(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species SNAKE, SALT MARSH, ATLANTIC
Species Id ESIS154010
Date 14 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - SNAKE, SALT MARSH, ATLANTIC
OTHER COMMON NAMES - SNAKE, SALT MARSH, ATLANTIC;SNAKE, WATER, STRIPED, EAST COAST; SNAKE, SALTWATER; SNAKE, WATER, SOUTHERN; SNAKE, WATER and BANDED
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Reptiles
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - CHORDATA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - REPTILIA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - SQUAMATA,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - COLUBRIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - NERODIA,
SPECIES AND SSP - FASCIATA, TAENIATA
SCIENTIFIC NAME - NERODIA FASCIATA TAENIATA
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Atlantic Salt Marsh Snake
Nerodia fasciata taeniata (Cope, 1895)
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Reptile
PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Reptilia
ORDER: Squamata FAMILY: Colubridae
The Atlantic salt marsh snake is a small water snake about 70 cm
in total length. Its dorsal pattern is variable, combining elements
of blotching and longitudinal striping. It has a median pair of dark
brown stripes on pale olive ground color, often fragmented posteriorly
into longitudinal series of blotches that may merge to form short
stripes in the neck region. The belly is reddish-brown to black with
a median row of yellowish spots (01).
The subspecies was described by Cope in 1895 as Natrix fasciata
taeniata but was placed in the genus Nerodia by Rossman and Eberle
(02).
The similarity between N. f. taeniata and hybrids of N. f.
compressicauda X N. f. clarki from the west coast of Florida suggest
that N. f. taeniata may actually be the product of past hybridization
involving clarki and compressicauda prototypes. Although today
Nerodia fasciata clarki occurs in Florida only along the west coast,
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species SNAKE, SALT MARSH, ATLANTIC
Species Id ESIS154010
Date 14 MAR 96
it is believed that during the Pleistocene, when the geography of
Florida was different, compressicauda and clarki may have had
overlaping distributions near what is now the range of taeniata. The
Atlantic salt marsh snake thus may be a relictual population of
hybrids between two forms that no longer occur in the area (03,04).
It has been suggested that salt marsh snakes merit separate specific
status, in which case the Atlantic salt marsh snake would be a
subspecies of Nerodia clarki (07).
The type locality for the subspecies is National Gardens, Volusia
County, Florida (04). Syntypes are in the Academy of Natural Sciences
of Philadelphia (03).
The Atlantic salt marsh snake may also be known by the common
names east coast striped water snake and saltwater snake (01). In
reference to the subspecies of snakes in Nerodia fasciata, the names
southern water snake or banded water snake may be used.
Taxonomy - 2 (DRAFT) - Status
Species SNAKE, SALT MARSH, ATLANTIC
Species Id ESIS154010
Date 14 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Florida; Federal Threatened
Florida; Officially Listed
T: Federal Threatened
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Atlantic salt marsh snake (Nerodia fasciata taeniata)
has been designated a Threatened species pursuant to the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (50 CFR 17.11; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16
U.S.C. 1531-1540), as amended. The subspecies has this status
wherever found including the State of Florida.
This subspecies is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import,
export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild
animal (alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring):
(1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed,
transported or sold in violation of any State law or
regulation; or
(2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law,
treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law.
It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead
including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in
18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in
violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian
tribal law.
RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:
USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.
DOD -Responsible for the law enforcement/protection of this
species with applicable State and Federal laws on
public land under their control. Also responsible for
management/recovery on Department of Defense lands.
All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
conservation of the species.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
STATE: Florida
DESIGNATED STATUS: Threatened
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species SNAKE, SALT MARSH, ATLANTIC
Species Id ESIS154010
Date 14 MAR 96
Commission.
STATE STATUTE: Article IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution,
372.072; Florida Statute Rule 39-27.03 to
39-27.05, Title 39, FAC.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
None.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
None.
