukyu region via the Taiwan Warm Current and/or the Kuroshio Current, with extended survival facilitated by ocean warming. We highlight several contributing factors that increase the chances that L. semifasciata establishes new northern populations beyond the original distribution range.
- Subjects
LATICAUDA semifasciata; MARINE reptiles; CLIMATE change; CYTOCHROME b; HAPLOTYPES
- Publication
PLoS ONE, 2017, Vol 12, Issue 6, p1
- ISSN
1932-6203
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0179871