Nudibranch Central: December 2017

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Species List: 29-12-2017, Bornella Reef, Old Woman Island, off Mudjimba, Sunshine Coast, Qld.

25 species sighted at Bornella Reef, Old Woman Island, off Mudjimba, Sunshine Coast, Qld, 29-12-2017.

Gary and David on this excursion consisting of 1 x 96 minute and 1 x 89 minute dives in water depths from 9 m to 13 m. 10 m viz, 26 C water temp and some surge.

The wind blew a steady 10 knots out of the east during this excursion to the Island. We have had better days regarding the number of species and their populations however two uncommon finds were Diversidoris crocea and Thorunna sp. 3.

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

Atys semistriatus (shell) -/1
Bulbaeolidia alba -/1
Chromodoris elisabethina 2/-
Chromodoris kuiteri 4/2
Chromodoris lochi 1/-
Chromodoris magnifica -/1
Dermatobranchus sp. 8 -/1
Diversidoris crocea -/1
* Doriprismatica atromarginata 21/10
Flabellina rubrolineata -/1
Glossodoris vespa 1/3
Goniobranchus leopardus -/1
Goniobranchus splendidus 2/3
Hypselodoris bullockii 1/-
Phyllidia exquisita 1/-
Phyllidia ocellata -/1
Phyllidiella lizae 1/2
Phyllidiella pustulosa 2/4
Phyllodesmium magnum 1/-
Pleurolidia juliae 1/-
Pteraeolidia semperi -/1
Sagaminopteron ornatum 3/
Thorunna sp. 3 -/1
Thuridilla splendens 6/4
Tritoniopsis elegans 1/-

The iconic Old Woman Island

Phyllodesmium magnum

Chromodoris elisabethina

Chromodoris kuiteri

Pleurolidia juliae

Hypselodoris bullockii

Doriprismatica atromarginata

Surface conditions

Phyllidiella pustulosa - mating pair

Thuridilla splendens

Dermatobranchus sp. 8

Phyllidiella lizae

Chromodoris magnifica - damage to mantle edge

Bulbaeolidia alba

Phyllidia ocellata

Pteraeolidia semperi

Flabellina rubrolineata

Atys semistriatus - shell

Substrate

Chromodoris lochi

Pleurolidia juliae

Thuridilla splendens

Sagaminopteron ornatum

Phyllidia exquisita

Tritoniopsis elegans

Goniobranchus leopardus

Diversidoris crocea

Thorunna sp. 3

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Species List: 24-12-2017, Nudi Retreat and Nudi Ledge, Currimundi Reef, Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

33 species sighted at Nudi Retreat and Nudi Ledge, Currimundi Reef, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, 24-12-2017.

Julie, Terry, Gary and David on this excursion consisting of 2 dives:
The first dive x 88 minutes at Nudi Retreat in water depths from 14 m to 17 m, 8 m viz, 24 C water temp and no surge.
The second dive x 80 minutes at Nudi Ledge in water depths from 15 m to 18 m, 8 m viz, 24 C water temp and no surge.

Pleasant diving conditions greeted us again except that the wind blew a little stronger and earlier than predicted chopping up the surface but this was only noticeable while reascending on the anchor line. It blew from the north, fortunately making for a following sea on our return trip. Nudi Retreat produced 24 species and Nudi Ledge 19 with only 10 being common to both sites. Uncommon finds were Phyllidiella cooraburrama at Nudi Retreat (only sighted once previously) and Miamira moloch at Nudi Ledge (only sighted twice previously).

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

Ardeadoris rubroannulata 1/-
Atys semistriatus (shell) 1/-
Bornella anguilla -/5
Bulbaeolidia alba 1/-
Chromodoris elisabethina -/5
Chromodoris kuiteri 4/6
Dermatobranchus ornatus 5/-
Dermatobranchus sp. 7 1/-
Dermatobranchus sp. 8 1/-
* Doriprismatica atromarginata 12/16
Glossodoris vespa -/1
Goniobranchus collingwoodi -/1
Goniobranchus splendidus 1/-
Gymnodoris alba 1/-
Gymnodoris sp. 10 1/-
Hexabranchus sanguineus 1/-
Hypselodoris jacksoni 1/1
Hypselodoris marítima -/1
Hypselodoris zephyra 1/-
Jorunna sp. 3 -/1
Mariaglaja inornata 3/1
Miamira moloch -/1
Nembrotha purpureolineata 1/-
Phyllidia ocellata 3/5
Phyllidia varicosa -/2
Phyllidiella lizae 3/3
Phyllidiella cooraburrama 1/-
Phyllidiella pustulosa 1/2
Pleurolidia juliae 1/2
Pteraeolidia semperi 3/1
Sagaminopteron ornatum 2/2
Tritoniopsis elegans 2/-
Tyrannodoris luteolineata -/1