Okenia brunneomaculata from sthn Queensland
June 10, 2009
From: Gary Cobb
Concerning message #15875:
Hi Bill and everyone!
The recent big seas and heavy rain that produced massive amounts of debris in the resulting run-off had prevented us from venturing out across Moreton Bay to the outside reefs. Last Friday and Saturday however gave us our first opportunity in 3 weeks to do so and we examined a very small leeward section of Flinders Reef over a 2 day period.
Close examination of the fronds of an algae plant believed to be Lobophora variegata growing under the overhang of a small bommie revealed what at first appeared to the naked eye to be a tiny white anemone not unlike the ones preyed upon by Baeolidia spp. However, reviewing the magnified photos via the camera playback screen revealed a 5 mm long species of Okenia. Further photos were then taken underwater upon our black slate for contrast and in the perspex bowl for side shots.
Comparing the images with those in various books and the Forum has led us to believe we have found Okenia brunneomaculata, being a new record for Australia. This has been confirmed for us by Richard Willan.
We could not discern any growth on the algae frond that it may have been feeding upon and therefore deduce it must have been in transit.
Locality: Flinders Reef, Moreton Island, 16 m, Queensland, Australia, Pacific Ocean, 06 June 2009, Subtidal. Length: 5 mm. Photographer: David Mullins.
Cheers Gary & David
nudibranch.com.au
gary@nudibranch.com.au
Dear Gary & David,
An interesting find. We have a record from East Timor so one from southeastern Queensland certainly suggests this may be a widespread tropical species - at least in the western Pacific and probably in the Indian Ocean as well.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
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