Insights into the rare Viperine sea snake, Hydrophis viperinus (Schmidt, 1852): Addressing research gaps along the Indian coastline

Abstract

The Viperine sea snake (Hydrophis viperinus), occasionally called the Grey Sea Snake, is an elapid sea snake found in tropical and subtropical reefs and coasts of the Indo-Pacific waters. The species has been reported in limited numbers along the Indian coast, either as bycatch or stranded. Given its naturally rare occurrence, there is a considerable lack of information about its research history in India. This review assembles all available information on species (n = 112) through various search engines and databases, ranging from 1852 to 2024. The literature was then analysed to determine areas where further research is required. Despite recognising that India has listed H. viperinus as a scheduled species, it remains vital to understand how anthropogenic activities affect the species' habitats to conduct vulnerability assessments and prevent exploitation. This article reviews the ecology, population dynamics, and threats while highlighting research gaps concerning the species in its Indian distribution.