MARINE SPECIES OF CONSERVATION INTEREST
ON NORTHERN KANGAROO ISLAND RESULTS OF 2013 FIELD WORK
Part 1: Marine Invertebrates
J. Baker1, H. Crawford2, L. Baade3, D. Muirhead4, J. Manna5, and R. Velzeboer6
1
Janine L. Baker, Marine Ecologist, President of South Australian Conservation Research Divers (SACReD)
Email: jannebaker@bigpond.com
2
Helen Crawford, Visual Artist, Marine Photographer, member of SACReD and MLSSA
3
Luke Baade, Marine Photographer, member of SACReD
4
Dr David Muirhead, Marine Photographer, member of MLSSA
5
James Manna, Marine Photographer, member of Flinders University Underwater Club; associate member of SACReD
6
Renate Velzeboer, Ecologist, member of SACReD
(c) H. Crawford
Report for:
Kangaroo Island NRM Board Coast and Marine Program, and
S.A. Department for Environment, Water & Natural Resources
February 2015 update of September 2013 report
Dedication
This report is dedicated to marine scientist Mr Danny Brock, formerly of the Coast and Marine Program,
Ka garoo Isla d Natural Resources Ma age e t Board. Da y’s i volve e t i u erous coastal and
marine projects during the past decade has assisted marine research, monitoring and conservation initiatives
on Kangaroo Island.
Acknowledgments
Tha ks to the Australia Go er e t s Cari g for our Cou tr progra , a d to staff of DEWN‘ s Natural
Resources - Kangaroo Island (Kangaroo Island NRM Board) and Natural Resources - Adelaide and Mt Lofty
Ranges (AMLR NRM Board), for providing resources which enabled marine surveys to be undertaken on
northern Kangaroo Island in 2013. Particular thanks go to Mr Danny Brock and Ms Alicia McArdle for their
role in project coordination and management. Thanks also to Mr Kym Lashmar for correspondence about
RLS data.
Thank you to Mr Tony Geyer of Kangaroo Island, for his expertise in boat handling and caring for divers in the
ater. “AC‘eD di ers a d asso iates are ost grateful for To s ti e a d alua le assista e duri g the
2013 field work.
Thanks to the following persons (in alphabetical order), collectively from DEWNR, KI NRM and Kangaroo
Island Friends of the Sea who collected Reef Life Survey (RLS) data during the March and April 2013 field
trips: Danny Brock, James Brook, Dr Simon Bryars, Grant Flanagan, Heiri Klein, Kym Lashmar, Alicia McArdle,
Sarah-Lena Reinhold. Renate Velzeboer from SACReD also collected RLS data during the March field trip.
Thanks to the marine taxonomists and other marine researchers who helped to identify photographs taken
by SACReD divers during the April 2013 Kangaroo Island field trip. These include (in alphabetical order):
Mr Bob Burn, Honorary Associate, Museum Victoria
Dr Andrea Crowther, South Australian Museum
Mr John Chuk, Platyhelminthes and Opisthobranch researcher, associated with Museum of Victoria
Ms Audrey Falconer, Marine Research Group of the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria
Mr Thierry Laperousaz, South Australian Museum
Ms Michela Mitchell, Taxonomic Services Australia
Dr Ti O Hara, Museum Victoria
Dr P. Mark O Loughlin, Associate of Museum Victoria; and
Ms Shirley Sorokin, SARDI Aquatic Sciences, South Australia
Dr David Staples, Museum Victoria
Dr Robin Wilson, Museum Victoria.
The expertise of the aforementioned people has greatly assisted the project, and their time is also much
appreciated. Regarding identification of species photographs from Kangaroo Island, particular thanks go to
John Chuk, Michela Mitchell and Robin Wilson for their regular correspondence, and for sharing their
valuable knowledge of various marine invertebrate phyla in south-eastern Australia.
We are grateful to Dr Andrea Crowther from the South Australian Museum (SAM) for checking the
opisthobranch and nudibranch collection at SAM, which enabled much of the content in Appendix 2 to be
included.
2
MARINE SPECIES OF CONSERVATION INTEREST
ON NORTHERN KANGAROO ISLAND - RESULTS OF 2013 FIELD WORK
Part 1 - Marine Invertebrates
SUMMARY
In 2013, with assistance from the Australian Gover e t s Cari g for our Cou tr progra , a d DEWN‘ s
Natural Resources - Kangaroo Island (Kangaroo Island NRM Board), a joint field work was undertaken by
Ka garoo Isla d Frie d s of the “ea, a N‘M-supported community group which uses a standard marine
monitoring method developed by Reef Life Survey program, to monitor the species composition of reef sites
on Kangaroo Island; and South Australian Conservation Research Divers (SACReD), a community-based
marine group which aims to learn more about the distribution and habitats of rarely recorded, endemic, and
other marine species of conservation interest at sites along the northern coast of Kangaroo Island.
Part of the field work aimed to contribute towards an understanding of the biodiversity of marine
invertebrates in the KI area, so that populations of rare, uncommonly recorded and endemic species may be
better conserved, and protected from threatening processes. The KI field work formed part of a larger,
Statewide marine species research project in which SACReD has been involved since 2011. “AC‘eD s current
searches of invertebrate fauna include taxa in Anthozoa (anemones and corals); Prosobranchia (sea snails);
Opisthobranchs / Heterobranchia (sea slugs / nudibranchs); Platyhelminthes (flatworms); Nemertea (ribbon
worms); Polychaeta (sea worms); Ascidiacea (ascidians / sea squirts), and several other groups.
Between March 2013 and April 2013, 5 SACReD divers collectively spent more than 36 hours diving, at 8
subtidal reef sites and 1 jetty within the KI NRM region, and took more than 2,000 photographs of marine
invertebrates. To date, 10 marine taxonomists and other specialists from around Australia have assisted
“AC‘eD s rare a d e de i ari e i erte rates proje t i KI NRM region, by offering advice, and
identifying macro-photographs of invertebrates taken by SACReD divers. A list of unidentified species has
been prepared for which samples will later be collected and lodged at the South Australian Museum, for
transfer to various taxonomists in south-eastern Australia. Results of the project to date have included
re ords of ta a appare tl ot pre iousl re orded a
here else i.e. e , u des ri ed spe ies ;
undescribed species of tropical affinity (some of which may not have previously been recorded in SA), and
range extensions for rarely recorded species (previously known from only one or two records). Our group s
field investigations, complemented by discussions with marine taxonomists, have helped to improve the
state of knowledge about the distribution and habitat of a number of rarely recorded and endemic marine
invertebrates in South Australia, as well as rarely recorded tropical species, and several undescribed and
previously unrecorded taxa.
To date, targetted searches for marine invertebrate have been concentrated in few areas on Kangaroo
Island, mainly the coves and bays of the northern and north-eastern coast. For many parts of the KI NRM
region, little is known of the rarely recorded and endemic marine invertebrate fauna, other than the area
between Western River Cove and Snug Cove, and parts of the north-eastern bays, where intensive collecting
and photography occurred over several years during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Additionally, collecting
trips to gather opisthobranchs for taxonomic description at museums occurred during the 1970s, and
spe i e shells (various species of valuable gastropod mollusc) have also been collected from sites off
north-eastern Kangaroo Island, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s. A high but currently unquantifiable
number of apparently rare species are likely to be more widespread but have not yet been sampled due to
their small size and/or cryptic habits. Without substantial survey and collecting effort, it is not possible to
determine true rarit o er a spatial s ale, or to produ e relia le s ste ati aps of the ra ge of arious
invertebrate species. It is planned that the next stage of this project will involve searches, macrophotography and specimen collection (for taxonomic identification) at areas within the KI NRM region which
have not previously been searched, including more remote locations, and areas within and outside of the
sanctuary zones of marine protected areas.
3
.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Introduction....................................................................................................................................5
Conservation of Marine Invertebrates in South Australia. ..............................................................5
Characteristics that Determine Vulnerability of Marine Species......................................................6
Methods.........................................................................................................................................8
Results - Species Accounts............................................................................................................11
Anthozoa (Anemones and Corals)........................................................................................................11
Br ozoa s La e Corals a d Moss A i als).......................................................................................14
Platyhelminthes (Flatworms)................................................................................................................15
Polychaeta (Sea Worms).......................................................................................................................16
Tunicata (Sea Squirts / Ascidians).........................................................................................................19
Opisthobranchs / Heterobranchia (Sea Slugs / Nudibranchs)..............................................................21
Prosobranchs (Sea Snails, Gastropod Shells)........................................................................................24
6. Discussion.....................................................................................................................................25
7. Summary of Recommendations..........................................................................................................28
8. References............................................................................................................................................29
4
1. Introduction
In South Australia, the distribution and taxonomic identity of marine invertebrates from numerous phyla are
poorly known, and based on infrequent and opportunistic collections. Some species are known only from the
type locality, and others from a single museum specimen. There has generally been a lack of survey work to
catalogue the marine invertebrate fauna of SA, other than several targeted collections at few localities,
during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Also, in recent decades there has been a lack of staff within SA to work
on the taxonomy of many major groups of invertebrates, particularly the identification of new and currently
undescribed species. Reviews of the current status of marine invertebrates within two NRM regions of
South Australia were undertaken in 2011 (Baker 2011a, b), based on a 4 year literature review of museum
records (State, national and international); taxonomic databases; scientific monographs, papers and other
literature; university and go er e t sur e reports; dis ussio s ith ta o o ists, a d di ers re ords a d
photographs. Those reviews also discussed national efforts to document the conservation status of marine
invertebrates, and the application of threatened species legislation at national and state levels to marine
invertebrate listings. The aforementioned reviews are being used to inform future survey efforts, to
understand more about the marine invertebrate fauna in various coastal regions of South Australia,
particularly marine species of conservation interest.
With support fro the Australia Go er e t s Cari g for our Cou tr progra , a d DEWN‘ s Natural
Resources - Kangaroo Island (Kangaroo Island NRM Board), field work was undertaken by South Australian
Conservation Research Divers (SACReD), to learn more about the distribution and habitats of rarely
recorded, endemic, and other marine species of conservation interest at various sites along the northern
coast of Kangaroo Island. The field work was undertaken during a companion project on reef monitoring, by
Ka garoo Isla d Frie d s of the “ea, a N‘M-supported community group which uses the standard marine
monitoring method developed by Reef Life Survey program. Part of the field work aimed to contribute
towards an understanding of the biodiversity of marine invertebrates in the KI area, so that populations of
rare, uncommonly recorded and endemic species may be better conserved, and protected from threatening
processes. The KI field work formed part of a larger, Statewide marine species research project in which
SACReD has been involved since 2011. “AC‘eD s current searches of invertebrate fauna include rarely
recorded and endemic taxa in Anthozoa (anemones and corals); Prosobranchia (sea snails); Opisthobranchs /
Heterobranchia (sea slugs / nudibranchs); Platyhelminthes (flatworms); Nemertea (ribbon worms);
Polychaeta (sea worms); Ascidiacea (ascidians / sea squirts), Crinoidea (Feather Stars), Holothuroidea (Sea
Cucumbers), Ophiuroidea (Brittlestars), Asteroidea (sea stars), and several other groups. To date, 11 marine
taxonomists and other specialists from south-eastern Australia ha e assisted “AC‘eD s rare a d e de i
ari e i erte rates proje t i the KI NRM region, by offering advice, and identifying macro-photographs of
invertebrates taken by SACReD divers. This report details some of the results so far.
