COMMENTS & OBSERVATIONS

Finally we have amazing conditions with flat seas and good visibility. The biggest problem with these conditions is that they are distracting as you can see what is around you, including fish and corals and so many other things!. The hunt was slow but we did end up with a few species although it was surprising that the number of Elysia has dropped off, even though there is still plenty of algae around. Perhaps they don’ t like the chilly water either.

Taxonomic Diversity:
Four of the five species sighted were nudibranchs, three being dorids comprising 0 x porostome (suctorial feeders), 2 x phanerobranchs (non-retractile gill), 1 x cryptobranch (retractable gill); and one cladobranch comprising 1 x aeolids, 0 x arminids and 0 x dendronotinids.. A single Sacoglossan species completed the count.

Our Historical data:
– This excursion brings the number of survey dives to 12 at Horseshoe Bay since our first survey here on 12/06/2018.
– 34 species have been recorded at this site.
– Our most commonly recorded species here are: Gymnodoris citrina (58%), Samla bicolor (42%), Hypselodoris obscura (25%) and Jorunna funebris (25%); 
– The site does not reveal an abundance of heterobranchs on any survey, with the number of species recorded ranging from 2 to 10 on our surveys here (see graph in image gallery below).
– We last surveyed this site on 21/05/2024.

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

TOTAL SPECIES SIGHTED: 5

DIVE IMAGES GALLERY

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