Latest Additions and Updates

Shrimp's Burrow Lepton

Ephippodontoana mcdougalli

One of the strangest bivalves found in South Australian waters, this species is associated with shrimp and is often found in their burrows. it is white to cream in colour and looks like a flattish gastropod due to the fact that its semi-circular valves remain completely open. It is similar in appearance to the closely-related Ephippodonta lunata, but is more circular in shape and strongly sculptured.

Yellow Top Shell

Clanculus albanyensis

This pale-shelled snail lives under rocks and is uncommonly encountered. It is one of many Clanculus snails found in the area, all with similar appearance. The pale colouration, more rounded whorls and fine spiral cords all help to distinguish this species from others, including Clanculus plebejus.

Golden Small Star

Australium aureum

This common, but patchily distributed snail has a flattish cream shell, often with a pale green or orange tinge. Although it is often heavily eroded or encrusted, the shell has subtle wavy ridges that change to nodules on the lower whorls. Juveniles have pointed projections, with the shell resembling a circular saw blade. This snail can easily be confused with other species including Bembicium vittatum and various Clanculus species, and requires close examination of the shell and habitat, which is usually seagrass or algae beds. It can also be mistaken for eroded specimens of the more heavily ribbed Australium squamiferum, as well as the star-shaped juveniles, which look alike in both species.

Eastern Great Egret

Ardea alba (ssp. modesta)

This large wading bird can be found on coastal bays and saltmarshes, and inland wetlands. It is white overall with a yellow bill, which turns black in breeding adults. It can be confused with the Little Egret (Egretta garzetta), particularly in breeding season, but can be distinguished by its larger size, longer neck (longer than the length of its body), and yellow bill when present.

Sacoproteus smaragdinus

Extremely difficult to spot amongst the Caulerpa it usually calls home, this sap-sucking sea slug is nonetheless quite large. It is a bright green in colour, with a few scattered blueish white spots on the rounded cerata that closely resemble the ramuli of its food source. Its smooth rhinophores are the same colour as the rest of the animal, but are tipped with the same white shade. It is unknown whether this species is introduced to SA, but it is widespread in the Indo-west Pacific.

Australian Rock-borer

Hiatella australis

This small white bivalve can be found amongst rocks and seagrass, or embedded in sponge. It has an irregular but loosely mussel-like shape, but with the hinge along the long edge. It has noticeable concentric banding.

Marineer

Phasianotrochus irisodontes

This small snail is found in seagrass and algae beds. Its conical shell is an iridescent green, either with or without a striped pattern that can be quite variable. It is herbivorous, feeding on the microalgae that often grows on the larger plants. Its small size and/or iridescence distinguishes it from the many similar snails found in the state, including Austrolittorina unifasciata and Thalotia conica.

Ischnochiton virgatus

This small colourful chiton is often found in groups on the underside of rocks. Its pattern is variable, but it is usually some variation on tan, with a white central area and scattered blue blotches. It has a thin white girdle, with tiny scales and well-defined dark bands. Its pattern can be almost identical to that of Ischnochiton thomasi, and it is most easily differentiated by its distinctive girdle.

Pied Stilt

Himantopus leucocephalus

This long-legged and long-billed waterbird can be found in estuaries and salt marshes, as well as inland waterways. It is mostly white, with a black back and wings, with a separate black patch on the rear of its head that extends down and around to the shoulders. Its legs are a reddish pink, and its bill is black.

Western Longspined Sea Urchin

Centrostephanus tenuispinus

This sea urchin can be found at any depth, to over 100 metres, but is not commonly found in water shallower than five or so metres. Its slender and long primary spines are usually a blue-grey to lavender, while its secondary spines and tube feet are dark, with a reddish hue. While it is similar at first glance, the blueish colouration and the much longer spines can help distinguish it from the more common Heliocidaris erythrogramma. Its range is not known to overlap with Centrostephanus rodgersii, which has yet to be found in SA. However, it is also similar in appearance to that species.