Thursday, December 5, 2013

Species List: Fairyland Gutter, Gneering Shoals, Sunshine Coast, 04-12-2013


27 species found at Fairyland Gutter, Gneering Shoals, Sunshine Coast.
Terry and David on this excursion consisting of 1 x 83 minute & 1 x 71 minute dives in water depths of 14m to 19m.
5m viz, 23C water temp, and some light surge on the shallower plateau.
Our fears of a stronger surge based on the swell rolling through were unfounded. Whilst the aeolids were unfortunately in short supply there were ample phyllidiids to fill our viewfinders. Highlights included the beautiful Ardeadoris rubroannulata, Okenia hallucigenia and the uncommon Phyllidiopsis burni.

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

Ardeadoris rubroannulata -/2
Bornella anguilla -/1
Cadlinella ornatissima 1/1
Chelidonura inornata -/2
Chromodoris elisabethina 4/1
Chromodoris splendida  1/2
Dermatobranchus cf. primus 1/1
Doriprismatica atromarginata 6/3
Flabellina rubrolineata 1/-
Glossodoris vespa  -/3
Hexabranchus sanguineus -/1
Hypselodoris aff. maculosa 1/-
Hypselodoris jacksoni 3/-
Hypselodoris obscura 3/1
Jorunna sp. 3 1/-
Okenia hallucigenia 1/-
Phyllidia elegans -/1
Phyllidia ocellata 1/-
Phyllidia picta -/1
Phyllidia varicosa 2/1
Phyllidiella lizae 3/3
*Phyllidiella pustulosa 6/6
Phyllidiopsis burni -/1
Roboastra luteolineata 1/1
Tambja tenuilineata -/1
Thuridilla splendens 2/1
Tylodina corticalis 2/-

Surface conditions

Cadlinella ornatissima

Hypselodoris obscura

Okenia hallucigenia

Chromodoris elisabethina 

Phyllidiella pustulosa

Hypselodoris jacksoni with colour pattern variation

Phyllidia ocellata

Doriprismatica atromarginata

Ardeadoris rubroannulata

Hexabranchus sanguineus

Phyllidiopsis burni

Bornella anguilla

Phyllidia picta

Phyllidia varicosa

Glossodoris vespa

Substrate - 5m viz

Surface conditions on the surface

Jorunna sp. 3

Flabellina rubrolineata

Tylodina corticalis

Hypselodoris aff. maculosa 

Going low & slow

Chromodoris splendida 

Dermatobranchus cf. primus

Tambja tenuilineata

Roboastra luteolineata

Chelidonura inornata

Hypselodoris jacksoni exhibiting 
typical colour pattern

Phyllidia elegans - the yellow rhinophores 
were retracted just as the photo was taken.
 The empty pockets can be seen at the anterior 
(left end in photo).