COMMENTS & OBSERVATIONS

Busy at the ramp as we were a little later than usual. Very smooth trip up to the Hancock Shoals with dolphin sightings en route. Swell, although not large, was long-period so the effects were very noticeable on the bottom. Mostly the usual subjects that were few and far between. The cold and surge certainly affected sightings. A juvenile dorid has been recorded as Hypselodoris maritima, as best guess, given that colour pattern is not fully developed. The aeolid Abronica payaso is not common.

Taxonomic Diversity:
Fourteen of the fifteen sighted species were nudibranchs, with 11 being dorids comprising 0 x phanerobranchs (non-retractile gill), 3 x porostomes (suctorial feeders – all of the Phyllidiidae family), 8 x cryptobranchs (retractable gill – all 8 belonging to the Chromodorididae family) and 3 were cladobranchs comprising 2 x aeolids, 1 x arminid and 0 x dendronotinids. A single cephalspidean (headshield slug) completes the species count. A total of 28 specimens were recorded. If diet is considered 12 of the 15 species are spongivores.

Our Historical Data:
– This excursion brings the number of survey dives to 17 at Hancock Shoals since we commenced fully recording data here on 03/06/2014.
– 109 species have been recorded at this site.
– Our most commonly recorded species at Hancock Shoals are Doriprismatica atromarginata (100%), Hypselodoris obscura (94%), Goniobranchus splendidus (88%) and Hypselodoris jacksoni (88%) – all sighted again on this excursion.
– This is the first time we have recorded Dermatobranchus sp. 07 at this site.
– Our last survey at Hancock Shoals was on 1/03/2024
(Historical data courtesy of Terry Farr, who extracts it from his comprehensive database.)

Key to symbols
+++ New Species
+ First time sighted at this site
# Most commonly sighted at this site with %

TOTAL SPECIES SIGHTED: 15

DIVE IMAGES GALLERY

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