77/06/02:42 FR 28165/28166 - Proposed rule to list as Endangered
77/11/29:42 FR 60745/60747 - Final rule to list as Endangered
82/09/27:47 FR 42387/42388 - Five year review
87/07/07:52 FR 25523/25528 - Notice of review
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - AQUATIC
TERRESTRIAL
COASTAL
LAND USE -
Streams and Canals
Bays and Estuaries
Forested Wetland
Nonforested Wetland
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Estuarine, intertidal SB3
Estuarine, intertidal FO3
Estuarine, intertidal EM1
Estuarine, subtidal UB3
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The Atlantic salt marsh snake inhabits primarily coastal salt
marshes and also mangrove swamps. It specifically has been reported
along shallow tidal creeks and pools in association with glasswort
(Salicornia perennis), blackrush (Juncus roemerianus), and black
mangrove (Avicennia germinans). It occurs in saline environments
ranging from brackish to full strength, and is often associated with
fiddler crab burrows (01). The Atlantic salt marsh snake is most
active at night during periods of low tide when it feeds on small fish
in shallow water (04).
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species SNAKE, SALT MARSH, ATLANTIC
Species Id ESIS154010
Date 14 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
CARNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Fish
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species SNAKE, SALT MARSH, ATLANTIC
Species Id ESIS154010
Date 14 MAR 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Terrestrial Features: Burrows
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species SNAKE, SALT MARSH, ATLANTIC
Species Id ESIS154010
Date 14 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
The Atlantic salt marsh snake, Nerodia fasciata taeniata, feeds
on small fish in shallow water (04). This snake forages in shallow
water during low tidal stages, apparently feeding on dense
congregations of small fishes that become entrapped during the falling
tide (01).
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
Unknown.
PERIODICITY:
Although primarily regarded as nocturnal, Atlantic salt marsh
snakes may be strongly influenced by tidal rhythms and have been
reported to forage in daylight during favorable tides (01).
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
Unknown.
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
Little information is available. One specimen reportedly
withdrew into a fiddler crab (Uca) burrow when approached during
daylight hours (01). The subspecies is usually associated with
fiddler crab burrows (04).
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
Unknown.
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
Little information is available. One captive female gave birth
to 9 young (8 alive, 1 stillborn) in late August. The reproductive
biology of this subspecies probably is similar to that of Nerodia
fasciata clarki which produces 4 to 14 live young during midsummer,
with an average litter size of 6 to 7 (01).
PARENTAL CARE:
Unknown.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
Nothing is known.
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
The Atlantic salt marsh snake is usually associated with fiddler
crabs, and their burrows (01,04).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
Unknown.
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species SNAKE, SALT MARSH, ATLANTIC
Species Id ESIS154010
Date 14 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Developing/maintaining stream structures
Beneficial
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Reforestation
Beneficial Restricting Poaching
Adverse Hybridization
Existing Hybridization
Adverse Salinity alteration
Existing Salinity alteration
Adverse Draining wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes
Existing Draining wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes
Adverse Strip mining
Existing Strip mining
Adverse Flooding
Existing Flooding
Adverse Dredging
Existing Dredging
Adverse Developing/maintaining stream bank vegetation
Existing Developing/maintaining stream bank vegetation
Adverse Shoreline modification/development
Existing Shoreline modification/development
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Progressive destruction of coastal marshes through wetland
filling, with the associated shoreline and bank development and
channel modifications, in Volusia, Brevard, and Indian River Counties
is threatening the habitat of the Atlantic salt marsh snake.
Continued filling of coastal wetlands will further limit the range of
this already restricted reptile. On Merritt Island the creation of
impoundments in marshlands for the purpose of mosquito control may be
eliminating this snake's habitat by reducing water salinity.
Furthermore, habitat disturbance in these regions may already be
responsible for increased genetic interchange between N. f. taeniata
and the freshwater snake Nerodia fasciata pictiventris. Such
interchange can only lead to obliteration of the N. f. taeniata
phenotype by the much larger N. f. pictiventris gene pool (01,03,04,
05,06).
