COMMENTS & OBSERVATIONS

Today we decided to do a bit more exploring and swam straight out to the reef and followed it around to the north along the “outside” edge. This area of reef consists of predominately hard corals with rocks covered in turf algae and an assortment of benthic organisms. We managed to find a few critters but they were very small. Even though we are in the “ tropics” the water is very chilly at the moment which makes it hard to concentrate on small stuff.

Taxonomic Diversity:
Five of the six sighted species were nudibranchs, with 4 being dorids comprising 3 x phanerobranchs (non-retractile gill), 1 x porostome (suctorial feeders  of the Phyllidiidae family), 0 x cryptobranchs (retractable gill) and 1 x cladobranch comprising 1 x aeolid, 0 x arminid and 0 x dendronotinids. A single sacoglossan completed the species count. If diet is considered then only 1 of the 6 species sighted was a spongivore.

Our Historical data:
– We have now completed 6 survey dives since our first survey here on 21/11/2022.
– We have now recorded 27 species at this site.
– This is the fist time we have recorded Cratena simba, Phyllidiella cooraburama or Trapania vitta at this site.
– Elysia sp. 38 is a new recording for Australia.
– Our last survey at this site was on 16/06/2024.

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

TOTAL SPECIES SIGHTED: 6

DIVE IMAGES GALLERY

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