tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21315444159185741072024-03-08T17:54:02.361-08:00Queensland CoastEcology and Geology of the Queensland Coast
(was MangroveCreatures - see post index below)Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-60716401216548118582021-09-24T21:00:00.005-07:002021-09-26T18:11:41.033-07:00Oysters in the Mangroves<p>Did oysters disappear from Queensland mangroves or were they never there to start with. There have been some big environmental changes but they occur slowly and go unnoticed. This is the shifting baseline phenomena, where powerful changes occur too slowly for people to see from personal experience but which totally change places from generation to generation.</p>
<p>A document from the NSW government included a photo of an aboriginal man harvesting oysters from the mangroves. Even similar swamps in southern Queensland are oyster free. Did the oysters disappear from Queensland swamps before my time? If so why?</p>
<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbs8ju7GkZR0L-CORe4WmgxSEfEBraFy6jvdGofd1-HI6TfPRnqhFo_Efm9N9mQb3IyN_eFhQTc_s_bDZ-Da-VXJsWO2bLOojg7rOBTPQhP_s0FsdoyXK7YRIzvrjZyJPstcq7hQT3nI8/s704/man-collecting-oysters-slnsw-bcp_04718h.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Aboriginal man harvesting oysters" border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="704" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbs8ju7GkZR0L-CORe4WmgxSEfEBraFy6jvdGofd1-HI6TfPRnqhFo_Efm9N9mQb3IyN_eFhQTc_s_bDZ-Da-VXJsWO2bLOojg7rOBTPQhP_s0FsdoyXK7YRIzvrjZyJPstcq7hQT3nI8/w400-h225/man-collecting-oysters-slnsw-bcp_04718h.jpg" title="Sydney rock oyster and aboriginal man" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />Aboriginal man harvesting oysters (photo: NSW museum)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Oysters thrive in the tropics and are present on the rocky or concrete breakwaters, often as thick crusts. In smaller mangrove creeks where stilt roots descend from high branches and dangle into deep water, clumps of oysters form at the club ends where the roots stop growing. Obviously, it is not a water quality issue that prevents oysters from growing in the mangroves.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvuAmJlzmU4KLKPCh3hcqAsv7ygeBHJnRCgSixnTW8XypQBkRBmrBUgsWHvskb_4vbZ7f2vA5YKMdB3FqbBN1rPgTsGFShaHBv0tP5IYy7TA3JkO81W8BfQbCt94KmpzAbDhyR40mQs4Ua/s1704/P1000946.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1704" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvuAmJlzmU4KLKPCh3hcqAsv7ygeBHJnRCgSixnTW8XypQBkRBmrBUgsWHvskb_4vbZ7f2vA5YKMdB3FqbBN1rPgTsGFShaHBv0tP5IYy7TA3JkO81W8BfQbCt94KmpzAbDhyR40mQs4Ua/s320/P1000946.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oysters on thriving on rocks inside Cairns Marina</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I began to notice broken shells on the mud below mangrove trees and even patches of bark crushed off the place where an oyster was attached. This implicates something that can nip or bite. As the oysters on dangling roots are fine, we can rule out fish. This leaves crabs. Famously, Queensland has mud crabs (<i>Scylla serrata</i>) and these very powerful crabs can crush shellfish. The lumps in the gape of their nippers are even called molars and these lumps serve to crush hard shells. Another crab is the thunder crab, which is so named as you need thunder to get them off if they latch on to you.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEMP0j5ZIdhEaEIDQb1N1To88jGNBl04Z-iJeoHI6EVDddwRSQqJ1sV-nX4v2Ips0oHgXkWDCAsRmv6opWp6p0jgGf4d-vpuqSMuKEfefeXFxk2BsuNhz9nHQ0sAVBVZwC_N44SEFXEs5/s2048/IMG_1493.