2. Conservation of Marine Invertebrates in South Australia
“outh Australia s No Species Loss nature conservation strategy (DEH 2007) and the Living Coast Strategy
(DEH
oth stated the “outh Australia go er e t s o
it e t to pro idi g prote tio for
threatened marine species, including evaluation processes, and the development of recovery plans. To date,
there has been no formal Statewide evaluation of potentially threatened marine invertebrates in South
Australia, but a number of NRM-supported reports and projects have attempted to document the rare and
potentially threatened marine invertebrate fauna in two NRM regions (Baker 2011a, 2011b, Baker et al. 2013
and 2013b, and this report). The No Species Loss strategy in SA is currently being updated in 2013.
In South Australia, although there is provision for listing threatened species under schedules of the National
Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, invertebrates ha e ot ee listed u der this A t as prote ted a i als ,
be ause a i als are defi ed as mammals, birds and reptiles. Therefore, marine invertebrates in South
Australia cannot be classified as rare, vulnerable or endangered under schedules of the National Parks and
Wildlife Act.
5
In South Australia, marine invertebrates and their habitats can be legally protected in Aquatic Reserves
(declared under the Fisheries Act 1982, now known as the Fisheries Management Act 2007) and marine
parks. The fisheries legislation - section 42 of the former Fisheries Act 1982 - enables various categories of
fish i ludi g i erte rates to e de lared as prote ted , ith olle tio prohi ited. A ts i “outh
Australia which can benefit marine invertebrate conservation indirectly include the Coast Protection Act
1972, the Environment Protection (Marine) Policy 1994, and the Marine Parks Act 2007.
Threatened species legislation at a national scale in Australia is discussed in Baker (2011a). At a global scale,
IUCN s Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN 2001) is widely recognised as a means of assessing and
ategori g the o ser atio status of spe ies. The IUCN ‘ed List o lo ger i ludes a ategor of rare , ut
some species which may qualify as rare due to very small or restricted population (with evidence of
fluctuation or decline), or very restricted geographic range, may instead be listed as critically endangered,
endangered or vulnerable, depending on specific numeric criteria. For example, according to IUCN criteria, if
a species is known from 5 or fewer locations, it may satisfy criteria for listing as vulnerable. Many other
criteria, including those relating to extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are also used to assess status
(see IUCN 1994, 2001; IUCN Standards and Petitions Subcommittee 2011). In threatened species legislation,
the ategor of rare a relate to either: a redu ed area of o upa
and/or extent of occurrence, a
sharp decline in abundance, small population sizes, and/or restricted extent of occurrence or area of
occupancy, with specific criteria for each of those categories. Although not included as an IUCN category, a
spe ies a e o sidered rare a ordi g to geographi ra ge ofte arro , i the ase of rare spe ies ;
narrow habitat range / specificity, and small local population size (Davey 1993). Species which satisfy all
three riteria are i tri si all ul era le to de li e Po der et al.
. Ma spe ies are aturall rare ,
due to low population numbers (local abundances) at any one location across the range, but may not be
considered threatened due to their broad geographical distribution and relatively high overall abundance
Jo es a d Kal 99 . The o ept of rare differs a ordi g to the appli atio , a d a loosely refer to
species that are not commonly recorded in surveys, but may not be truly rare in the biogeographic sense.
Others are more common in the shallow subtidal (e.g. several meters deep), and therefore are unlikely to be
recorded in intertidal surveys, even if present in the area. The reverse is also true (common in the intertidal,
but unlikely to be recorded subtidally).
One of the aims of South Australian Conservation Research Divers is to document the locations, habitats and
potentially threatening processes for marine species in South Australia, not only for species which are rarely
seen, or exist over apparently narrow geographical ranges, but also more commonly occurring fishes and
invertebrates whose populations may be at risk of depletion from threatening processes. It is our hope,
through education towards improved management of impacts, that such species will not need to be included
on threatened species schedules in future.
3. Characteristics that Determine Vulnerability of Marine Species
There are numerous recognised life history and population characteristics that can render marine species
vulnerable to decline. Table 1 below lists many such characteristics, some of which are more common in
bony fishes and sharks, but many also apply to invertebrates. In addition, there are other factors which can
increase the vulnerability of marine invertebrate species to decline. Examples include a readily accessible
habitat (e.g. if collected for food or trade); high visibility to collectors (i.e. large size and/or bright colours and
patterns), and high value (especially specimen shells, or highly valued food species) (Ponder et al. 2002).
Many marine species may qualify as potentially vulnerable due to:
restricted range - particularly apparent endemism within South Australia;
apparent rarity (known from very few records); and
small populations.
Other characteristics, especially those associated with reproduction (mode, fecundity, frequency of
spawning, total reproductive output, and survivorship of larvae and juveniles) are not known for the majority
of these marine invertebrates.
6
Inferences can be made from similar taxa - such as those within the same family, or the same genus - that
exhibit vulnerable population characteristics. For example, in some gastropod molluscs in temperate waters,
brooding of young or otherwise production of young via direct development (rather than having widely
dispersed planktonic larvae), is often also associated with low fecundity and narrow geographic range of
specific breeding populations, and these characteristics renders such molluscs at greater risk of extinction.
Examples include the cowries and the volutes. However, for species with unknown modes of reproduction,
whilst inferences can be made by comparison with what is known of closely related taxa, that is not always
reliable, because there is often much variation, even within genera or within a species (Ponder et al. 2002).
Table 1: Characteristics that render marine species vulnerable to population decline and eventual extinction
(adapted from Jones and Kaly 1995; Roberts and Hawkins 1999 and Ponder et al. 2002, with additions).
Characteristic
Population turnover
Reproduction
Capacity for Recovery
Range & Distribution
(related to rarity)
Trophic Level
Other Ecological
Factors
Commercial & Social
Value
Miscellaneous
Features shared by potentially vulnerable species
1.
Long life span
2.
Slow growth rate
3.
Low natural mortality
4.
Low production biomass
5.
Low reproductive effort
6.
Low fecundity
7.
Highly variable reproductive output / prolonged periods of recruitment failure
8.
Semelparous reproduction (i.e. reproduces once in a lifetime)
9.
Large size at maturity and/or old age at maturity (i.e. long time to maturity)
10. Large difference in size between sexes
11. Sex change (particularly protandry: male stage followed by a female stage)
12. Forms spawning aggregations at predictable locations
13. Live bearing /or direct development of young from benthic eggs (compared with
planktonic eggs)
14. Strong Allee effects at reproduction (i.e. when a reduction in population density has
significant impacts on the ability of the organism to reproduce)
15. Brooding of young
16. Poorly dispersed benthic larvae (compared with widely dispersed planktonic larvae)
17. Regeneration from fragments does not occur
18. Short distance dispersal / limited dispersal ability
19. Poor competitive ability
20. Poor colonizing ability
21. Low adult mobility
22. Irregular recruitment by larval settlement and/or low level of larval settlement
23. Strong Allee effects at settlement (i.e. when reduction in population density has a
significant effect on settlement strength)
24. Horizontal distribution restricted to nearshore area (compared with offshore)
25. Narrow depth range (= narrow vertical distribution)
26. Small geographic range / restricted distribution
27. High patchiness / fragmentation of population within range (i.e. composed of few
small, highly fragmented populations)
28. High habitat specificity / specialisation
29. High vulnerability to habitat destruction by people
30. High trophic level
31. Close association with threatened habitat, or threatened taxa (as parasites or
commensals, food source etc.)
32.
Value as food (promotes exploitation by commercial &/or recreational fishing /
collecting)
33. Value in trade for collections / ornaments etc (promotes exploitation).
34.
High visibility (due to large size, bright colour / patterning, and/or presence in
intertidal habitats
35.
Adults live in aggregations, or form feeding aggregations
36.
Subject to large scale mass mortality events
7
4. Methods
The Kangaroo Island surveys in 2013 were a regional extension of previous work undertaken in coastal
waters in other parts of South Australia, by South Australian Conservation Research Divers (SACReD). For
previous surveys, a preliminary list of target species was made, based on reviews of uncommon marine
invertebrates in adjacent areas of South Australia (e.g. Baker 2011a, 2011b). Prior to the field trips, diver
education included viewing photos of some of the target species, and provision of a written list of some of
the target species. Divers had also previously viewed a slideshow of common and broadly distributed species
which they should not photograph during the field work. Between March 2013 and April 2013, a total of 5
SACReD divers collectively spent more than 36 hours diving, at 8 subtidal reef sites and 1 jetty within the KI
NRM region. A dive log is available from the first author of this report. Sites at which divers searched are
shown in Map 1. Sites are listed in Table 2 below, in order of date, with corresponding depth of dive.
Table 2: Locations within the KI NRM region, where SACReD divers and associates searched for endemic and
uncommonly recorded marine invertebrates during field trips in March and April 2013.
Site name
Date
Latitude
Longitude
Green Cliffs Dive 1
Green Cliffs Dive 2
Stokes Bay West
Ironstone Hill Reef
Easter Co e La ers
‘eef
Ballast Head
American River Muston
American River Pelican Lagoon
Kingscote Jetty
Western River Cove
25/03/13
25/03/13
25/03/2013
25/04/2013
25/04/2013
-35.60117
-35.60117
-35.62192
-35.71954
-35.76838
137.2715
137.2715
137.1879
137.97026
137.86508
Depth
4m
5m
6m
5m
6-7m
26/04/13
26/04/13
-35.75762
-35.80959
137.80498
137.74546
5-7m
3-6m
27/04/13
-35.81736
137.77011
3.5-6m
26/04/13
28/04/13
-35.65575
-35.67367
137.64640
136.9700
3-4m
5-6m
At each site in Table 2, most of the divers searched for between 60 and 90 minutes each per dive, covering
as much suitable habitat as possible during that time, at a given depth. Visual searches for invertebrates
were made on the bottom, under rocks, in crevices, under ledges, on jetty piles and other structures (at jetty
sites), and on (and amongst) macroalgae. Photographs were taken when potential species of interest were
found. Dive conditions were not ideal for macro-photography. At some sites (such as American River), there
as a sig ifi a t urre t ru i g, a d at other sites, su h as Ballast Head a d La ers ‘eef, isi ilit as poor
(Figure 1A, 1B).