The Atlantic salt marsh snake is reproductively compatible with
adjacent fresh water populations, and requires ecological isolation to
maintain genetic integrity. It appears to hybridize freely with the
Florida water snake in ecotonal areas of distributional overlap. It
can remain genetically distinct only if hybridization is limited to
narrow zones of ecological transition between freshwater and saltwater
habitats. Alteration of coastal wetlands through drainage and diking
enhances hybridization and prompts genetic introgression, i.e.,
genetic swamping by the Florida water snake (01).
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species SNAKE, SALT MARSH, ATLANTIC
Species Id ESIS154010
Date 14 MAR 96
UNAPPROVED PLAN:
No recovery plan has been initiated. The target date for the plan is
FY 1987 or 1988.
In a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of
Endangered Species (December 1976), H. Kochman emphasized that habitat
alteration and subsequent hybridization pose the chief threats to the
Atlantic salt marsh snake. Conservation measures must be oriented
toward safeguarding habitats and populations rather than specific
phenotypes.
Recovery actions may include the following:
1) Controlling development. The creation of impoundments for the
purpose of mosquito control may be eliminating habitat by
reducing the salinity in the immediate area. Other Atlantic salt
marsh snake habitat has been lost to wetland filling and the
associated development of the shoreline.
2) Snake collecting on the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
and at Tomoka River State Park should be prohibited, and that
prohibition enforced.
3) Rehabilitating habitat (or former habitat) already adversely
altered.
No formal advisory committee or recovery team has been
established.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species SNAKE, SALT MARSH, ATLANTIC
Species Id ESIS154010
Date 14 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Woodard, D.W. 1980. Selected vertebrate endangered species of the
seacoast of the United States: The Atlantic salt marsh snake.
Coastal Ecosystems Project, Office of Biolgoical Services, USFWS.
Pages 1-4.
02 Rossman, D.A. and W.G. Eberle. 1977. Partition of the genus
Natrix with preliminary observations on evolutionary trends in
natricine snakes. Herpetologica 33:34-43.
03 Dunson, W.A. 1979. Occurrence of partially striped forms of the
mangrove snake Nerodia fasciata compressicauda Kennicott and
comments on the status of N. f. taeniata Cope. Florida Scientist
42:102-112.
04 Kochman, H.J. and S.P. Christman. 1978. Atlantic salt marsh
snake. Pages 27-28. IN: Rare and endangered biota of Florida.
Vol. 3, Reptiles. R.W. McDairmid. University of Florida Presses,
Gainesville.
05 Denver Wildlife Research Center. 1983. A taxonomic study of the
Atlantic salt marsh snake, Nerodia fasciata taeniata (Cope).
Proposed Study Plan. Unpublished report on file at: U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Jacksonville Endangered Species Field Station,
Jacksonville, FL. 8 pp.
06 Hebrard, J.J. and R.C. Lee. 1981. A large collection of brackish
water snakes from the central Atlantic coast of Florida. Copeia
1981:886-889.
07 Lawson, R. 1986. Molecular studies of Thamnophiine snakes:1.
The phylogeny of the genus Nerodia. J. Herpetology 21(2):
140-157.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 Rochman, H.J. and S.P. Christman. 1978. Atlantic salt marsh
snake. Pages 27-28. IN: Rare and endangered biota of Florida.
Vol. 3, Reptiles. McDairmid, R.W., ed. University of Florida
Presses, Gainesville.
02 Hebrard, J.J. and R.C. Lee. 1981. A large collection of brackish
water snakes from the central Atlantic coast of Florida. Copeia
1981:886-889.
03 Denver Wildlife Research Center. 1983. Unpublished report. A
taxonomic study of the Atlantic salt marsh snake, Nerodia fasciata
taeniata (Cope). Proposed Study Plan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Jacksonville Endangered Species Field Station,
Jacksonville, FL. 8 pp.
04 Woodard, D.W. 1980. Selected vertebrate endangered species of the
seacoast of the United States - the Atlantic salt marsh snake.
Coastal Ecosystems Project, Office of Biological Services, USFWS.
Pages 1-4.
References - 1