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEMP0j5ZIdhEaEIDQb1N1To88jGNBl04Z-iJeoHI6EVDddwRSQqJ1sV-nX4v2Ips0oHgXkWDCAsRmv6opWp6p0jgGf4d-vpuqSMuKEfefeXFxk2BsuNhz9nHQ0sAVBVZwC_N44SEFXEs5/s320/IMG_1493.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remains of an oyster</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHcjprzFvCC-cIzxwmy-iLGtYpLXnAXk-YkCGEMbQFmOqFifegDRhI3Smw1xTDX69METwV66egCJ2GN-519xZwi56k6e4c2iaydhZEReBpMTSg1-NpB-Zdzbm9TtmKR0AheeKFucythA9/s640/IMG_6589.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHcjprzFvCC-cIzxwmy-iLGtYpLXnAXk-YkCGEMbQFmOqFifegDRhI3Smw1xTDX69METwV66egCJ2GN-519xZwi56k6e4c2iaydhZEReBpMTSg1-NpB-Zdzbm9TtmKR0AheeKFucythA9/s320/IMG_6589.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crunch marks on mangrove stilt roots</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Thunder crabs (<i>Myomenippe fornasinii</i>) are probably specialised oyster predators. These heavily built crabs are very slow moving but powerful. They are relatively hard to find but live in mangrove estuaries and passages. They are probably the ones that crush oysters from mangrove roots.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMgVtUUYYRW8SlimeqpIG-MKoOWrZR4XCEBa6dD8Dd7IOQdrYV_929H4K4eAFmdO92_rGADeb-evvI2H5lMPLFG10I9i6TjLets3DTZVi_1r_VKvOrdav5XtWciJoijcBXfOQyMgXss2S/s2048/IMG_5925.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Myomenippe fornasinii" border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMgVtUUYYRW8SlimeqpIG-MKoOWrZR4XCEBa6dD8Dd7IOQdrYV_929H4K4eAFmdO92_rGADeb-evvI2H5lMPLFG10I9i6TjLets3DTZVi_1r_VKvOrdav5XtWciJoijcBXfOQyMgXss2S/w320-h213/IMG_5925.JPG" title="Thunder crab" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkw2HcWWe5rHjg9tvh4uSgpQGRIxZwFztoG53v59xtAd_KnyvFCkHNOrnJu_PHCjdiOP8feO1HXCQZnFg2AoBFYAjHR9DG05dcWDnwW2EJfMw9IrrpSEXxrA-0XbP4P7e1F2zCCFgUKHS/s2048/IMG_5930.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Thunder crab" border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitkw2HcWWe5rHjg9tvh4uSgpQGRIxZwFztoG53v59xtAd_KnyvFCkHNOrnJu_PHCjdiOP8feO1HXCQZnFg2AoBFYAjHR9DG05dcWDnwW2EJfMw9IrrpSEXxrA-0XbP4P7e1F2zCCFgUKHS/w320-h213/IMG_5930.JPG" title="Myomenippe fornasinii" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqgCPahnb1uckS8zQ-meOQsWg6X0Ge1wueIVlMb6JjqRpuJ7m7tjjeHclrRQD028MEfnGd0tOcM3tWc1hj_sWY-85znqorryR0zXrIDTSDNyLmBKS4dQC4J9HmBjUYog3wtpPF-0xO46e/s2048/IMG_5931.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline-width: 0px !important; user-select: auto !important;"><img alt="Thunder crab seen from back" border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqgCPahnb1uckS8zQ-meOQsWg6X0Ge1wueIVlMb6JjqRpuJ7m7tjjeHclrRQD028MEfnGd0tOcM3tWc1hj_sWY-85znqorryR0zXrIDTSDNyLmBKS4dQC4J9HmBjUYog3wtpPF-0xO46e/w320-h213/IMG_5931.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Thunder crab in action!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b-xjvbk32IQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="b-xjvbk32IQ"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p>Thunder and mud crabs are probably not entirely responsible for depleting oysters in the mangroves, as oysters are abundant in places that these crabs cannot reach or in more southerly areas where cold water temperatures limit crab activity. Historical photos suggest that at least some mangrove areas were oyster encrusted and is possible that crabs were eaten or controlled by indigenous people to allow this to happen. At river mouths and lake entrances in NSW, there are carpets of oysters such as can be seen in the top photo in this post.