Figure 1: Examples of low visibility in the water at two dive sites during the April 2013 survey:
Lavers Reef (A) and Ballast Head (B). Photos (c) H. Crawford.
8
The searches by SACReD divers for rare, endemic and potentially threatened species were complimentary to
core reef monitoring work being undertaken during March and April 2013 by the NRM-supported volunteer
group Kangaroo Island Friends of the Sea (KI FOTS), who use the internationally-recognised Reef Life Survey
(RLS) method, developed at the University of Tasmania. In the RLS method, invertebrates and cryptic fish
are surveyed in two 1m wide bands on either side of a 50m transect line (2 x 1m x 50m per transect). During
the March 2013 field work, a SACReD diver participated in some of the RLS monitoring dives undertaken by
KI FOTS and NRM staff, and also searched for rare invertebrates during those 7 dives (Table 3). The results
of the KI FOTS project have been summarised in a separate report, and will not be reiterated here, because
no rare, endemic or potentially threatened invertebrate species were found using that method.
Table 3: Locations within the KI NRM region, where Friends of the Sea divers and KI NRM staff undertook dives to
collect Reef Life Survey data in March and April 2013. Sites at which a SACReD diver searched for uncommonly
recorded and endemic marine invertebrates during transect dives are highlighted in grey.
Site name
Green Cliffs
Green Cliffs
Green Cliffs
Green Cliffs
Green Cliffs
Green Cliffs
Muston
Muston
Muston
Muston
Muston
Western River Cove
Western River Cove
Western River Cove
Stokes Bay West
Stokes Bay West
Stokes Bay West
Stokes Bay West
Lavers Reef
Lavers Reef
Lavers Reef
Lavers Reef
Snellings Beach
Snellings Beach
Snellings Beach
Snellings Beach
White Point
White Point
White Point
Kangaroo Head
Kangaroo Head
Kangaroo Head
Fre h a s
Fre h a s
Fre h a s
Fre h a s
Ironstone Hill Reef
Ironstone Hill Reef
Ironstone Hill Reef
Ironstone Hill Reef
Date
25/03/2013
25/03/2013
25/03/2013
25/03/2013
25/03/2013
25/03/2013
22/03/2013
22/03/2013
22/03/2013
22/03/2013
14/03/2013
23/03/2013
23/03/2013
23/03/2013
25/03/2013
25/03/2013
25/03/2013
25/03/2013
22/03/2013
22/03/2013
22/03/2013
22/03/2013
17/04/2013
17/04/2013
17/04/2013
17/04/2013
23/04/2013
23/04/2013
23/04/2013
24/04/2013
24/04/2013
24/04/2013
24/04/2013
24/04/2013
05/03/2013
05/03/2013
25/04/2013
25/04/2013
25/04/2013
25/04/2013
Latitude
-35.60117
-35.60117
-35.60117
-35.60117
-35.60117
-35.60117
-35.80959
-35.80959
-35.80959
-35.80959
-35.80959
-35.67367
-35.67367
-35.67367
-35.62192
-35.62192
-35.62192
-35.62192
-35.76838
-35.76838
-35.76838
-35.76838
-35.66249
-35.66249
-35.66249
-35.66249
-35.56586
-35.56586
-35.56586
-35.71720
-35.71720
-35.71720
-35.72204
-35.72204
-35.72204
-35.72204
-35.71954
-35.71954
-35.71954
-35.71954
Longitude
137.2715
137.2715
137.2715
137.2715
137.2715
137.2715
137.7455
137.7455
137.7455
137.7455
137.7455
136.9700
136.9700
136.9700
137.1879
137.1879
137.1879
137.1879
137.8651
137.8651
137.8651
137.8651
137.0744
137.0744
137.0744
137.0744
137.5915
137.5915
137.5915
137.9047
137.9047
137.9047
137.7108
137.7108
137.7108
137.7108
137.9703
137.9703
137.9703
137.9703
9
Depth
5.5
4.1
7.2
4
5
6
4
6
4.1
4.2
7
6.2
5.8
6
5.5
5.3
7.5
6
4.7
5.3
5.4
7
6.3
5.2
5.9
5.4
6.7
4.8
4.2
6
5.5
5
5.9
6
4.8
4.5
5.4
5.1
5.5
5.2
Direction
W
E
E
W
W
W
N
E
E
N
N
E
E
E
E
E
E
W
NE
E
W
E
W
W
E
E
NE
NE
NE
W
W
E
SE
SE
SW
SW
E
E
W
W
Visibility
8
8
8
8
8
7
6
8
6
6
7.5
5
5
4
6
6
5
6
6
8
8
7
16
16
16
16
5
5
5
5
5
5
8
8
8
8
5
5
5
5
Several invertebrate samples (of platyhelminthes, polychaetes and nemerteans) were collected from sites
below 2m deep during the April field trip and preserved for identification at a later date. Over all sites dived
in March and April 2013 at Kangaroo Island, SACReD divers took more than 2,000 photographs of
invertebrates. Photos were sorted, labelled and catalogued, and divided into phyletic groups. Animals in
photographs were identified to species level where possible. Specialists in the taxonomy of each phylum
were contacted during the course of this project, and photos were sent for identification, confirmation of
initial identification, or correction where needed.
N
Map 1: Reef sites along northern and north-eastern Kangaroo Island, in which SACReD members searched for and/or
recorded marine invertebrate species of interest, during March and April 2013. Map (c) Google Earth.
10
5. Results
Anthozoa (Anemones and Corals)
The Class Anthozoa includes the sea anemones and stinging sea anemones, tube anemones, jewel
anemones, zoanthid anemones, soft corals, gorgonian corals, hard corals, and sea pens. Members of the
Class Anthozoa occur as polyps or colonies of polyps, most of which can reproduce either sexually (by
releasing sperm and eggs into the water, which fuse to become a mobile larva which disperses), or asexually,
by budding off tiny new individuals from the body wall (Edgar 2008; Gowlett-Holmes 2008). The taxonomy of
anthozoans in south-eastern and southern Australia is poorly known. Much of the previous anthozoan
identification work was based largely on museum specimens, which bear little resemblance to live
specimens. A number of named species may really be the same species, and conversely, a single named
species may contain several species that have not yet been correctly identified. Field guides have been
known to depict the same species under different names, or use the same name for different species. In
some cases, species attributed to a particular genus (e.g. Epiactis) might actually not belong to a single
genus, but have been assigned to it because they seem to belong nowhere else (D. Fautin, Professor of
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Curator of Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Centre,
University of Kansas, pers. comm. 2009).
Esta lishi g a Australia spe ies i e tor , a d also deter i i g spe ies distri utio s, a d the relatio ship
(and overlap) between species of anemone in Australia, New Zealand and other regions, would involve
measuring nematocysts of animals from these regions, and comparing morphology and histology. Some
species known from one locality are likely to occur much more widely, but records are scarce, because
collecting efforts have been opportunistic over the decades, and not systematic. The existence of cryptic
species further complicates determination of distribution. The less commonly recorded species of anemone
are difficult to identify from photographs, and some remain undescribed. Identification beyond family is a
specialist undertaking that requires, in many instances, information about the nematocysts or fertility (D.
Fautin, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, pers. comm. 2011). Much work
remains to be done, and the taxonomy of anemones is still poorly known (D. Fautin, University of Kansas,
pers. comm. 2009, 2011). The taxonomy of a number of anemones in eastern and southern Australia is
currently being revised (M. Mitchell, pers. comm. 2012), and will contribute to an improved knowledge of
the diversity of this groups in southern Australian waters.
A number of undescribed anemones have been recorded in the KI NRM region by SACReD divers and
associates, including two species which may not have been previously recorded, and cannot be identified
without examination of internal structures (e.g. nematocysts).
Figure 2A shows a small pink anemone with swollen tentacle tips, photographed at Pelican Lagoon. This
species likely belongs to the tropical genus Telmatactis (M. Mitchell, pers. comm. 2013), in the Isophelliidae
family. To date, there are six species in Telmatactis known in Australia, all recorded from Queensland (Scott
2014). The undescribed species from South Australia has also been recorded in the gulfs area of SA (e.g.
Gowlett-Holmes 2008). A second unnamed species, for which family is uncertain, was recorded at Kingscote
during a night dive (Figure 2B). This anemone might belong in the Aiptasiidae (A. Crowther, South Australian
Museum, pers. comm. 2013; M. Mitchell, pers. comm. 2014), another anemone family for which there is
little published information in Australia, and few records. The photographed example had a bright green
column. The green colouring of the column may be indicative of the presence of zooxanthellae or
zoochlorellae algae. Anemones which contain these symbiotic algae have photosynthetic properties, and
may thus make their own food as well as consuming particles. Specimens are required for taxonomic
examination. A long-tentacled anemone, embedded in sponge, was also recorded at Kingscote during a night
dive (Figure 2C), and this may also be in the Aiptasiidae. The taxonomic affinity of this anemone cannot be
determined without examination of the nematocysts of the column (A. Crowther pers. comm., 2013).
11
A
B
C
D
E
F
Figure 2: Undescribed species in genus Telmatactis (A); unidentified species, possibly in the Aiptasiidae family (B);
unidentified species, possibly in stinging anemone family Aliciidae, or Boloceroididae, genus Bunodeopsis (C, and
inset); possibly undescribed species in Actiniidae (M. Mitchell, pers. comm. 2013) (D); Edwardsia vivipara, a livebearing burrowing anemone (E); species in Epiactis, related to E. australiensis and E. tho so i (F).
Photos: © L. Baade (A, F); H. Crawford (B, C, D); D. Muirhead (E).
12
Another possibly undescribed anemone species was recorded on reef at Ironstone Hill (Figure 2D). This small
species, with an orange column and short orange tentacles, may be in the Actiniidae family (M. Mitchell,
associate of Museum Victoria, pers. comm. 2013).
One family for which there is one named species and several unnamed species in South Australia is the
Edwardsiidae, a group of burrowing anemones which live in sand, attached in the sand to a rock, pebble or
shell fragment (Gowlett-Holmes 2008). The named species in South Australia, and the one most commonly
recorded, is Edwardsia vivipara Carlgren 1950 (Figure 2E), a live-bearing anemone known from both SA
(including KI NRM region) and Victoria (Thomas and Shepherd 1982; McKinnon et al. 2003). It grows to about
6cm, and is found in sand and mud, out in the open, mainly on sheltered coasts, between 1m and 10m
(Gowlett-Holmes 2008). Edwardsia vivipara has a brown or black column, and white star-shaped tentacles
which protrude from the sand and are quickly withdrawn upon disturbance (Thomas and Shepherd 1982).
This species may contain symbiotic zooxanthellae algae (Gowlett-Holmes 2008), which would enable the
anemone to produce its own food photosynthetically, in addition to taking in food.
