V. E. Kharin - On the validity of the generic name Praescutata Wall, 1921 for the viperine sea snake Thalassophis viperinus Schmidt, 1852 (Serpentes: Hydrophiidae)

BIOLOGIYA MORYA, 2013, Vol. 39, No. 2, pp. 149-151

On the validity of the generic name Praescutata Wall, 1921 for the viperine sea snake Thalassophis viperinus Schmidt, 1852 (Serpentes: Hydrophiidae)

A.V. Zhirmunsky Institute of Marine Biology, Far East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok 690059

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The validity of the generic name Praescutata proposed for the viperine sea snake Thalassophis viperinus is discussed. The name Praescutata should be considered as a senior objective synonym of Thalassophina. An expanded diagnosis of the genus Praescutata is provided.

Key words: Praescutata, Thalassophina, validity, diagnosis.