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KOlmbe6-6eCjWaTEr6R7R7Q0CTMEkDhv5Nnou6RdHTzSUheV1o8I86tMIDe7TlzthHfikfwThO-Gl6SZHA1I9REHGvlW7ggHm0HxlwtZLO0V9mAKuuipGYMG5pxX2aNYo-USurfJt3tv/s2048/DSCN9433.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sydney rock oysters on mangroves" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KOlmbe6-6eCjWaTEr6R7R7Q0CTMEkDhv5Nnou6RdHTzSUheV1o8I86tMIDe7TlzthHfikfwThO-Gl6SZHA1I9REHGvlW7ggHm0HxlwtZLO0V9mAKuuipGYMG5pxX2aNYo-USurfJt3tv/w320-h240/DSCN9433.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oysters on mangroves at Kurnell, Botany Bay, 2019</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6P7Uyy1jnxKALVeLoZEJForSH8vL5ro9BeEqMXY-xpnbd04llR-_wA_kGIB9uRlnBvqpUZAdGT7eHIyjB6NZqTdhHLj1r368v_VMLgrtSybHCNALhC4ibZDeCKa7_9DxClMZnDacUxDm/s2048/DSCN9453.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6P7Uyy1jnxKALVeLoZEJForSH8vL5ro9BeEqMXY-xpnbd04llR-_wA_kGIB9uRlnBvqpUZAdGT7eHIyjB6NZqTdhHLj1r368v_VMLgrtSybHCNALhC4ibZDeCKa7_9DxClMZnDacUxDm/s320/DSCN9453.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oysters carpet the mangrove pneumatophores of the seaward zone</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://queenslandcoast.blogspot.com/2016/08/oyster-reefs-of-far-north-queensland.html">More information on oyster reefs in Far North Queensland can be found in this post</a></p>
Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-12751498700217436192021-02-24T03:11:00.000-08:002021-02-24T03:11:14.122-08:00Mangrove Recovery 10 Years after a Category 5 Cyclone<p>During the early hours of the morning on 6 February 2011, the most powerful cyclone in Queensland’s recorded history struck the coast. Cyclone Yasi crossed the coast as a Category 5 storm between Cardwell and Tully Heads. Where it crossed the coast, the storm surge was said to have been 7 m high. Fortunately, the cyclone crossed the coast in an unpopulated area of swampy Girrimay National Park. Several kilometres to the south saltwater inundated the Cardwell esplanade and adjacent town up to the ceilings of low set houses. </p><p>Immediately after the cyclone, it is hard to inspect the impacted area. Low clouds and rain prevent aviation and aerial imagery. On the ground, power lines are down and often areas are closed to the public to prevent looting. It was not until the middle of April that I could go in and record the damage. My role was to assess the level of damage to trees and coastal reserves. Some of the records that I collected are presented in previous posts including <a href="http://queenslandcoast.blogspot.com/2015/03/environmental-damage-from-cyclone-yasi.html">Environmental Damage from Cyclone Yasi</a> and <a href="https://queenslandcoast.blogspot.com/2014/06/legacy-of-cyclone-yasi.html">Legacy of Cyclone Yasi</a>.</p><p>By April, the mangroves were completely dead. Wherever there were deep green mangrove forests, there were now broad grey fringes of dead forest. Something similar happened in Darwin after Cyclone Tracey. However, neither the process of mangrove death or the gradual recovery of the mangrove ecosystems were recorded. Exactly why the mangroves die is not known to me. I suspect that the mangroves are shaken so hard by waves that the soil releases its poison gasses into the roots of the mangroves and that the trees are poisoned. Coastal trees growing on thin fingers of sand within the mangroves survived and had partially regenerated their crowns within only a few months of the cyclone. Whatever kills the mangroves is mangrove specific and extremely lethal. