COMMENTS & OBSERVATIONS

The surveys at different sites around Mudjimba Island continue as opportunities are taken with weather windows. Three small yellow spots were observed upon a sponge each with two black spots. Closer observation revealed they were juvenile Aegires gardineri. Species of Verconia continue to feature in the species list with 7 x Verconia norba and a rarely sighted specimen of Verconia verconiforma. All of the phyllidiids were found on the first dive along the southern edge of the reef plateau, while on the second dive along the northern edge none were sighted and a similar situation transpired with the Verconia species.

Taxonomic Diversity:
19 of the 20 species sighted were nudibranchs, with 14 being dorids comprising 1 x phanerobranch (non-retractile gill), 5 x porostome (suctorial feeders – all bar one (Dendrodoris) of the Phyllidiidae family), 8 x cryptobranchs (retractable gill – all belonging to the Chromodorididae family) and 5 x cladobranchs comprising 1 x aeolid, 3 x arminids and 1 x dendronotinid. One Sacoglossa rounds out the species numbers. If diet is considered then 14 of the 20 species sighted are spongivores.

Our Historical Data:
– This excursion brings the number of survey dives to 52 at this site since we commenced fully recording data here on 12/06/2010.
– 167 species have been recorded at this site.
– The most regularly recorded species at this site are: Doriprismatica atromarginata (98%), Goniobranchus splendidus (94%), Thuridilla cf.splendens (94%) and Phyllidiella pustulosa (88%).
– This is the first time we have recorded Verconia verconiforma at this site.
– We have only recorded Diversidoris sp. 01 on one previous occasion at this site.
– The graph indicates a wide fluctuation in the number of organisms recorded at this site over time, with the higher numbers recorded in the summer months. This trend is mirrored in the number of species recorded. (See Image Gallery below) The date of the peak of finds is noted as are the two sightings of Diversidoris sp. 01 graphed in light blue.
– This site last surveyed on 14/12/2022.
(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: 20

DIVE IMAGES GALLERY

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