COMMENTS & OBSERVATIONS

The forecast was for the wind to increase before noon however it was to be westerly in direction so we opted for a short trip (less fetch) to the Inner Gneerings. While it was breezy from the NW when we anchored, that dropped away almost completely until the expected westerly came in during our second dive. Fabulous visibility was enjoyed as we worked one way along the Trench for the first dive and the opposite direction for the second. We searched the opposite side of the Trench to our last survey out there just over a week ago. Two species deserve special mention because of their not-so-common appearance and these are Aegires hapsis and Phyllidiopsis shireenae.

Taxonomic Diversity:
20 of the 24 species sighted were dorids (4/5ths the total) comprising 2 x phanerobranchs, 6 x porostomes (all belonging to Phyllidiidae) and 12 x cryptobranchs (all belonging to Chromodorididae). The other 4 species comprised 0 x aeolids, 1 x dendronotid, 1 x arminid, 1 x pleurobranch and 1 x sacoglossan sea slug. If diet is considered then 20 of the 24 species sighted are spongivores.

Our Historical Data:
– This survey is number 18 at this site since 27/06/2011
– Last surveyed on 10/07/2021
– 103 species have been recorded here
– 5 first-time sightings were recorded for this site on top of the 8 from last week.

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

Total Species Sighted: 24

DIVE IMAGES GALLERY

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