Ecological Insights and Conservation Perspectives on the Yellow-bellied Sea Snake Hydrophis platurus (Linnaeus, 1766) in Indian Waters

Abstract Marine snakes represent the unique adapted marine reptiles and form a distinctive component of reef and coastal ecosystems. Historically, the study of this group has been difficult because of the obstacles to collecting, managing, and retaining these creatures for field and lab-based research. The Yellow-bellied Sea snake, also known as Hydrophis platurus, is the most abundant hydrophiid snake on the planet and the only pelagic species. Out of seven, only three colour morphs are found in India. This review assembles all available species information (n=103) through various search engines and databases, ranging from 1936 to 2024. Since Yellow-bellied Sea snakes are frequently found along the coast, tracking their populations using passive telemetry and the mark-recapture approach would aid in assessing habitat utilization, site fidelity, fatalities through ongoing bycatch monitoring, and their ecological significance in aquatic ecosystems. Enhanced understanding of the ecology, population dynamics, diet, venom, bycatch composition, and pharmaceutical use of this species will fill information gaps in India. A thorough review of the Yellow-bellied Sea snake is intended in this paper, with particular attention paid to research gaps in the areas of ecology, behaviour pattern, reproduction, and the main threats posed by habitat degradation, including the destruction of mangrove forest habitat and coral reefs, as well as bycatch in trawls. It also seeks to identify specific areas where further research is needed, such as the impact of climate change on their distribution and abundance. Ultimately, this work aims to highlight the need for conservation efforts to protect this remarkable species and its habitat, emphasizing the importance of integrated approaches that involve local communities and stakeholders in the management and preservation of coastal ecosystems.