Another example of an undescribed anemone species is the bright orange-red anemone with tentacles
which have a central stripe (Figure 2F), which was recorded by SACReD divers at Ironstone Hill on KI, and has
also been found at several locations on Yorke Peninsula (Baker et al 2013), and in other parts of SA and
south-easter Australia. A spe i e olle ted u der per it duri g “AC‘eD s January 2013 field trip to
western Yorke Peninsula is currently being examined by an associate of Museum Victoria, to determine its
taxonomic identity. The red anemone may be a colour variation of Epiactis australiensis, a probable brooding
species that is widespread in SE Australia, and may possibly be the same species as what is currently known
as Epiactis thomsoni, a red (or sometimes red and white striped) species which occurs in New Zealand as
well as south-eastern Australia. However, there may be several species in the Epiactis complex, including
unnamed ones. Taxonomic work is required on the colour variations across the range, to determine how
many species there are, and therefore live specimens to match with the photos of colour variants from
different locations are very important (M. Mitchell, Museum Victoria, pers. comm. 2012).
There are several hard corals that occur in the Kangaroo Island region. Two of the hard coral species in South
Australia, Scolymia australis (Milne Edwards and Haime 1849) and Plesiastrea versipora (Lamarck 1816)
which are widespread and not uncommon, are discussed here due to the vulnerability of populations to
decline, particularly over the long term.
Scolymia australis (Figure 3A) is mainly solitary in form, found on tropical and temperate Australian reefs
from about the intertidal to about 20m deep. It is bright green, and contains symbiotic zooxanthellae algae,
from which it derives nutrition. This species also feeds nocturnally on plankton, by extending it polyps.
Plesiastrea versipora is a olo ial oral that for s plates a d o
ie shapes i te perate aters, ut is
also widespread in the tropical to warm temperate Indo-Pacific, where it can form reefs. Like Scolymia, it
contains symbiotic zooxanthellae algae, from which it derives nutrition, but also feeds on plankton.
Plesiastrea can form colonies from a few centimetres up to about 3m across (Edgar 2008).
The two corals discussed above are widespread and not uncommon, and are not considered to be currently
threatened on a global scale (e.g. DeVantier et al. 2008; Sheppard et al. 2008; Turak et al. 2008). However,
there may be localised threats for particular populations of shallow water species, such as sedimentation of
nearshore reefs; nutrient enrichment of coastal waters (e.g. from dredging, coastal developments or
discharges), and physical damage from trawling and/or dredging. The undeveloped coastline of northern
Kangaroo Island (compared with eastern Gulf St Vincent, for example) provides a refuge for these species
from threats such as water pollution.
13
Hard corals such as Plesiastrea versipora (Figure 3B) are very slow growing in temperate areas, with rates of
less than 1cm per year (Burgess et al. 2009). For example, the base of a 24 cm Plesiastrea core that has been
analysed from Spencer Gulf was dated at 151 years (Burgess et al. 2004). Burgess et al. (2009) studied 6
colonies of Plesiastrea in the South Australian gulfs, and coral age estimates ranged from 90 to 320 years
(from counting density bands in X-radiographs), or from 105 to 381 years (using a mass spectrometer). Large,
old colonies of Plesiastrea in South Australia are rare, and it is considered likely that such colonies below
10m deep have been removed in the gulfs region by trawling (which has occurred since the 1960s).
Plesiastrea versipora is one of the species for which records of sightings are being collected in South
Australia as part of the Feral and in Peril program (Conservation SA 2005). Temperate corals, including those
in South Australia, may be threatened during this century by global warming, with examples of damaging
processes including sea level rise, increased temperature and UV exposure, increased disease susceptibility,
increased severity of El Nino–Southern Oscillation events and storms, and increasing ocean acidification
(Wilkinson 2004; Carpenter et al. 2008; DeVantier et al. 2008, in: International Union for Conservation of
Nature - IUCN 2012).
A
B
Figure 3A,B: Scolymia australis (A); Plesiastrea versipora (B). Photos: © L. Baade (A), D. Muirhead (B)
Bryozoa s Lace Corals a d Moss A i als
Bryozoans are small, colonial animals (zooids) which live in an exoskeleton produced by the colony. The
exoskeleton is mineralised in some groups of bryozoans. Some bryozoans form flat, perforated, or encrusting
colonies which look like stony corals. Others form fan-shaped colonies on stalks, and some have erect
colonies with many stems and branches, which are often mistaken for seaweeds. Zooids within bryozoan
olo ies are tightl pa ked, ut ea h has it o
ell to li e i . Br ozoa s are filter-feeders, and there are
specialised zooids in some colonies, some used in defence, and others as hatcheries for fertilised eggs. There
are hundreds of bryozoan species in SA, and most are difficult to identify without microscopic examination.
Some bryozoans are quite large, such as the 30cm high Adeona grisea, which lives deep on the floor of
Backstairs Passage. An unidentified species in the dome-shaped Lunulites genus occurs in Investigator Strait
sediments off northern and north-eastern Kangaroo Island (Shepherd and Sprigg 1976); it is supported,
cleaned and sometimes propelled along by specially adapted colony members. Broken bryozoan
exoskeletons form a significant component of sand in South Australia.
The stalked species Parmularia smeatoni (Figure 4A) was recorded at Ironstone Hill during the April 2013
field work. This bryozoan is usually found attached to pebbles, or rock in sand (Gowlett-Holmes 2008), in
seagrass beds, or in mixed reef patch and seagrass habitats. An unusual feature of this species is its ability to
deflate its supporting stalk when it is disturbed, and collapse the colony disc on to the sea floor (GowlettHolmes 2008). To date, this species has only been found in South Australia (ABRS 2010).
14
The second of several uncommonly recorded bryozoan species photographed during the April 2013 field
work was a species in the genus Nevianipora (Figure 4B). In Australia, the few named species in this genus
are largely tropical (ABRS 2010; CSIRO 2013). There is at least one unnamed species in Nevianipora in South
Australia (e.g. Gowlett-Holmes 2008, p. 59). Species in the genus form hard, flattened colonies with
numerous irregular branches (Bock 1982). The species identify and full distribution of the Nevianipora
bryozoan recorded at Ironstone Hill has not been determined.
A
B
Figure 4A,B: Parmularia smeatoni (A); Nevianipora sp. (B). Photos: © D. Muirhead (A); H. Crawford (B)
Platyhelminthes (Flatworms)
Flatworms comprise a large group of animals with soft, flattened bodies. They have no blood vessels or
respiratory organs, and oxygen and metabolic waste diffuse into and out of cells directly (Newman and
Cannon 2003). Therefore, most flatworms are necessarily flat to facilitate gas exchange. Flatworms are
hermaphrodites, with both sexes in the one body. Some species reproduce young directly from capsules;
others produce eggs that hatch into tiny larvae that join the plankton. Many species can also reproduce by
fragmentation. Globally, there are thousands of flatworm species, and the best known are brightly coloured
and patterned, and sometimes mistaken for nudibranchs. The flatworm fauna of southern Australia is poorly
known, with numerous undescribed species (Gowlett-Holmes 2008). In recent years, the Marine Research
Group (MRG) of the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria has been collecting specimens for later identification by
museum taxonomists, and many undescribed species have been collected and photographed from the
intertidal (e.g. Falconer and Altoff 2012). In South Australia, SACReD divers and associates have recorded a
number of uncommonly seen and undescribed species during invertebrate searches over the past couple of
years (e.g. Baker et al. 2013a, 2013b).
One example of an undescribed flatworm is shown below in Figure 5A and B, a white flatworm from Pelican
Lagoon, photographed in strong current during the recent Kangaroo Island field trip in April 2013. This
undescribed species, likely in the genus Thysanozoon, may be the same as one which has been recorded
occasionally in Victoria (J. Chuk, pers. comm. 2013). There are various unnamed Thysanozoon species in
southern Australia. Identification of visually similar flatworm species in Thysanozoon is a specialist task,
requiring examination of reproductive pores on the ventral side and/or serial sectioning of the reproductive
structures (M. Litvaitis, University of New Hampshire, pers. comm. 2011).
Also of interest is a black flatworm photographed at Baudin Beach (Eastern Cove) by SACReD associate P.
Mercurio in 2010 (Figure 6). This species is likely to be in the Euryleptidae (J. Chuk, per. comm. 2013), but it
may not have been previously recorded in South Australia, and resembles in appearance a number of
tropical species with head tentacles, in the genera Eurylepta or Pseudoceros.
15
A
B
Figure 5A and B: Undescribed species in Thysanozoon.
Photo © H. Crawford. Identification by J. Chuk.
Figure 6: Possibly undescribed species in Euryleptidae.
Photo © P. Mercurio. Identification by J. Chuk.
Polychaeta - Sea Worms
Polychaete worms are segmented, muscular invertebrates which have a distinct head (with sensory and/or
feeding appendages), body a d tail regio . Pol haetes usuall ha e parapodia feet
ith ristles o ea h
segment. Seas worms are found in all marine environments. Of interest are the reef-dwelling polychaetes,
which have an important role in the breakdown of organic matter in the substrate, and also in the shredding
of plant material, making it more available to other consumers (Australian Museum 2012). There are more
than 80 families of polychaete worms, and over 14,000 named species worldwide (Read and Fauchald 2013).
For a number of polychaete families, there have been no comprehensive studies of the species in Australian
waters (R. Wilson, Museum Victoria, pers. comm. 2012). One example is the Lumbrineridae (thread worms),
for which the literature is not helpful in determining the diversity and distribution of Australian species. An
example recorded by SACReD diver L. Baade at Ballast Head on northern KI is shown in Figure 7A.
A
B
16
C
D
E
F
Figure 7: Unidentified species in family Lumbrineridae (A); an unidentified species in Dorvilleidae, which may be a
colour variant of the widespread Dorvillea australiensis, or an unnamed species (B, C); unidentified commensal
species in Polynoidae (D); unidentified species in genus Eunice (E); unidentified species in Terebellidae (F).
Photos: © L. Baade (A, F); © H. Crawford (B, C, E); © D. Muirhead (D).
17
G
H
Figure 7 (cont): Unidentified species in Terebellidae (G, H). Photos: © L. Baade (G); © D. Muirhead (H).
According to most recent listing in the Australian faunal directory (last updated in 2003 for the
Lumbrineridae), there are about 11 named species in Australia, and only two of those had been recorded in
South Australia at that time. In little known families such as the Lumbrineridae, the descriptions for most
species which are documented in Australia were published earlier during the 20th century when it was
thought that polychaetes mainly had cosmopolitan distributions, yet when such species have been reexamined, it is often found that a suite of narrower-ra ge spe ies had pre iousl ee lu ped u der a
single name (R. Wilson, Museum Victoria, pers. comm. 2012). For species in such families, much taxonomic
work has yet to be done, including detailed comparison of named species in Australia and overseas, and
matching of undescribed species with those named species (using preserved specimens, live material and
macro-photographs).
