Friday, April 1, 2016

Species List: Moffat Beach, Caloundra intertidal, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, 28-03-2016

6 species sighted at Moffat Beach, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Australia intertidal area. Two hours spent scouring the rock pools and boulders on the northern end of the rock platform to the south of Moffat Beach at low tide. A pleasant way to end the Easter long weekend.

Aside from the species listed below, we also found a number of Lamellaria sp. These are possibly better known under their common name, Velvet Snails, and are often confused with opisthobranchs because of their small size and small internal shell that is covered with fleshy lobes. A photo of one is shown below - the pointed head tentacles emerging from under the body and anterior siphon are clearly visible. Clearly not opisthobranchs but often the cause of some initial excitement when found.

Aplysia argus -22
Dendrodoris nigra - 3
Elysia coodgeensis - 9
Goniobranchus splendidus -1
Sebadoris fragilis - 1
Vayssierea caledonica - 34

Lamellaria sp. - not an opisthobranch
Goniobranchus splendidus

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