490 
THE CORAL TRIANGLE: HEARST BIODIVERSITY EXPEDITION 
40b. Dorsal scales hexagonal, juxtaposed, lowermost lateral scale rows not larger than adjacent 
upper lateral scales (Fig. 27C); midventral scales, when distinct, divided by a longitudinal 
groove; bieolored, ordinarily blaek above, yellow below, with some variation in whieh yellow 
extends farther up on the sides and the black is confined to a wide middorsal stripe; sometimes 
black bars on belly; tail mottled yellow and black; 8-10 maxillary teeth behind front fangs. . . 
Hydrophis [Pelamis] platurus (Fig. 30) 
Figures 27A-D. Dorsal scales: (A) scales juxtaposted {Hydrophis [Pelamis'] platurus)', (B) scales imbricate {Hydrophis 
[Astrotia] stokesii)', (C) lowermost 3 or 4 lateral rows not larger than adjacent upper lateral scales {Hydrophis [Pelamis] 
platurus)', (D) lowermost 3 or 4 lateral rows larger than upper lateral scales {Hydrophis [Lapemis] curtus [hardwicki]) 
Lower lateral 
scales enlarged 
Figure 28. Hydrophis [Lapemis] curtus. 
Photo courtesy of Harold Voris 
29. Hydrophis [Lapemis] curtus [hardwicki]. 
Photo of preserved specimen. 
Figure 30. Hydrophis [Pelamis] platurus. Photo courtesy of John Tashjian. 
