Terry and David on this excursion consisting of 1 x 91 minute and 1 x 80 minute dives in water depths of 14m to 17m. 24C water temp, 18m viz and a slight surge.
This is a new dive site for the team and what better way to examine a new site than with absolutely perfect surface conditions for the longer trip and 18m viz. Mainly flat terrain with a couple of shallower ledges with undercuts. Plenty of small rocks and old coral plates to examine on their underside for reclusive species. A new species to our list was found - Platydoris sanguinea - under an old coral plate. Under the same plate was a small Tritonia sp. 1 being only the second time we have recorded it in our survey area. This site warrants further investigation when suitable weather conditions permit.
Number of species sighted: 1st dive/2nd dive
* Species with highest specimen count
Aegires citrinus -/1
Ardeadoris aff. averni 1/2
Ardeadoris rubroannulata 1/-
Berthellina citrina -/3
Bornella anguilla -/1
Chromodoris sp. 1 -/1
Chromodoris striatella 2/-
Dermatobranchus rodmani -/1
Dermatobranchus tuberculatus 1/-
Doriprismatica atromarginata 1/2
Glossodoris vespa 2/1
Goniobranchus albonares 1/-
Goniobranchus collingwoodi -/1
Goniobranchus daphne -/1
Goniobranchus decorus -/1
Goniobranchus splendidus 1/-
Hexabranchus sanguineus -/1
Hypselodoris jacksoni 1/1
Hypselodoris obscura 2/2
Jorunna sp. 3 1/-
Miamira magnifica 1/-
Nembrotha purpureolineata -/1
Noumea simplex -/1
Phyllidia elegans 1/-
Phyllidia ocellata 2/-
Phyllidia varicosa 1/-
Phyllidiella lizae -/1
Phyllidiella pustulosa 2/1
Phyllodesmium magnum 1/-
Platydoris sanguinea 1/- (New species)
* Pteraeolidia ianthina -/5
Sagaminopteron ornatum 1/2
Sagaminopteron psychedelicum 1/-
Thorunna daniellae 1/-
Tritonia sp. 1 1/-
Tritoniopsis alba 3/1
Surface conditions - on arrival at site
- looking north
Glossodoris vespa
Ardeadoris aff. averni
Phyllidia varicosa
Phyllidia ocellata
Phyllidia elegans
Tritoniopsis alba
Ardeadoris rubroannulata
Phyllidiella pustulosa
Sagaminopteron ornatum
Hypselodoris jacksoni
Bornella anguilla
Noumea simplex
Aegires citrinus
Substrate
Surface conditions during our surface interval
- looking south - it just kept getting better
Looking up from the bottom at 17m
- boat and anchor buoy in view
Phyllodesmium magnum
Jorunna sp. 3
Sagaminopteron psychedelicum
Platydoris sanguinea - New species
Platydoris sanguinea
Tritonia sp. 1
Tritonia sp. 1
Goniobranchus albonares
Miamira magnifica
Hexabranchus sanguineus - Juvenile
Chromodoris sp. 1
Goniobranchus collingwoodi
