To our knowledge, this is the first report into trace elements accumulation in tissues of the short sea snake (Lapemis curtus). Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), vanadium (V), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) were determined in the kidney, liver, skin, and muscle tissues of short sea snake, L. curtus, from the Strait of Hormuz during October 2011. Skins generally displayed the lowest trace element burdens. Kidneys displayed the highest Pb, Cd, V, Ni, and Cu mean concentrations (0.89, 0.04, 1.66, 6.22, and 20.23 μg g(-1) dry weight, respectively), while muscle exhibited the highest Zn levels (493.32 μg g(-1) dry weight). Concentration ranges of the selected trace elements were compared with those reported in other studies. Data presented here may be considered as a baseline for further ecotoxicological studies in sea snakes.
Keywords: Lapemis curtus; Persian Gulf; Sea snake; Strait of Hormuz; Trace elements.