Monday, December 2, 2013

Species List: Kings Beach Boat Ramp, Caloundra, Sub-tidal, 29-11-2013


19 species found during two shore dives from Kings Beach Boat Ramp, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast.
Terry, Julie and David on this excursion consisting of 1 x 92min dive to the SE and 1 x 100min dive to the SW.
Max. depth 3.8m, 5m viz, 24C water temp and a little surge but no suspended weed this time.

Undeterred by last Sunday's conditions we walked straight back in soon after sunrise last Friday and were not disappointed this time. Highlights included finding here on the Sunshine Coast for the 1st time Elysia bangtawaensis (New Species). Also a vivid red Gymnodoris aff. citrina (uncommon), Phyllodesmium crypticum, Bornella hermanni  (New Species) amongst the weed and two Hydatina physis (rose petal bubble shell) hunting in the dawn shallows. A lone Aplysia argus was found rolling around in the shallow surge. Overall a couple of very cruisy and relaxed dives.

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


Aplysia argus -/1
Ardeadoris aff. averni 1/-
Bornella hermanni -/1 (New Species)
*Doriprismatica atromarginata 4/6
Dermatobranchus rodmani -/1
Dermatobranchus cf. primus -/1
Elysia bangtawaensis -/1 (New Species)
Gymnodoris bicolor 1/1
Gymnodoris aff. citrina -/1
Goniobranchus daphne -/2
Hypselodoris maritima 2/2
*Hypselodoris obscura 8/2
Hydatina physis 2/-
Mexichromis festiva 5/1
Mexichromis trilineata 1/-
Phyllodesmium crypticum 1/-
Phyllodesmium sp. 2 1/-
Tritoniopsis alba 4/1
Tylodina corticalis 1/-

The substrate

Doriprismatica atromarginata

Gymnodoris bicolor

Mexichromis festiva

Mexichromis trilineata

Hypselodoris maritima

Hydatina physis

Ardeadoris aff. averni

Gymnodoris aff. citrina - in situ

Gymnodoris aff. citrina

Gymnodoris aff. citrina

More substrate

Crawling around in the gloom

Phyllodesmium sp. 2

Many egg coils sighted - tethered to the substrate

Hypselodoris obscura

Mexichromis festiva

Hydatina physis - head shot

Hypselodoris maritima

Phyllodesmium crypticum - in situ

Phyllodesmium crypticum

Phyllodesmium crypticum

Phyllodesmium crypticum

Phyllodesmium crypticum

Phyllodesmium crypticum - c/up of cerata

Bornella hermanni

Bornella hermanni - c/up of rhinophore and cup

Bornella hermanni

Elysia bangtawaensis - in situ, ploughing 
through the algal mat

Elysia bangtawaensis

Aplysia argus - stabilization intervention failed - it no stick