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9F1AIhFzOf9wvHa3B0pAWKX6m7QVMRc7ia88AN_I78bMbuAa_tGvA2uV7TI9Ho5g8eEccFrZV5aULucMdCofbVnX7F1sAEAUMd2OcIBWwr5uMWlijiNrddtJPagC355UmtTqtme7nx5BT/s1500/IMGP2044.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dead mangroves on Cardwell foreshore" border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1500" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9F1AIhFzOf9wvHa3B0pAWKX6m7QVMRc7ia88AN_I78bMbuAa_tGvA2uV7TI9Ho5g8eEccFrZV5aULucMdCofbVnX7F1sAEAUMd2OcIBWwr5uMWlijiNrddtJPagC355UmtTqtme7nx5BT/w640-h424/IMGP2044.JPG" title="Dead mangroves on Cardwell foreshore" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dead mangroves on Cardwell foreshore, April 2011</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>The best area to observe the long-term impact of the mangroves is near the boat ramp at Meunga Creek, which is about 2 km north of Cardwell town. In the ten years since Cyclone Yasi, mangrove forests that were approximately 20 m high have recovered to about 5 m tall. Log piles formed from toppled adn washed-up mangroves there lined the seaward fringe are now gone. Gaps in seaward stands where trees once stood remain open as there is very little regeneration within the remnants of these once dense stands. <i>Sonneratia </i>mangrove seedlings formed a band in front of the tall stilt mangroves but ten years on, they remain shrubby and wind burned.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8sLJ313xLHQ9kaFv7rIgaCvA6vDnDh-7YDJ1u6Frkft8DsxVodVzaFInePtF7cD-LJo1DCmSNyz1ac7UugICyX0HQVoNFMISkRqVnStm8bGPPYfZcUCYGWzd0HNlJVkZErJidmdH_43d/s1500/DSCN2237.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8sLJ313xLHQ9kaFv7rIgaCvA6vDnDh-7YDJ1u6Frkft8DsxVodVzaFInePtF7cD-LJo1DCmSNyz1ac7UugICyX0HQVoNFMISkRqVnStm8bGPPYfZcUCYGWzd0HNlJVkZErJidmdH_43d/w400-h300/DSCN2237.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seaward mangroves in 2014</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyAjsPC5eTCDcEpF_muaTOiSIDHm6Irza_BS5CpgsiG28VFvcAFFu4mkNq21o4tcuwYxKgPSFkNQLT22EIeuFXfGBEG8PdjTx35-o4bPuPtD9h_fmruLlAF1_98e_1d8TJltBUwJ04qxj/s1500/IMG_4468.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyAjsPC5eTCDcEpF_muaTOiSIDHm6Irza_BS5CpgsiG28VFvcAFFu4mkNq21o4tcuwYxKgPSFkNQLT22EIeuFXfGBEG8PdjTx35-o4bPuPtD9h_fmruLlAF1_98e_1d8TJltBUwJ04qxj/w400-h266/IMG_4468.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seaward mangroves in 2018</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhkPwERZgbOh9mMwDVuB5qA0XKZB5XPbRPQUqoCkU2Chie-OZjQ9CjUKTAOMiiMS2bvjY0GGxKhIX0LdCFi-G4v5zJgiANaJCkyTSFC5q1gCD2r6iZLSoW1glyC8Gk3xQuHIAOiXX7ZqI/s1500/P6930013.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhkPwERZgbOh9mMwDVuB5qA0XKZB5XPbRPQUqoCkU2Chie-OZjQ9CjUKTAOMiiMS2bvjY0GGxKhIX0LdCFi-G4v5zJgiANaJCkyTSFC5q1gCD2r6iZLSoW1glyC8Gk3xQuHIAOiXX7ZqI/w400-h266/P6930013.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seaward mangroves in 2021</td></tr></tbody></table><p>On the sandy levee which runs through the mangroves, there is now a 5 m tall stand of a type of Orange Mangroves - <i>Brugiera parviflora</i>. These trees can grow taller than 25 m, so they are still young. After the cyclone, it was difficult to walk here as fallen mangroves were so densely packed that they almost formed a deck that could be walked on. The maelstrom of crashing waves and grinding logs would have cleared a patch of ground on which these mangroves could regenerate. Mangrove propagules would have been washed in and could start growing. