31 species sighted at Nudi Ledge, Currimundi Reef, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast.
Terry and David on this excursion consisting of 1 x 85 minute and 1 x 73 minute dives in water depths of 14m to 17m. 12m viz, 21C water temp, some surge.
We enjoyed almost perfect surface conditions with no current however the swell whilst appearing deceptively small during our trip out betrayed its presence by breaking upon the shallower parts of Currimundi Reef referred to as Raper Shoal. It had no significant effect upon our search but was just enough to make composition of subjects a little difficult at times. The two new species of Hermaea - sp. 6 and sp. 7 on our list are delightful finds.
Number of each species sighted: 1st dive/2nd dive
* Species with highest specimen count
Bornella anguilla 2/1
Cadlinella ornatissima 1/-
Chromodoris kuiteri 3/4
Costasiella kuroshimae 3/-
Dermatobranchus ornatus 3/2
*Doriprismatica atromarginata 18/18
Elysia maoria 1/1
Elysia sp. 5 2/-
Glossodoris rufomarginata -/1
Glossodoris vespa 2/1
Goniobranchus cf. reticulatus -/1
Goniobranchus kuniei -/1
Hermaea sp. 6 -/2 (New species)
Hermaea sp. 7 -/2 (New species)
Hypselodoris bullockii 1/-
Hypselodoris jacksoni 3/1
Hypselodoris obscura 1/4
Hypselodoris sagamiensis 1/1
Lobiger souverbii 1/-
Oxynoe viridis 3/1
Phyllidia ocellata 3/2
Phyllidia varicosa -/2
Phyllidiella lizae -/1
Phyllidiella pustulosa 8/3
Protaeolidiella juliae -/2
Pteraeolidia ianthina 1/-
Runcina sp. 5
Sagaminopteron ornatum 13/14
Tambja tenuilineata 2/-
Trapania vitta 1/-
Tylodina corticalis -/2
Substrate
Hypselodoris obscura
Sagaminopteron ornatum - a gaggle
Glossodoris vespa
Lobiger souverbii
Hypselodoris sagamiensis
Phyllidia varicosa
Bornella anguilla
Doriprismatica atromarginata
Hypselodoris jacksoni
Phyllidia ocellata
Chromodoris kuiteri
Goniobranchus cf. reticulatus
Phyllidiella pustulosa
Goniobranchus kuniei
Glossodoris rufomarginata
- note brown speckling on dorsum
Hermaea sp. 7 (New species)
Hermaea sp. 6 (New species)
Surface conditions - swell breaking
on Raper Shoal
Cadlinella ornatissima
Pteraeolidia ianthina
Elysia sp. 5
Tambja tenuilineata
Costasiella kuroshimae
Dermatobranchus ornatus
Terry spots a subject. Notice the sandy substrate
where the reef ledge drops away.
Hypselodoris bullockii
Oxynoe viridis
Elysia maoria
Protaeolidiella juliae
Tylodina corticalis
Runcina sp. 5
Trapania vitta