Another polychaete family for which there are few named species in South Australia is the Dorvilleidae. The
Australian Faunal Directory listing for Dorvilleidae (last updated in 2011 by P. Hutchings and M. Yerman)
reported 14 named species in Australia, with 3 of these species recorded to date in South Australia. Worms
in Dorvilleidae range in size from minute to at around 10cm long. Dorvilleid worms may be free living (these
are often carnivorous), symbiotic or parasitic, and the latter often live inside various parts of decapod
crustaceans (Wilson et al. 2003). There are various records of unidentified species in this family from
locations in Gulf St Vincent (e.g. Loo 2001, Tanner et al. 2003) and in the Great Australian Bight (Currie et al.
2007). One named species which occurs in South Australia is the reef-dwelling worm Dorvillea australianesis,
which is found under rocks on reefs, to at least 12m deep (Gowlett-Holmes 2008). Two other named species,
Schistomeringos loveni (Kinberg 1865) and S. paraloveni Hartmann-Schröder 1985, have been reported from
the South Australian gulfs, and the first of these also has a very broad distribution in Australia. Figure 7B and
C depicts a worm from Ballast Head on Kangaroo Island, which may be an unusual colour variation of D.
australiensis, or a closely related unnamed species.
One of the species-rich polychaete families in Australia is the scaleworms, Polynoidae, with more than 30
genera and at least 70 named species in Australia (Australian Faunal Directory 2013). There are more than
two dozen unnamed species awaiting description. Polynoids have flattened bodies, with paired, overlapping
scales on the surface. One unusual species which superficially resembles those in Lepidonotus but is likely to
belong to another genus (R. Wilson, Museum Victoria, pers. comm. 2013), is shown in Figure 7D. This
species may live in the in the tube of the terebellid worm with which it is seen in the photograph.
Mutually beneficial (symbiotic and commensal) relationships are known between scaleworms and various
other marine invertebrates (e.g. Martin and Britayev 1998), including relationships with other families of
polychaete worms. Such relationships have rarely been documented in Australia (R. Wilson, Museum
Victoria, pers. comm. 2013).
18
The Eunicidae (rock worms and blood worms) is another family of polychaetes for which there are numerous
undescribed species in southern Australia, in addition to the ~ 36 named species (Hutchings and Yerman
2011). An example of an unidentified species in genus Eunice is shown in Figure 7E, photographed at Ballast
Head on KI.
Also recorded during the Kangaroo Island field trip were several undescribed species in the Terebellidae, a
large family of spaghetti worms. Terebellidae is one of several families of polychaete worms which build
tubes in mud, sand or on reef surfaces. Terebellids have thin, papery tubes coated in sand, mud, shell debris
and/or small stones (Gowlett-Holmes 2008). These worms are soft-bodied, and feed on organic particles
which are caught by the numerous long tentacles near the mouth. There are currently over 100 named
terebellid worms in Australia, plus various undescribed species (Baker 2013). About 40 of the described
species are known to occur in SA. There are several unnamed reef terebellids in SA, and some are known to
date from only a few locations, due to lack of targeted searches. Detailed examination of specimens is
usually required for identification, and terebellid species are difficult to identify (R. Wilson, Museum Victoria,
pers. comm. 2013). A very widely distributed terebellid in Australia, known as Eupolymnia koorangia, may be
a group of related species. Terebellid specimens resembling E. koorangia were recorded at several locations
during the Kangaroo Island field trip, including a mottled worm which resembled a terebellid out of its case.
That species had no buccal tentacles, or dendritic gills, and cannot even be placed to family level, based on
an image alone (R. Wilson, Museum Victoria, pers. comm. 2013). Several spaghetti worms, unidentifiable at
this stage, were also recorded during the April 2013 field work (Figure 7F, 7G, 7H). The distribution of these
unidentified (and possibly undescribed) terebellids is very difficult to determine, because there have been no
systematic efforts to collect or describe reef terebellids in South Australia. The Terebellidae is now being
split by taxonomists into several families (R. Wilson, Museum Victoria, pers. comm. 2013), and thus the
current taxonomic assignments of numerous species in southern Australia are likely to change.
Tunicata (Sea Squirts / Ascidians)
This large group of sessile animals all have a characteristic outer coat of a cellulose-like substance called
tunicin (Gowlett-Holmes 2008). There are two main groups of ascidians, the solitary ascidians (which often
have visible siphons through which water can be squirted), and the colonial ascidians. The latter group
includes some forms in which colony members are only joined at the base, and other forms which comprise
many small colony members (zooids) embedded in a matrix. Many colonial ascidians resemble sponges in
appearance. The ascidian fauna of South Australia is quite well documented, due to the taxonomic research
of the late P. Kott over several decades, and the sporadic collecting efforts of several marine biologists in SA
from the 1970s to 1990s, including K. Gowlett-Holmes and S. Shepherd. Of at least 220 ascidian species that
occur in SA, about a quarter of these have been recorded from very few areas, some known only from the
type locality, and currently considered to be endemic. Distributions are inadequately known, because
previous collecting efforts have been concentrated in few areas, mainly Kangaroo Island, small offshore
islands, and several jetties. During the past year, the known geographic range of several species has been
expanded due to photographic records from SACReD divers in the SA gulfs region.
19
A
B
C
D
E
F
Figure 8: Euherdmania translucida (A, ringed); unidentified compound ascidian, possibly Polysyncraton montanum (B);
Stomozoa australiensis (C); unidentified compound ascidians in Didemnidae (D, E, F).
Photos: © D. Muirhead (A, B, D); © H. Crawford (C, E, F).
Species identification of compound ascidians is a difficult and specialised task, and has traditionally required
dissection of samples and examination of reproductive structures and/or other parts of the anatomy, such as
zooids, brood pouch (if present), branchial sac, stomach and spicules. The papers by Kott (see Bibliography
below) have described most of the southern Australian species. Rarely can ascidians be accurately identified
from photographs, and therefore the species identifications for colonial ascidians in Figure 8 are preliminary,
pending later examination of identical specimens by a taxonomist expert.
20
Example of species for which the currently known geographic range is narrow (i.e. possibly endemic within
South Australia) include:
Euherdmania translucida, a delicate solitary ascidian with a spotted, transparent test (body) (Figure 8A);
Polysyncraton montanum (Figure 8B), a colonial ascidian which occurs on shaded reef, and is known to
date only from South Australia (Kott 2010), in very few locations;
A colonial species, possibly in Polysyncraton (Figure 8D). Several of the species in this genus are known
to date only from South Australia, and there are very few records.
The colonial species Stomozoa australiensis, known to date only from South Australia (Kott 2010)
(Figure 8C);
Various unidentified species in the family Didemnidae (Figures 8E, F). An example from Ironstone Hill is
shown in Figure 8F, which may be the rarely recorded species Diplosoma fecundum, known to date only
from South Australia. Also recorded, from Lavers Reef in Eastern Cove, was an unusually shaped,
apparently dislodged colony of an unidentified didemnid ascidian, probably an uncommonly recorded
species in genus Leptoclinides (Figure 8E).
Opisthobranchs / Heterobranchia: Sea Slugs
Opistho ra hs are sea slug gastropods ith rear ard gills. The sea slug fauna in South Australia is much
less known than are the gastropod shells. Most members of this large group lack a shell, or have a reduced
internal shell. Some have a fragile external shell. The shell-less nudibranchs are often brightly coloured and
patterned, and have evolved bizarre body shapes. In most sea slugs, the head bears two pairs of sensory
tentacles: a pair of tactile oral tentacles, and in nudibranchs, there is also a dorsal pair of rhinophores
(chemo-sensory organs), which may be ornamented to increase their surface area (Burn 1989).
Opisthobranchs are hermaphrodites, and can function as male and female at the same time. Eggs are usually
laid in a gelatinous mass. Most species have planktonic larvae, but some hatch as crawling miniatures which
resemble the adults (Gowlett-Holmes 2008).
Many sea slugs have a specialised diet, and their distribution thus reflects the presence of their preferred
food type, such as sponges or bryozoans (Debelius and Kuiter 2007). Some of the larger sea slugs are
predatory, feeding on polychaete worms, colonial ascidians, or even on other sea slugs. Some are seasonal in
occurrence, and others may be locally abundant in some years, and absent from the same area in other
years. The identity and distribution are uncertain, for a number of small, undescribed opisthobranchs found
uncommonly in SA.
One group of opisthobranchs with several members in South Australian waters is the Aglajidae (head shield
slugs). These species are usually found in sand, near reefs or seagrass beds, mainly on sheltered coasts. The
broad head shield in these slugs is used to plow beneath the surface of sand, and prevents sand entering the
mantle cavity. Some species have fleshy, wing-like parapodia on the sides of the body. Head shield slugs
have well-developed sensory structures, used to detect prey.
An example in Aglajidae is the large head shield slug Philinopsis troubridgensis (Figure 9A), which grows to
more than 10cm, and has been recorded over a narrow range, in South Australia, and also in the Great
Australian Bight in WA (Wells and Bryce 2000). There are recent photographic records from as far west as
Fremantle in WA. The taxonomy of southern Australian species of Philinopsis is confused, and a number of
separately named species may be forms of the same species. For example, a tropical and subtropical species
in Philinopsis has also been recorded in SA, which closely resembles the Indo-Pacific P. cyanea. That species
may be the same as P. speciosa Pease 1860 (see Rudman 2006) and Philinopsis taronga (Allan 1933), both of
which have been recorded as far south as Victoria, and have appeared more frequently during the past
decade (J. Chuk, pers. comm. 2012). Records of Philinopsis cyanea / speciosa from South Australia are
lacking, although it has previously been assumed that this species could extend into SA waters, by way of the
Leeuwin current (Rudman 2006), and P. taronga has reportedly been recorded here (Rudman 2007).
21
It is also possible that the large Philinopsis troubridgensis is a form of P. cyanea / P. speciosa (see Rudman
2003). Due to its sand-dwelling habit, P. troubridgensis has been recorded at few locations in South
Australia, and is known mostly from Edithburgh on Yorke Peninsula; Port Lincoln area in Spencer Gulf
(Rudman 2001, 2003; “CUBA di ers re ords; OZCAM records), and metropolitan reefs and beaches in Gulf St
Vincent (photographs by D. Muirhead; photographs by C. Rapson 2013). The example shown below was
recorded in the Muston area of American River on KI during the April 2013 field work. In Norway, the
taxonomy of the Philinopsis group is being revised using both anatomical and molecular studies (J. Chuk,
pers. comm. 2012), and that project may also shed light on the identity of the eastern and southern
Australian fauna.
A
B
Figure 9: Philinopsis troubridgensis, uncommonly recorded in SA and WA, and possibly a form of a related species in
the genus Philinopsis (A). Philinopsis lineolata, a tropical species which is rarely recorded in SA.