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmq6BJyswcSvGiPN0vLGcOOCQS0ZzZIqWw7dCKe7gIQMmurPBPxDfsrKM3m6f2SZHSKQvN70rXgDdjGcku1xoCOijrnKcyuCoTdcxRWQGI2Me6ZqZ4fT-qX9OOnjg-CaZIn4QV_lTsmc6S/s1500/DSCN2252.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmq6BJyswcSvGiPN0vLGcOOCQS0ZzZIqWw7dCKe7gIQMmurPBPxDfsrKM3m6f2SZHSKQvN70rXgDdjGcku1xoCOijrnKcyuCoTdcxRWQGI2Me6ZqZ4fT-qX9OOnjg-CaZIn4QV_lTsmc6S/w400-h300/DSCN2252.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange mangrove stand in 2014</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVa59df7mnNc7e9bhAHiBqFTCp4DuUUD_ylh7HNCRY3fDEewvCJMXmSRdwC-h7384ZfXwuB6-ILjot8EqSyEqVT-El3y-bUYYP2-aJAz-s1GvumD3h7R9kRgrqOfz0_xETtkCBv7o7bfMw/s1500/IMG_4515.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVa59df7mnNc7e9bhAHiBqFTCp4DuUUD_ylh7HNCRY3fDEewvCJMXmSRdwC-h7384ZfXwuB6-ILjot8EqSyEqVT-El3y-bUYYP2-aJAz-s1GvumD3h7R9kRgrqOfz0_xETtkCBv7o7bfMw/w400-h266/IMG_4515.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same stand in 2018</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeoLMGx7tfP_6iiMkQO_LXwNd_MEo06U-_Fi9fs5ZWTE1WkV4we7vFa91Uvs1XxbLVBf-1D22dgaKwMdsAPe1plaKDUnev3gEgM_lz72ZX6nDWHwlt9mpZYN-9dldIadgxsYy-UMW36XC/s1500/P6930057.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEeoLMGx7tfP_6iiMkQO_LXwNd_MEo06U-_Fi9fs5ZWTE1WkV4we7vFa91Uvs1XxbLVBf-1D22dgaKwMdsAPe1plaKDUnev3gEgM_lz72ZX6nDWHwlt9mpZYN-9dldIadgxsYy-UMW36XC/w400-h266/P6930057.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside stand in 2021</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVwHNzYtWV_o0qcJOaDaZ8gBuko36x-4kuACaRg6aHlMURX3GR599lruOLqrKmMMiXYjw6CUIitVuLmj3z9569197HcUcOAjbcc9BK8yPxtuf7_MKgnfpCyc3oZ5BfXVpeA8Wvhuvpi5R/s1500/P6930060.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; outline-width: 0px; user-select: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVwHNzYtWV_o0qcJOaDaZ8gBuko36x-4kuACaRg6aHlMURX3GR599lruOLqrKmMMiXYjw6CUIitVuLmj3z9569197HcUcOAjbcc9BK8yPxtuf7_MKgnfpCyc3oZ5BfXVpeA8Wvhuvpi5R/w400-h266/P6930060.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up inside stand in 2021</td></tr></tbody></table><p>In the dense stand behind the levee the mangroves were not toppled but died off in droves for reasons unknown. There was so much fallen timber that very few mangrove propagules would have been washed in. Also as very few mangrove trees survived, local production of propagules was almost non-existent. Regeneration in these back swamps has a slow start.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3BuiHXE7sIjP5uW8QopCa01VM9sKnk8NxqiX4FZX3C8GexZtiNo5Jj-dTuByeubBh2cxmK-5noBXY_VGI8AYbAEyckOe-bC91i3J8qMlK9xMOUMjDfPy6Ngiix9Ht5hOeiNarQcAWva4/s1500/DSCN2291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3BuiHXE7sIjP5uW8QopCa01VM9sKnk8NxqiX4FZX3C8GexZtiNo5Jj-dTuByeubBh2cxmK-5noBXY_VGI8AYbAEyckOe-bC91i3J8qMlK9xMOUMjDfPy6Ngiix9Ht5hOeiNarQcAWva4/w400-h300/DSCN2291.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back swamp was mostly dead in 2014</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdG503EX_GHUpku6S3gSz_3wQ2x_LMxjnKaShq7vtXyfMwT4ZL9IjSgtYbhriADu-RLetcdD8GAG3b3B-fw1JjBOwy3yM0pvBx8pMoIr9YIBOaJZukxFmBPITNUdg3MWGx3JH7hi1epXC/s1500/IMG_4414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcdG503EX_GHUpku6S3gSz_3wQ2x_LMxjnKaShq7vtXyfMwT4ZL9IjSgtYbhriADu-RLetcdD8GAG3b3B-fw1JjBOwy3yM0pvBx8pMoIr9YIBOaJZukxFmBPITNUdg3MWGx3JH7hi1epXC/w400-h266/IMG_4414.