Nudibranch Central: Species List: Shellacey Reef, Gneering Shoals, off Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, 25-01-2014

Monday, January 27, 2014

Species List: Shellacey Reef, Gneering Shoals, off Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, 25-01-2014

27 species found at Shellacey Reef, Gneering Shoals, off Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast.
Terry, Julie & David on this excursion consisting of 1 x 90 minute & 1 x 80 minute dives in water depths of 14m to 18m. 15m viz, 26C water temp and a light surge.

What an incredible change this was to the water clarity of earlier in the week when we were just a few kilometres to the south. The water was a deep blue and we could see the substrate from the surface. Surface conditions were also ideal becoming calmer as the morning progressed. The phyllidiids (7 species) were out in force but the aeolids in short supply. Highlights included Mexichromis macropus, Marionia cyanobranchiata & Chelidonura hirundinina - all beautiful species.

- Number of species sighted: 1st dive/ 2nd dive
* Species with highest specimen count

Aegires flores 1/-
Berthellina citrina 2/-
Chelidonura hirundinina 1/-
Chelidonura inornata 1/1
Chromodoris elisabethina 4/4
Chromodoris kuiteri 2/2
Chromodoris splendida 2/-
Chromodoris striatella 1/-
Chromodoris strigata 1/-
Dermatobranchus ornatus 4/-
* Doriprismatica atromarginata 6/6
Flabellina rubrolineata -/1
Glossodoris vespa 1/-
Hypselodoris godeffroyana 1/-
Hypselodoris jacksoni 5/-
Marionia cyanobranchiata -/1
Mexichromis macropus 1/-
Mexichromis trilineata 1/-
Phyllidia elegans 2/1
Phyllidia exquisita -/1
Phyllidia ocellata 1/-
Phyllidia varicosa 2/5
Phyllidiella lizae 2/3
Phyllidiella pustulosa -/9
Phyllidiopsis burni 1/1
Phyllodesmium macphersonae 1/-
Thuridilla splendens -/1