The Cairns Post 22 Feb 12;
WEIPA has been described as one of the last sea snake "Serengetis". And it has delivered a new sea snake that could provide fresh clues to evolution and life-saving medications.
Scientists have named the snake, which has unique raised scales, Hydrophis donaldii,
with a common-name of "rough-scaled sea snake"
"Weipa really is one of the last sea snake serengetis," Associate Prof Bryan Fry from the University of Queensland’s School of Biological Sciences said.
"We can see over 200 sea snakes in a single night’s hunting, whereas sea snake populations have really crashed elsewhere through over-fishing, removing their prey and also drowning in trawling nets."
His comments and findings were published yesterday in Zootaxa, a scientific journal for animal taxonomists.
Associate Prof Fry said Hydrophis donaldii had evaded earlier discovery as it preferred estuarine habitats which were poorly surveyed and not targeted by commercial fisheries. The findings extended beyond simply discovering a rare animal.
"All venomous animals are bio-resources and have provided sources of many life-saving medications, such as treatments for high blood pressure and diabetes," he said.
"This reinforces why we need to conserve all of nature as the next billion dollar wonder drug may come from as unlikely a source as sea snake venom."
The snake’s scientific name Hydrophis donaldii honours Associate Prof Fry’s long-time boat captain David Donald.
"Quite simply we would not have found this snake without Dave’s unique knowledge of the area," Associate Prof Fry said.
New sea snake discovered in Queensland
Kim Lyell ABC News 22 Feb 12;
Scientists have discovered a new species of venomous snake in the Gulf of Carpentaria off far north Queensland.
The species has been dubbed the rough-scaled sea snake because of its unique raised scales.
University of Queensland Associate Professor Bryan Fry says it was discovered in waters off Weipa, where fishing trawlers do not operate.
He says it is one of three new sea snakes discovered in waters which are closed to trawlers.
He says the discovery could result in important medical breakthroughs.
"It's a good illustration of the fact that there are so many more of these animals out there than we realise," he said.
"These things are not just to be conserved, because all nature is precious, but the venomous animals in particular are a bio-resource and you might find the next wonder drug from something as unlikely as a sea snake."
He says venom from the creatures could potentially provide sources of life-saving medications.
"For example pain killers from cone snails, you have a diabetes treatment from the endangered gila monster," he said.
"There are a lot of different compounds that have been shown to be medically useful from these animals.
"It just illustrates why we need to preserve all of nature, because you just can't predict where the next little piece of beautiful magic like that is going to come from."