Sea snakes have been grouped in the taxonomic family Hydrophiidea [1][2]. They are found on all tropical shores of the Indian and Pacific Oceans and there venom is extremely toxic. Sea snakes are not usually aggressive; however, because so many are found on the shore there are a plethera of human victims. [3]

Laticauda semifasciata is a venomous sea snake found in the Philippines. Laticauda semifasciata uses it's venom for defense and to paralyze it's prey. The venom contains many different kinds of proteins such as lecithinase, anticoagulase, hyaluronidase, and neurotoxins[1]. The neurotoxins present in the venom seem to be the most active. They act at the acetylcholine receptor, causing paralysis of skeletal muscle, and death by respiratory arrest[4]. Sea snake venom is much more toxic than that of terrestrial snakes and varies in activity depending on the content of neurotoxins. The mechanism of action of the neurotoxins is remarkable as well as their biosynthesis. The neurotoxins present in Laticauda semifasciata venom are erabutoxin a, erabutoxin b, erabutoxin c, and L. semifasciata III.

Back to Table of Contents