COMMENTS & OBSERVATIONS

Today was exploration day at Rose Bay. A slight surface chop created enough surge to make us avoid the shallow areas, particularly the algae covered rocks. Wanting to explore a bit more “ around the corner” we swam out, largely ignoring the substrate until we reached an interesting area on the outside of the reef.

This spot had numerous sea whips and false sea fans, which we searched for Ovulids (we are always on the hunt for elusive critters). Terry managed to find one ovulid. Unfortunately the visibility was very ordinary and even worse the further around the corner we went so we don’ t know where we really were in relation to where we wanted to be! None the less we found a few critters, including tiny gymnodorids and a new one for our list for this region. The water is extremely warm, with definite layers, and a surface temperature of 31 C.

Taxonomic Diversity:
All eleven species sighted were nudibranchs, 10 being dorids comprising 4 x porostomes (suctorial feeders), 2 x phanerobranchs (non-retractile gill), 4 x cryptobranch (retractable gill); and one cladobranch comprising 1 x aeolids, 0 x arminids and 0 x dendronotinids. A total of 19 specimens were sighted. If diet is considered, eight the eleven species were spongivores.

Our Historical data:
– We have now completed 18 survey dives at Rose Bay since our first survey here on 21/11/2022.
– We have now recorded 69 species at this site.
– Our most commonly recorded species at this site are Gymnodoris suggens (previously our sp. 26) (56% of dives), Jorunna funebris (44% of dives), Phyllidia coelestis (44% dives) and, Hypselodoris bullockii (39% of dives)*.
– The most prevalent species we record here are Gymnodoris suggens (2.1/dive), Hypselodoris bullockii (2/dive), Haloa sp. 02 (1.7/dive) and, Hypselodoris emma (1.7/dive).
– This is the first time we have recorded Murphydoris adusta in the Whitsundays and the first time we have recorded Phyllidia ocellata at this site.
– Although the number of organisms recorded per survey fluctuates fairly widely, the number of species recorded per dive at this site seems to be rising steadily.
– Our last survey at this site was on 28/11/2025.

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

TOTAL SPECIES SIGHTED: 11

DIVE IMAGES GALLERY

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