(B). Photos: © L. Baade.
A widespread tropical Indo-Pacific species of head shield slug which has rarely been recorded in South
Australia and Western Australia is Philinopsis lineolata. One example from the April field trip to Kangaroo
Island is shown in Figure 9B. P. lineolata is found in sand on reefs, and feeds on polychaete worms (GowlettHolmes 2008). The individual shown above was recorded on shallow subtidal sand in Pelican Lagoon on KI, in
the vicinity of sponges and turfing brown and red macroalgae. The recent sighting during the April 2013 field
work is one of the very few records of this species from South Australia, other than a preserved specimen
taken from a wharf at Port Lincoln in 1985 (Australian Museum record C.145121); another from sediments at
Port Pirie in 1980 (Hutchins et al. 1993); and a sighting by J. Baker in Sturt Bay 2012 (specimen photographed
by H. Crawford, SACReD). Two of the locations where this species has been recorded are ports, but it is not
known if this species was introduced to South Australia by shipping. The rarity of records may relate to the
sand-dwelling habitat of P. lineolata, and the lack of targetted searches.
Within the Order Nudibranchia, there are various undescribed species which are known from very few
records. “o e of these are i the Dorididae a d Dis odorididae fa ilies the dorid udi ra hs . Most
dorids live on and feed on sponges, and are often very well camouflaged on their host sponge. Dorids lay
brightly coloured rings of small eggs on sponges. One example of an uncommonly recorded species is the
undescribed dorid shown Figure 10A and B, which has both yellow and orange forms. This species has not
yet been described, and its taxonomic identity and relation to other dorid nudibranchs is uncertain (J. Chuk,
pers. comm. 2013). The examples were found on reef at Ironstone Hill during the current survey, in April
2013. To date, there are no known records of this dorid, with in the orange or yellow form, outside of South
Australia (B. Burn, unpubl. data; J. Chuk, pers. comm. 2013).
22
A
B
Figure 10: Undescribed dorid nudibranch, in orange and yellow forms (J. Chuk, pers. comm. 2013).
Photos: © L. Baade (A); H. Crawford (B).
There are numerous small nudibranchs in the Aeolidina order, many of which are rarely recorded in SA.
Members of the group are typically 1 to 4cm long (depending on the species), with a tapering body and
elongate cerata (outgrowth of the mantles) on the dorsal side. Many species in the group feed on cnidarians
such as sea anemones, hydroids and soft corals, and use the stinging cells of their prey for their own
protection (Gowlett-Holmes 2008). The rising popularity of macro-photography amongst the SCUBA diving
community has resulted in new records of aeolid species in the genera Facelina, Flabellina and Trinchesia in
recent years, and extensions of known range. One example of a rarely recorded aeolid nudibranch is the
unnamed Facelina sp. 3 (in Burn 2006), known from Victoria and SA. This species was first seen in SA and
Victoria during the late 1990s (J. Chuk, pers. comm. 2013). As at 2013, records were known from northern
Kangaroo Island (photographed by SACReD associate K. Smith at Muston in American River, in 2008: Figure
11), one from Edithburgh in 1998 (recorded by J. Chuk): one from Carrickalinga (photographed by SACReD
associate P. Mercurio in 2011); one from Rapid Bay in GSV (photographed by A. Sutandio in 2013), and one
from Island Point on Yorke Peninsula (from a Caulocystis sample collected by SACReD member J. Baker in
2013). Published records are from the intertidal (Burn 2006), but this species also extends to at least the
shallow subtidal, with SA records to at least 6m deep.
Figure 11: Facelina sp. 3 (J. Chuk, pers. comm. 2013) from Muston in American River.
Photo: © K. Smith, SACReD associate.
23
A summary of more commonly recorded and geographically widespread sea slugs (nudibranchs and
opisthobranchs) which were recorded during the Kangaroo Island surveys in 2013 are listed in Appendix 1.
Sea slugs recorded during previous surveys, and during collection dives for museums over the years, are
listed in Appendix 2. Together with the records from the April 2013 survey, at least 76 species of sea slug
have been recorded from searches in few areas of Kangaroo Island, mainly the northern coast, and northeastern bays. A number of these species are rarely recorded in South Australia, including:
the tropical species Phyllodesmium poindimiei and Marianina rosea;
the Indo-West Pacific species Berthellina citrina;
the sub-tropical Tritoniopsis alba, a white nudibranch which has numerous lace-like gills;
the Western Australian species Pattyclaya brycei;
the south-eastern Australian species Doto ostenta, which feeds on hydroids;
a species in Paratritonia which lives on Mopsella coral, and resembles the Japanese P. lutea; and
an unidentified species in the genus Kaloplocamus, which is possibly an imported species from Europe.
Some of the less commonly recorded nudibranchs live under rocks, which would explain the lack of records,
since targetted searches must be made for records to be found.
Prosobranchs (Sea Snails, Gastropod Shells)
The Prosobranchia was for many decades considered one of three large subclasses of gastropod shells, along
with Pulmonata and Opisthobranchia. A substantial revision of this classification (e.g. Ponder and Lindberg
1997, cited by Ponder et al. 2002; Bouchet et al. 2005) now recognises the following groups:
Patellogastropoda (true limpets);
Vetigastropoda (top shells, abalones, turban shells, keyhole limpets, slit shells etc.);
Neritopsina or Neritimorpha (nerites);
Caenogastropoda (many of the marine snails, including periwinkles, whelks, cowries, cones, moon snails,
balers, etc.) and
Heterobranchia or Euthyneura (land snails and slugs, sea slugs etc.).
Most prosobranchs have external shells that can completely contain and protect the soft animal within, but
a few species have reduced internal shells. Another characteristic of prosobranchs is the presence of gills in a
mantle cavity under the edge of the shell. There is often a horny or shelly operculum on the back of the foot,
which is used to block the aperture of the shell when the animal retreats inside (Gowlett-Holmes 2008).
The prosobranch gastropod mollusc fauna in SA is rich and diverse, with hundreds of species occurring from
the intertidal, shallow subtidal and upper shelf waters combined (e.g. Appendix 4 in Baker 2004). During the
2013 marine field work, various common prosobranch gastropods were recorded in the RLS monitoring
transects by KI Friends of the Sea and NRM divers. These species included the trumpet shell Cabestana
tabulata, the helmet shell Cassis fimbriata, the top shell Clanculus undatus, the whelk Cominella lineolata,
the cone shell Conus anemone, the dog whelk Dicathais orbita, abalone species (Haliotis cyclobates, H.
laevigata, H. rubra), the volute Lyria mitraeformis, the pheasant shells Phasianella australis and P.
ventricosa, the kelp shell Phasianotrochus eximius, the tulip shell Pleuroploca australasia, the top shell
Prothalotia lehmani, the false limpet Siphonaria zelandica, the top shell Thalotia conica, and the turban
snails Turbo torquatus and T. undulatus.
Many of the above found during RLS transects were also recorded by SACReD divers, and one shell species of
interest recorded by SACReD divers during the 2013 field work was Compton s Cowrie Notocypraea
comptoni (Pelican Lagoon). Cowries are of conservation interest due to limited dispersal and production of
benthic eggs, which are brooded in some species; narrow geographic distribution of some morphologically
distinct populations; narrow depth range of some species, and/or value for trade, because these shells are
sought after by both commercial and recreational collectors. SACReD divers also recorded the Southern Ear
Cowrie / Velutinid Lamellaria australis (at Pelican Lagoon), an unusual shell which is permanently covered in
life with the orange body of the animal. Lamellaria australis is known mostly from south-eastern Australia.
24
Kangaroo Island is rich in rarely recorded shells, and other shells of conservation interest, including
commercially valued specimen shells. Examples of such species are listed in Appendix 3, along with
approximate locations where they have been recorded, mainly by collectors during the 20th century. The
species in Appendix 3 include groups such as the cowrie and volutes, whose members have potentially
vulnerable population characteristics, such as direct development (i.e. brooding of young, and thus limited
dispersal); narrow geographic distribution; narrow depth range, and/or high value for trade, because the
shells are sought after by collectors.
Discussion
A summary of studies within the KI NRM region in which the macro-invertebrate fauna has previously been
investigated include:
A study of the intertidal reef platform species composition at 5 sites on Kangaroo Island
(Benkendorff et al 2007). Species recorded during the intertidal surveys were common and/or had
broad geographic ranges across southern Australia;
A study of the fauna in seagrass meadows at selected sites around north-eastern Kangaroo Island, in
which both fish and invertebrate fauna were documented (Kinloch et al. 2007). Species lists indicate
that common and/or geographically widespread invertebrate species were found;
During the late 1970s, the late Neville Coleman, naturalist and marine photographer dived at a
number of locations around KI, and collected specimens for museums in south-eastern Australia;
During the 1980s and 1990s, the late P. Clarkson, marine naturalist and shell collector, dived
periodically at a number of locations around north-eastern Kangaroo Island, and collected numerous
species of specimen shells.
A summary of other subtidal invertebrate studies from 1990s to mid 2000s on Kangaroo Island was detailed
in Kinloch (2005):
From 1999 to early 2000s - biological surveys of subtidal reef fauna at depths from 5 - 20 m between
Western River Cove and Snug Cove were undertaken by J. Thistleton (KI Diving Charters) and Dr K.
Gowlett-Holmes (CSIRO Marine Research), assisted by T. Laperousaz (SA Museum) and D. Muirhead
(marine photographer). Specimens of marine benthic invertebrates (sponges, ascidians, molluscs,
bryozoans) were photographed (in situ) and collected, and around 20 hours of underwater video
footage was shot. More than 1,000 specimens (over 500 species), were curated and archived in the
Marine Invertebrates Collection at the SA Museum, with data on their location (depth, substrate
t pe a d ha itat a d ta o o . I ages are o tai ed i the Museu s slide li rar a d atalogued
in a hardcopy photo index. Dr Gowlett-Holmes also photographed and collected marine organisms
from jetties at Kingscote, Penneshaw and Vivonne Bay.
The former Department for Environment and Heritage Coast and Marine Branch carried out sporadic
benchmarking surveys of invertebrate and fish assemblages at selected sites within the Encounter
Marine Protected Area (MPA) between Point Marsden and Cape Willoughby. Abundance and size
composition data for scallops, as well as sessile invertebrate populations (sponges, ascidians,
echinoderms, molluscs, crustaceans), were collected from Pelican Lagoon and Nepean Bay.
