COMMENTS & OBSERVATIONS

With late high tides, Horseshoe Bay was crowded with nowhere to park so we headed back to Rose Bay. A change of direction was in order today and we headed in a more northerly direction, along the rocks and “ around the corner” . This area is off the main reef and supports a slightly different habitat, with large rocks hosting a variety of corals and sponges, interspersed with small sand patches. We headed back along the eastern side of the reef and found several different species that we had not seen 2 days ago. The Chelidonura pallida was a nice find and although we have been told it is common in this region, this is the first time we have seen it at this site. This is the first time we have recorded Hypselodoris decorata in the Whitsundays. Surprisingly we did not find any Elysia (which are a regular sighting at this reef), and shows how much diversity can vary across a small area.

Taxonomic Diversity:
Seven of the eight sighted species were nudibranchs, with all 7 being dorids comprising 2 x phanerobranchs (non-retractile gill), 2 x porostome (suctorial feeders  of the Phyllidiidae family), 3 x cryptobranch (retractable gill) and 0 x cladobranchs comprising 0 x aeolid, 0 x arminid and 0 x dendronotinids. 1 x cephalspidean (headshield slugs) completes the species count. If diet is considered, 5 of the 8 species sighted were spongivores. A total of 18 specimens were recorded.

Our Historical data:
– We have now completed 11 survey dives at this site since our first survey here on 21/11/2022.
– We have now recorded 47 species at this site.
– Our most commonly recorded species at this site are Gymnodoris sp. 6 (70%), Elysia sp. 31 (60%), Gymnodoris citrina (40%) and Facelina bourailli (30%).
– This is the first occasion on which we have recorded Hypselodoris decorata in the Whitsundays and the first occasion on which we have recorded Chelidonura pallida at this site.
– Our last survey at this site was on 31/12/2024

Guide to Symbols:
+++ New Species
+ First time sighted in Whitsundays
# Most commonly sighted at this site with %

TOTAL SPECIES SIGHTED: 8

DIVE IMAGES GALLERY

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