13-10-2017
Julie, Terry, Gary and David on this excursion consisting of 2 x 61 minute dives in water depths from 16 m to 21 m. 15 m viz, 21 C water temp and no surge.
Although it was a little lumpy on the trip out almost perfect surface conditions (apart from a little surface current) existed by the time we entered the water. We were all in our semi-dry suits and with the water at depth being a little cooler than the shallower dives around the island and in the river we certainly felt its effect. This is a site that has a variety of topography that no doubt usually contributes to the finding of a reasonable number of sea slugs. Finds worthy of a mention include: Goniobranchus sp. 1, Goniobranchus roboi, Favorinus japonicus, Doris sp. 1 and Chromodoris burni. There are two specimens of Dermatobranchus that have us scratching our heads a little. Whilst at first glance they seem similar to species we have recorded previously a closer reading of Dermatobranchus descriptions have us reviewing and rethinking some of our identifications.
Number of each species sighted: 1st dive/2nd dive
* Species with highest specimen count
Aegires flores -/1
Ardeadoris sp. 2 1/3
Bornella anguilla -/2
Cadlinella ornatissima 1/-
Ceratosoma tenue 1/-
Chelidonura inornata 3/-
Chromodoris burni 1/-
Chromodoris elisabethina 2/7
Chromodoris kuiteri 1/1
Chromodoris sp. 1 4/1
Chromodoris sp. 3 -/1
Chromodoris striatella -/1
Chromodoris strigata 1/1
Dermatobranchus ornatus 1/-
Dermatobranchus sp. 8 1/1
Dermatobranchus sp. ? 1/-
Dermatobranchus sp. ? -/1
Diversidoris sp. 1 1/-
* Doriprismatica atromarginata 6/14
Doris sp. 1 1/-
Favorinus japonicus 3/-
Flabellina rubrolineata 1/-
Glossodoris vespa 1/2
Goniobranchus kuniei -/2
Goniobranchus roboi -/1
Goniobranchus splendidus 1/2
Goniobranchus sp. 1 -/1
Hypselodoris jacksoni 3/2
Hypselodoris maculosa -/2
Hypselodoris obscura -/1
Hypselodoris tryoni -/1
Roboastra luteolineata 4/1
Phyllidia ocellata -/1
Phyllidiella lizae -/2
Phyllidiella pustulosa 2/4
Phyllidiopsis burni 1/-
Sagaminopteron ornatum -/1
Tenellia sp 44 -/2
Thuridilla carlsoni 1/-
Thuridilla splendens 3/5
Tylodina corticalis -/2
Verconia simplex -/1
Discussing the destination
Glossodoris vespa
Coral cover
Phyllidiopsis burni
Dermatobranchus sp. 8
Thuridilla splendens
Doris sp. 1
Chelidonura inornata
Tenellia sp 44 - a pair
Bornella anguilla
Goniobranchus splendidus
Goniobranchus kuniei
Doriprismatica atromarginata
Surface conditions
Commencing the search
Chromodoris elisabethina
Chromodoris sp. 1
Looking along the edge of the ridge
Chromodoris strigata
Cadlinella ornatissima
Phyllidiella lizae
Tylodina corticalis
Sagaminopteron ornatum
Chromodoris sp. 3
Hypselodoris obscura
Goniobranchus roboi
Goniobranchus sp. 1
Hypselodoris maculosa
Verconia simplex
Diversidoris sp. 1
Favorinus japonicus - feeding on opisthobranch
spawn (possibly Marionia)
Ardeadoris sp. 2
Chromodoris burni
Hypselodoris jacksoni
Chromodoris strigata
Chromodoris kuiteri
Roboastra luteolineata
Dermatobranchus sp. ?
Dermatobranchus sp. ?