The following summary of previous (20th century) intertidal invertebrate studies on Kangaroo Island was
detailed in Kinloch (2005):
In 1927, H. Hale published a treatise on the Crustaceans of Kangaroo Island in the Transactions of the
Royal Society of South Australia, based upon specimens collected during several expeditions to the
island by members of the SA Museum and the Flora and Fauna Board, as well as others dredged up
earlier by the Endeavour and by Sir Joseph Verco. Specimens were collected both subtidally (to a
depth of 60 metres) and intertidally at locations including beaches, seagrass meadows, limestone
reefs, rock pools, beneath boulders, on mudflats and in shallow bays on both the south and north
coasts. The majority were collected in the Bay of Shoals, Investigator Straight, Backstairs Passage and
Vi o e Ba , off Beare s Poi t Ki gs ote , a d Pt Marsde a d o “a ders Ba k; others a e fro
E u Ba , “ ith s Ba , A erican Beach and American River.
25
From 1944 to 1947, S. J. Edmonds made a detailed study of the occurrence and distribution of the
intertidal rock platform fauna at Pennington Bay (Edmonds 1948). This included a list of all the
species of sponges, corals, worms, crustaceans, molluscs, ascidians and echinoderms he collected,
together with notes on relative abundance and vertical zonation. He also determined the density of
populations of 10 species of mollusc and starfish by counting their numbers in 100 randomly placed
0.5 m2 quadrats.
In the 1951 PhD thesis of H.B.S. Womersley on the intertidal algae of KI, also included some brief
notes on the associated mollusc fauna at Pennington Bay and American River;
In 197 A short la a s guide to sea shells of KI was published by Osterstock, containing some
information on distribution and habitats (Osterstock 1976, cited by Kinloch 2005).
Despite previous survey efforts, little is known of the current distribution and local abundance of many
apparently uncommon or rare marine invertebrates, including a number of SA endemic species, for the
following reasons:
(i) few areas have been comprehensively surveyed (and previous surveys were not targetted towards
finding rare or endemic species, as specified above); hence there are substantial gaps in survey and
collecting effort for numerous areas;
(ii) the i a ilit to o pare like ith like , e ause re ords are a a alga atio of data usi g differe t
sampling techniques, variable survey or collecting intensity per area, and different time scales (ranging
from the present back to several decades);
(iii) the majority of the rare marine invertebrate species in SA are known from few specimen records, some
of which date back to the early or mid 20th century;
(iv) many possibly rare and/or endemic invertebrate species live in cryptic and under-surveyed habitats,
such as the underside of boulders, or in macroalgae.
As indicated in Appendix 2, marine invertebrate searches on Kangaroo Island have been concentrated in few
areas to date, mainly the coves and bays of the northern and north-eastern coast. For many parts of the KI
NRM region, little is known of the rare and endemic invertebrate fauna, other than areas between Western
River Cove and Snug Cove, and parts of the north-eastern bays, where intensive collecting and photography
occurred over several years. Examples of areas which are under-surveyed in terms of rare and endemic
species include the entire west coast, north-west coast, much of Eastern Cove, and Western Cove (other
than Kingscote Jetty), Dudley Peninsula (other than Penneshaw jetty area), and most of the southern coast.
The marine invertebrate fauna of Kangaroo Island is likely to be rich, given the diversity of habitats around
the island (Baker 2004), and its biogeographical position in southern Australia, between the warm to cool
temperate waters of the Flindersian Province, and the cool to cold temperate waters of the Maugean subprovince (Womersley 1990). The nudibranch and opisthobranch fauna is one example. Around 76 species,
ranging from tropical to cold temperate south-eastern Australian species, have been recorded from few
surveys (Appendices 1 and 2, and section of this report on Opisthobranchia), in few areas of the north and
north-east coast. The species richness is likely to be greater than is currently known.
Current field searches as discussed in this report, complemented by discussions with marine taxonomists,
have helped to improve (and correct) the state of knowledge about the distribution and habitat of a number
of rarely recorded and endemic marine invertebrates in South Australia, as well as several undescribed and
previously unrecorded taxa. Although specimen collecting is required to determine unequivocally the
species identity of many marine invertebrates, it is clear from some of the examples provided in this report,
that photographs with location and depth information can also provide very useful information, in the
endeavour to document the marine invertebrate biodiversity of South Australian nearshore waters,
including rarely recorded and endemic species in the KI NRM region.
26
A number of “AC‘eD s ari e photographs have been useful to taxonomic workers in Victoria, who
specialise in Anthozoa (corals and anemones), Opisthobranchs/Heterobranchia (sea slugs, nudibranchs);
Platyhelminthes (flatworms); and several other groups. A number of undescribed invertebrate species from
South Australia are in the process of being named, and the taxonomy of some described species is being
revised. Location records, macro-photographs (which show morphological detail and also habitat) and
specimens fro “AC‘eD s field sur e s, are useful as part of that pro ess.
Additionally, recent collaboration with the Marine Research Group (MRG) of the Field Naturalists Club of
Victoria (FNCV) has e pa ded the s ope of “AC‘eD s urre t field ork. The consequent collection and the
processing of both intertidal and subtidal samples for later taxonomic identification is proving to be valuable
in terms of rare and endemic species finds, and biodiversity studies on a broader scale.
Collectively, SACReD records from the SA gulfs ha e i luded so e e u des ri ed spe ies pre iousl
unknown to science), as well as records of existing undescribed and narrow range species; new records of
tropical species not previously recorded in SA, and range extensions of several known species which are
assumed to be endemic within SA. Due to various technical and logistic circumstances, few specimens were
collected during the Kangaroo island field trips in March and April 2013. One specimen in Eunicidae which
may be an undescribed species is yet to be examined.
Taxonomic colleagues are keen for more samples to be provided from our field work, for both traditional
taxonomic investigations (based on anatomy and morphology) and molecular work. SACReD is collaborating
with several taxonomists, who have provided advice about preferred fixing and preserving techniques for
each phylum of invertebrates. It is hoped the SACReD and the Marine Research Group of the FCNV will have
the opportunity in future to undertake a collaborative marine survey of sites around Kangaroo Island,
particularly locations which have not yet been surveyed.
Of interest are records of various species of tropical affinity (such as two of the undescribed anemones
recorded in April 2013 and discussed above, and also nudibranchs previously recorded on Kangaroo island
during other surveys, such as Phyllodesmium poindimiei). Records of tropical species require further
investigation. It is not known whether some of these species have existed for a long period in South
Australia, or are recent arrivals. In other cases, apparent tropical species may be undescribed temperate
relatives, and further taxonomic work is required, and this is currently progressing. One example is the
current taxonomic description of two anemones from South Australia, based on voucher specimens
collected by SACReD divers in January 2013, under SA Museum permit. Over time, another use for data from
this project may include the lodgement of records of tropical species that are found in South Australia, in
national databases that monitor distributions and range extensions. Such databases have been set up to
monitor marine fauna and flora in light of the multiple changes that are occurring to marine environments
due to global warming (e.g. McInnes et al. 2003; Hobday and Matear 2005, Hobday et al. 2006, Suppiah et al.
2006; IPCC 2007). Location- and date-specific records of tropical species in South Australia are also useful for
tracking the distribution and spread of invasive species.
Future work by SACReD on the rare and endemic invertebrates project will entail searches in more locations
within the KI NRM region, including deeper waters, and in the shallow subtidal and intertidal, at locations
where divers have not yet searched. Divers also plan to search within sanctuary zones of marine parks, and
in comparable habitats outside of sanctuaries. The project will also entail further collection of type
specimens (to be lodged at the S.A. Museum), so that some of the potentially new species can eventually be
described by taxonomic associates of the project from around Australia. There are still many gaps in the
knowledge of marine invertebrate species distributions, habitats, life history (e.g. reproductive mode, which
provides an indication of resilience or vulnerability to environmental impacts) and ecology. More field
research is required, based on careful observation, macro-photography and collection. Additionally, further
conservation status assessment is required over time, including a Statewide assessment. Many invertebrate
species may be considered rare or data deficient , based on the paucity of records.
27
A high but currently unquantifiable number of apparently rare species are likely to be more widespread but
have not yet been sampled due to their small size and/or cryptic habits. For example, many of the
opisthobranchs and nudibranchs (sea slugs) and specimen shell gastropods, are found under rocks, and are
not likely to be seen unless targetted searches are made. Without substantial survey and collecting effort, it
is ot possi le to deter i e true rarit o er a spatial s ale, or to produ e relia le s ste ati aps of
the range of various invertebrate species.
A comprehensive description of the true biodiversity, biogeography and value of marine invertebrates in
South Australia cannot be undertaken without considering the rare, endemic and other potentially
threatened invertebrates. These species deserve more emphasis, because most invertebrate studies to date
have focussed on the common intertidal and shallow subtidal invertebrates, or on commercially valuable
species.
6. Summary of Recommendations
•
Undertake further surveys to better determine the composition, distribution and abundance of South
Australian rare and endemic species from key invertebrate groups, particularly in and adjacent to
Marine Park sanctuary zones; also in data-poor areas, and in port areas and boat harbours (and other
highly modified areas where threatening processes exist).
•
Further studies to determine the current distribution of species known only from very few records
(particularly old records from the late 19th and early 20th century). In some cases only a single specimen
has ever been collected. Many of these species are small and inconspicuous, and require trained
taxonomists for their precise identification.
•
Specialised training of divers, to identify rare, endemic and other invertebrates of conservation interest,
at sites across the KI NRM region. Training should also include sample preparation techniques so that,
once collected, specimens are properly preserved for expert taxonomic analysis at museums.
•
Where possible, particular protection of existing Aquatic Reserves and sanctuary zones of Marine Parks
from physical impacts, nutrient enrichment, and sedimentation, especially those which are known to
provide habitat for apparently endemic / limited range species of invertebrates.
•
Establishment of a reliable and sensitive monitoring program for Aquatic Reserves and sanctuary zones
of Marine Parks, to determine the composition of invertebrate fauna (including rare and endemic
species), and provide baseline data to assist in detecting change over time due to local and global
stressors. This could be done by trained volunteers from Kangaroo Island Friends of the Sea, utilising
Reef Life survey methods, and assisted by members of SACReD.
•
Protect calcareous macro-invertebrates (such as corals and molluscs) that currently exists in and around
KI NRM, from additional anthropogenic stresses such as physical damage (e.g. from boats, anchors,
dredging etc), sediment smothering, and nutrient enrichment. Such protection may help calcareous
organisms to persist longer in the face of ongoing stresses which are harder to control, such as ocean
acidification from climate change.
•
Further investigation and assessment of the conservation status of marine invertebrates in South
Australia, particularly a Statewide status assessment (as recommended i DEH s
No Species Loss
nature conservation strategy, which was being revised in 2012-13). Following a Statewide assessment
(see above), consideration of listings under the schedules of the SA National Parks and Wildlife Act or
other suitable legislation. Complimentary to listing would be the development of regional and local
conservation strategies. Recovery plans may also be required in future - for example, in the case of
some exploited species such as specimen shells.
28
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32
Appendices
Appendix 1: A summary of relatively common and geographically widespread opisthobranchs (including
nudibranchs) which were recorded during the Kangaroo Island field work in 2013. Species are listed in
alphabetical order.
