In order to explore the macro-and micro-morphological characteristics of yellow-bellied sea snake(Hydrophis platurus),the morphological characteristics and scale microdermatoglyphic structure of one yellow-bellied sea snake speci-men were investigated,using the classical classification and scanning electron microscope observation methods.The re-sults showed that there was a clear boundary between the dark colored back and light colored belly of the specimen,with a prominent snout.There was no significant difference in the shape and size of the dorsal and abdominal scales.The micro-scopic dermatoglyphic structure of the dorsal scales showed many ear-like structures arranged in a staggered manner along the longitudinal axis of the body,and the entire field of view presented a ripple like pattern,with deep grooves between the ear-like structures.The morphological structure of the specimen conforms to the morphological characteristics of the yellow-bellied sea snake,and the microscopic dermatoglyphic structure of its scale is obviously different from the terrestrial species of Elapidae family,such as the Zhoushan Naja(Naja atra)and Guangxi coral snake(Sinomicrurus peinani).The morpho-logical structure conforms to the morphological characteristics of the yellow-bellied sea snake,and the micro dermato-glyphic structure of the scale shows obvious characteristics of adaptation to aquatic life.This structural feature is conducive to reducing the resistance of the yellow-bellied sea snake when swimming,and its grooves and holes are conducive to the interception of sea water.The results suggest that the microdermatoglyphic structure of snake scales has a clear taxonomy significance,but it may not be appropriate to infer the phylogenetic relationship of snakes.
维普
万方数据