Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Species List: 30-09-2018, La Balsa Park, Mooloolah River, Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Qld.

29 species sighted at La Balsa Park, Mooloolah River, Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Qld, 30-09-2018.

A single shore entry dive by Terry and David of 141 minutes. Maximum depth 5.4 m, 21 C water temperature and 5 m viz.

As we were gearing up for the dive the heavens opened with a huge deluge accompanied by a symphony of thunder and lightning. Our walk to the entrance stairs required negotiation of several pools of water that cascaded into the river. Once below the surface all was serene as we glided along inspecting every nook, cranny and patch of sand for river slugs. We were rewarded with a new find in Elysia sp. 23 and several others of note, due to rarity, including: Cratena sp. 3, Cratena sp. 5, Flabellina sp. 3 and Goniodoridella sp. 7. Exhausted camera batteries finally sent us to the surface.

Species and number thereof sighted
* Species with highest specimen count

Bulbaeolidia alba -1
Cratena lineata -1
Cratena simba -1
Cratena sp. 3 -1
Cratena sp. 5 -1
Discodoris lilacina -2
Elysia sp. 23 -1 (New species)
Facelina bourailli -1
Facelina sp. 8 -1
Flabellina rubrolineata -4
Flabellina sp. 3 -1
Goniobranchus aureopurpureus -1
*Goniobranchus daphne -15
Goniobranchus decorus -2
Goniobranchus splendidus -1
Goniodoridella savignyi -1
Goniodoridella sp. 1 -10+
Goniodoridella sp. 7 -3
Gymnodoris sp. 9 -2
Gymnodoris sp. 10 -1
Gymnodoris sp. 17 -4
Hypselodoris obscura -5
Plocamopherus ceylonicus -1
Pteraeolidia semperi -10+
Spurilla braziliana -1
Unidentia sp. 1 -1
Unidentia sp. 2 -2
Unidentia sp. 3 -1 (Possibly)
Verconia simplex -1

Preparing to leave the storm above

Goniodoridella sp. 1

Gymnodoris sp. 9

Gymnodoris sp. 17

Gymnodoris sp. 10

Elysia sp. 23 - New species

Cratena sp. 5

Flabellina rubrolineata

Goniodoridella sp. 7

Goniobranchus aureopurpureus

Discodoris lilacina

Flabellina sp. 3 - paler notum but darker cerata

Spurilla braziliana - avoiding Gymnodoris sp. 9

Cratena sp. 3

Possibly Unidentia sp. 3

Gymnodoris sp. 17 - a very dark form

Plocamopherus ceylonicus