16 species found at Shellacey Reef, Gneering Shoals, Sunshine Coast.
Terry & David on this excursion on the Beagle consisting of 1 x 75 minute and 1 x 70 minute dives in water depths of 15m to 18m, 8m viz, 24C water temp and considerable surge. The wind arose more than that forecast but provided a following sea for the trip home.
The low number of species sighted, as to be expected, is in direct proportion to the amount of surge. It affects not only the visibility of the sea slugs which are probably down in the crevices but also the efficiency of the observers. The highlight was no doubt the finding of Ardeadoris sp. 1 (previously our Glossodoris sp. 3 on this website).
Number of species: 1st dive/2nd dive
*Species with highest specimen count.
Aegires flores -/1
Ardeadoris sp. 1 1/-
Chelidonura inornata -/2
Chromodoris elisabethina 6/-
Chromodoris kuiteri 1/-
Chromodoris splendida 2/3
*Doriprismatica atromarginata 6/4
Flabellina bicolor -/1
Glossodoris vespa 1/1
Marionia cyanobranchiata -/1
Phyllidia ocellata 1/-
Phyllidia varicosa 6/-
Phyllidiella lizae 1/1
Phyllidiella pustulosa 4/1
Phyllidiopsis burni 1/-
Thuridilla splendens 1/-
Surface conditions - a large bushfire
burning behind Kawana.
Phyllidia varicosa
Phyllidiella pustulosa
Phyllidia ocellata
Chromodoris elisabethina
Ardeadoris sp. 1
Doriprismatica atromarginata -
a little slug on a big sponge.
Aegires flores
Marionia cyanobranchiata
Chelidonura inornata
Flabellina bicolor
The substrate
Phyllidiopsis burni
Chromodoris splendida
Chromodoris kuiteri
Glossodoris vespa
Marionia cyanobranchiata - front on head shot
Marionia cyanobranchiata -3/4 headshot
Flabellina bicolor
