Thursday, June 5, 2014

Species List: Hancock Shoal, Coolum North, Sunshine Coast, 03-06-2014

36 species sighted at Hancock Shoal to the north of Coolum, Sunshine Coast.

Terry and David on this excursion consisting of 1 x 91 minute and 1 x 80 minute dives in water depths of 14m to 17m. 24C water temp, 18m viz and a slight surge.

This is a new dive site for the team and what better way to examine a new site than with absolutely perfect surface conditions for the longer trip and 18m viz. Mainly flat terrain with a couple of shallower ledges with undercuts. Plenty of small rocks and old coral plates to examine on their underside for reclusive species. A new species to our list was found - Platydoris sanguinea - under an old coral plate. Under the same plate was a small Tritonia sp. 1 being only the second time we have recorded it in our survey area. This site warrants further investigation when suitable weather conditions permit.

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

Aegires citrinus -/1
Ardeadoris aff. averni 1/2
Ardeadoris rubroannulata 1/-
Berthellina citrina -/3
Bornella anguilla -/1
Chromodoris sp. 1 -/1
Chromodoris striatella 2/-
Dermatobranchus rodmani -/1
Dermatobranchus tuberculatus 1/-
Doriprismatica atromarginata 1/2
Glossodoris vespa 2/1
Goniobranchus albonares 1/-
Goniobranchus collingwoodi -/1
Goniobranchus daphne -/1
Goniobranchus decorus -/1
Goniobranchus splendidus 1/-
Hexabranchus sanguineus -/1
Hypselodoris jacksoni 1/1
Hypselodoris obscura 2/2
Jorunna sp. 3 1/-
Miamira magnifica 1/-
Nembrotha purpureolineata -/1
Noumea simplex -/1
Phyllidia elegans 1/-
Phyllidia ocellata 2/-
Phyllidia varicosa 1/-
Phyllidiella lizae -/1
Phyllidiella pustulosa 2/1
Phyllodesmium magnum 1/-
Platydoris sanguinea 1/- (New species)
* Pteraeolidia ianthina -/5
Sagaminopteron ornatum 1/2
Sagaminopteron psychedelicum 1/-
Thorunna daniellae 1/-
Tritonia sp. 1 1/-
Tritoniopsis alba 3/1

Surface conditions - on arrival at site 
- looking north

Glossodoris vespa

Ardeadoris aff. averni

Phyllidia varicosa

Phyllidia ocellata

Phyllidia elegans

Tritoniopsis alba

Ardeadoris rubroannulata

Phyllidiella pustulosa

Sagaminopteron ornatum

Hypselodoris jacksoni

Bornella anguilla

Noumea simplex

Aegires citrinus

Substrate

Surface conditions during our surface interval 
- looking south - it just kept getting better

Looking up from the bottom at 17m
- boat and anchor buoy in view

Phyllodesmium magnum

Jorunna sp. 3

Sagaminopteron psychedelicum

Platydoris sanguinea - New species

Platydoris sanguinea

Tritonia sp. 1

Tritonia sp. 1

Goniobranchus albonares

Miamira magnifica

Hexabranchus sanguineus - Juvenile

Chromodoris sp. 1

Goniobranchus collingwoodi