Species Name
Baeolidia australis ( = Spurilla
australis)
Ceratosoma brevicaudatum
Chromodoris epicuria
Location(s)
American River
(NB Previously record housed at SA Museum, was from
a site between Snug Cove and Western River Cove)
Stokes Bay West; Western River Cove; Fre h a s;
Lavers Reef; American River; White Point (near Emu
Bay); Kangaroo Head
(NB Previous records including Kingscote; Penneshaw;
Brown Beach; American Beach; D'Estrees Bay; and
Osmanli Reef off Point Tinline)
Frenchmans
(NB Also previous record from W side of Cape D'Estaing,
at SA Museum)
Doriopsilla carneola
Doriopsilla peculiaris
Elysia expansa
Hypselodoris saintvincentius
(H. infucata)
Mexichromis macropus
Oxynoe viridis
Paradoris dubia
Stiliger smaragdinus
Tylodina corticalis
Kingscote; American River
(NB Other locations include a previous record from
Snug Cove, at SA Museum)
American River
American River
Kangaroo Head
(NB Previous records housed at SA Museum and
Australian Museum, i ludi g The Ar h et ee
Snug Cove and Western River cove): a site E of Snug
Cove; Knob Point and Kingscote Jetty
Ironstone Hill; Western River Cove
American River
(NB Also previously recorded at this location in 1978:
Museum Victoria record, collected by N. Coleman)
American River
American River
Frenchman s; Lavers Reef
33
Appendix 2: Examples of records of other opisthobranchs and nudibranchs which have been found on
Kangaroo Island, in addition to those listed in Appendix 1 and in the body of this report.
Species Name
Aegires villosus
Aphelodoris lawsae
Aphelodoris greeni
Aplysia parvula
Austraeolis ornata
Berthellina citrina
Bulla quoyi
Caldukia affinis
Ceratosoma amoenum /
amoena
Chromodoris ambigua
Chromodoris alternata
Chromodoris tinctoria
Cratena sp.
Dendrodoris albopurpurea
Dendrodoris fumata
Dendrodoris nigra
Digidentis arbuta
(= Thorunna arbuta)
Digidentis kulonba
(previously Glossodoris
kulonba)
Digidentis perplexa
Doriopsilla peculiaris
Doto ostenta
Location(s)
The A phitheatre a d Piss Bo
‘o k (b/w Snug Cove and Western
River Cove)
The A phitheatre , The Ar h a d a
site E of The Ar h b/w Snug Cove and
Western River Cove); Knob Point;
Penneshaw
Piss Bo ‘o k (b/w Snug Cove and
Western River Cove)
Western River Cove
The Ar h a d Piss Bo ‘o k (b/w
Snug Cove and Western River Cove);
American River; Penneshaw
Piss Bo ‘o k / “ ug Co e a d
Western River Cove)
Western Cove, Eastern Cove, American
River
Penneshaw
Snug Cove, and E of Snug Cove;
Snellings Beach
W of The Arch
/ “ ug Co e a d
Western River Cove)
The A phitheatre (b/w Snug Cove
and Western River Cove)
The A phitheatre (b/w Snug Cove
and Western River Cove)
Piss Bo ‘o k / “ ug Co e a d
Western River Cove)
The Arch
/ “ ug Co e a d
Western River Cove)
American River and other locations
Pelican Lagoon; Kingscote Jetty
The Arch
/ “ ug Co e a d
Western River Cove)
Western River Cove
Knob Point;
Piss Bo ‘o k / “ ug Co e a d
Western River Cove) and surrounds
Kingscote jetty
E of Snug Cove
34
Source(s)
SA Museum record
Australian museum record;
Museum Victoria record; SA
Museum record; Kuiter 2007;
Coleman 2008
SA Museum record
SA Museum record
Museum Victoria record,
collected by N. Coleman, 1978;
SA Museum record
SA Museum record
Australian Museum records;
J. Baker, pers. obs.
SA Museum record
SA Museum records;
photo by H. Crawford
SA Museum record
SA Museum record
SA Museum record
SA Museum record
SA Museum records
SA Museum record; Kuiter 2007
Museum Victoria record;
Kinloch et al. 2007
SA Museum record
Kuiter 2007; SA Museum record
Australian Museum record,
1978; Kuiter 2007; SA Museum
records
SA Museum record
SA Museum record
Appendix 2 (cont.): Examples of records of other opisthobranchs and nudibranchs which have been found
on Kangaroo Island, in addition to those listed in Appendix 1 and in the body of this report.
Species Name
Eubranchus sp.
Flabellina rubrolineata
Location
Kangaroo Island
The A phitheatre (b/w Snug Cove
and Western River Cove)
Source
Coleman 2008
SA Museum records
Flabellina sp. 1
Glossodoris angasi
Halgerda graphica
Haminoea maugeansis
Hoplodoris nodulosa
Kaloplocamus sp.
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island
Antechamber Bay
Bay of Shoals
Kangaroo Island
The A phitheatre a d Piss Bo
‘o k (b/w Snug Cove and Western
River Cove)
Kangaroo Island
Knob Point
W of Piss Bo ‘o k (b/w Snug
Cove and Western River Cove)
Western River Cove (type locality);
The A phitheatre (b/w Snug Cove
and Western River Cove) and other
locations
W of Cape Cassini;
The A phitheatre (b/w Snug Cove
and Western River Cove)
Piss Bo ‘o k a d a site W of
The Ar h (b/w Snug Cove and
Western River Cove)
Kingscote
The A phitheatre (b/w Snug Cove
and Western River Cove)
Piss Bo ‘o k (b/w Snug Cove
and Western River Cove)
Knob Point
The Castles (b/w Snug Cove and
Western River Cove)
Kuiter 2007
Kuiter 2007
Fahey and Gosliner 2003
Australian Museum record
SA Museum record
SA Museum record
Liloa brevis
Marianina rosea
Melibe australis
Mexichromis macropus
Neodoris chrysoderma
Noumea closeorum / closei
Okenia mija
Paliolla cooki
Paratritonia cf lutea
Phidiana militaris
Phidiana cf. newcombi (=
Facelina newcombi)
Coleman 2008
Australian Museum record
SA Museum record
Burn 2006; Kuiter 2007; SA
Museum record
SA Museum records; Kuiter 2007
SA Museum records
Australian Museum record
SA Museum record
SA Museum record;
Coleman 2008
Museum Victoria record
SA Museum record
Philine angasi
Phyllodesmium poindimiei
Kingscote
West of The Ar h (b/w Snug Cove
and Western River Cove)
SA Museum record
SA Museum record
Pattyclaya brycei
Polybranchia pallens
Kangaroo Island
Wester ‘i er Co e; The Ar h (b/w
Snug Cove and Western River Cove)
Piss Bo ‘o k (b/w Snug Cove
and Western River Cove)
Coleman 2008
SA Museum record
Pleurobranchaea maculata
35
SA Museum record
Appendix 2 (cont.): Examples of records of other opisthobranchs and nudibranchs which have been found
on Kangaroo Island, in addition to those listed in Appendix 1 and in the body of this report.
Species Name
Pteraeolidia ianthina
Roburnella wilsoni
Location
E of Snug Cove
American River
Rostanga sp. ( Discodoris
paroa / Rostanga
calumnus )
Rostanga crawfordi
(= Rostanga australis)
Rostanga calumus
Browns Beach (Eastern Cove) and
other locations
Kingscote
Sagaminopteron ornatum
Penneshaw; Kingscote and other
locations
Stokes Bay; Cape Marsden
Sclerodoris tarka
Kingscote Jetty
Scyllaea pelagica
Eastern Cove, Western Cove
Siphopteron sp.
Spurilla macleayi
Snug Cove
Piss Bo ‘o k (b/w Snug Cove
and Western River Cove)
The A phitheatre (b/w Snug
Cove and Western River Cove);
Penneshaw jetty
Kingscote jetty
Tambja verconis
Taringa merria (previously
Aporodoris merria)
Trapania aureopunctata
Trapania brunnea
Trinchesia sp.
Tritoniopsis alba
Verconia verconis
Kingscote jetty
Kingscote and other locations
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island
Antechamber Bay (type locality)
Brown Beach, Eastern Cove,
Kingscote and other locations
36
Source
SA Museum record
Australian Museum record;
Coleman 2008; photo by R. Kuiter
Benkendorff et al. 2007;
photograph by N. Coleman;
SA Museum record
photo by D. Muirhead
SA Museum; photograph by N.
Coleman
Museum Victoria record,
collected by N. Coleman, 1978;
photo by A. Brown 2008
Museum Victoria record;
SA Museum record
photo by R. Kuiter;
Kinloch et al. 2007;
Coleman 2008
SA Museum record
SA Museum record
Australian Museum record,
collected by I. Loch, 1978;
SA Museum records
SA Museum record
SA Museum record
Australian Museum record,
collected by R. Kuiter, 1978;
SA Museum record
Coleman 2008
Kuiter 2007
Australian Museum record; Burn
2006; Kuiter 2007;
photo by J. Baker 2007
Appendix 3: Examples of prosobranch gastropod shells of conservation interest which are found around
Kangaroo Island (adapted from Baker 2011a and references therein, and data by the late P. Clarkson).
Species which may be endemic within South Australia (if they are distinct species) are marked E .
Genus & Species
Amoria undulata
Examples of locations around Kangaroo Island and vicinity
Dudley Peninsula
Argalista roseopunctata E
Cape Borda
Austrodrillia (Austrodrillia) agrestis E
Backstairs Passage
Austrodrillia (Austrodrillia) dimidiata E
Backstairs Passage
Austrocypraea reevei
Backstairs Passage; Dudley Peninsula (including Penneshaw area) I
Austroharpa (Palamharpa) punctata
S Kangaroo Island
Conus klemae
N coast of Kangaroo Island; Dudley Peninsula; S Kangaroo Island
Daphnella (Daphnella) diluta E
Backstairs Passage, and Cape Borda
Lyria mitraeformis
eastern Kangaroo Island
Nannamoria johnclarki / johnclarkei
Backstairs Passage
Notocypraea angustata
Backstairs Passage; Eastern Cove
Notocypraea piperita
Backstairs Passage; Eastern Cove; Dudley Peninsula
Notocypraea comptoni comptoni
Backstairs Passage ; S coast of Kangaroo Island
Notopeplum translucidum
Backstairs Passage
Turbo (Dinassovica) jourdani
Kangaroo Island
Umbilia armeniaca
N Kangaroo Island
Vasum (Altivasum) flindersi
Dudley Peninsula
Zoila friendii thersites
(including form contraria)
Zoila marginata orientalis
Dudley Peninsula and other Kangaroo Island locations; Backstairs Passage
Zoila marginata marginata
Kangaroo Island
Dudley Peninsula (incl. Penneshaw area) and other areas
37