Thursday, August 31, 2017

Species List: 30-08-2017, North East Reef and Bornella Reef both at Old Woman Island, off Mudjimba, Sunshine Coast, Qld.

22 species sighted at North East Reef and Bornella Reef both at Old Woman Island, off Mudjimba, Sunshine Coast, Qld, 30-08-2017

Gary and David on this excursion consisting of a first dive at NE Reef, Old Woman Island of 87 minutes in water depths from 10 m to 13 m, 10 m viz, 21 C water temp with some surge and a second dive at Bornella Reef, Old Woman Island of 71 minutes in water depths from 10 m to 13 m, 8 m viz, 21 C water temp with some surge.

Fewer species were sighted than we would have expected. The minuscule Kaloplocamus acutus was an uncommon find. The large number of Thuridilla splendens seen on both dives was also unusual because although it is a common species they aren't found in double digits. This time it just pipped the ubiquitous Doriprismatica atromarginata.

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

Aegires citrinus -/1
Aegires gardineri -/1
Ardeadoris rubroannulata -/1
Atys semistriatus (shell) 1/-
Bornella anguilla 1/-
Chromodoris kuiteri 1/-
Cratena simba -/1
Doriprismatica atromarginata 12/5
Goniobranchus leopardus 1/-
Goniobranchus splendidus 3/4
Goniodoridella savignyi -/2
Hypselodoris jacksoni 5/4
Kaloplocamus acutus 1/-
Phyllidia elegans 2/-
Phyllidia ocellata 1/1
Phyllidiella pustulosa 1/2
Sagaminopteron ornatum 2/-
Thuridilla carlsoni 1/-
* Thuridilla splendens 11/8
Tornatina sp. 1 1/-
Tritoniopsis elegans -/1
Verconia romeri -/1

Kaloplocamus acutus

Hypselodoris jacksoni

Aegires citrinus

Verconia romeri

Aegires gardineri 

A view to the Island from NE Reef.

Substrate

Tornatina sp. 1 - in the grip of another mollusc 

Thuridilla splendens - most prolific

Sagaminopteron ornatum

Phyllidia elegans

Chromodoris kuiteri

Atys semistriatus (shell)

Doriprismatica atromarginata

A view to the Island from Bornella Reef

Tritoniopsis elegans - juvenile specimen

Ardeadoris rubroannulata 

Goniodoridella savignyi - a pair

Phyllidia ocellata

Goniobranchus splendidus - a pair

Phyllidiella pustulosa