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By 2018 some new mangroves had established</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OI1A63xbxuR8TqS0IMa0OXWa6-3UHH1PjpeTzV10jyZgSTLG3Cu5cQ7nFyPRTxcVVFX-syEygtOq_ENi3I8pWYi0XFSbm9Rwt2P-BAFUclLhatbxVOfwaM38rEk1aklUPlqA7eI0XFYp/s1500/P6930089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; outline-width: 0px !important; user-select: auto !important;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OI1A63xbxuR8TqS0IMa0OXWa6-3UHH1PjpeTzV10jyZgSTLG3Cu5cQ7nFyPRTxcVVFX-syEygtOq_ENi3I8pWYi0XFSbm9Rwt2P-BAFUclLhatbxVOfwaM38rEk1aklUPlqA7eI0XFYp/w400-h266/P6930089.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In 2021, the mangroves are starting to close the gaps</td></tr></tbody></table><p>It has taken 10 years for mangrove regeneration to fill most of the gaps. Based on gaps created by Cyclone Winifred in 1986, which were visible from the now closed mangrove boardwalk at Cairns Airport, it will take approximately 30 years before the regenerating mangroves start to blend in with the trees that survived. It might take twice as long for the forest to recover its original stature.</p><p></p>Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com0Cardwell QLD 4849, Australia-18.2654956 146.0258069-46.575729436178847 110.86955689999999 10.044738236178844 -178.81794309999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-59412922197646528362019-02-04T22:08:00.003-08:002019-12-18T15:05:56.481-08:00Southernmost Mangroves in the World (almost)<br />
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In Australia, mangroves reach as far south as Corner Inlet at the very bottom of Victoria and are almost the <a href="http://birding-aus.org/the-most-southerly-mangroves-in-the-world/" target="_blank">southernmost mangroves in the world</a>. The mangroves described
in this post, were only 40 km further north at Western Port Bay which is an internationally important wetland. </div>
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I wanted to know what mangroves are like at the extreme end of their distribution and
how they compare to tropical mangroves? Which mangrove fauna and flora species are missing and which remain at the geographical limits of existence? </div>
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I found the mangrove
ecosystem in Western Port Bay to be as simple as a mangrove ecosystem can get. However, the saltmarsh behind the
mangroves is sensational. There is a riot of colour and visual texture.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinl21JifM5vdp5Yj991gNM6MTMX5QQrQJ0Tr7vErKZqV5XRhErHodRC_t0avBzESEOH1FkKYHq1AU-szTbuchcfV0FiuQrc6az_juzIWo1EcF8LC-JWlG15pGa364pgbLo0ut5TizMhIiw/s1600/Saltmarsh-victoria.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinl21JifM5vdp5Yj991gNM6MTMX5QQrQJ0Tr7vErKZqV5XRhErHodRC_t0avBzESEOH1FkKYHq1AU-szTbuchcfV0FiuQrc6az_juzIWo1EcF8LC-JWlG15pGa364pgbLo0ut5TizMhIiw/s320/Saltmarsh-victoria.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The saltmarsh stretches to the horizon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmO4BgGA2xJavnW8TKwPSUIk3OajZDj_U62KktrUZxORxw2RhsdU6ACNkztofto-yWkqghpMAMwJdnOSClHHdpJLU5-fWkjRUfDMuozslUnPOWM-RED3QFyUduHKCkzx41JOVEUHBJnwMI/s1600/Disphyma-crassifolium.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmO4BgGA2xJavnW8TKwPSUIk3OajZDj_U62KktrUZxORxw2RhsdU6ACNkztofto-yWkqghpMAMwJdnOSClHHdpJLU5-fWkjRUfDMuozslUnPOWM-RED3QFyUduHKCkzx41JOVEUHBJnwMI/s320/Disphyma-crassifolium.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jellybeans (Disphyma crassifolium)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIZcyQU8UT5RcvddYEvW-3kM2ngnUZ34Ijtq_DyK4o-Unc4RtVhEh1PFMzutRp-7t8DhcCOQeD_v0Mv6EhYzcOEtTZwJxeEMa4kKR2e6UkjnQWCRKbvpcgR-_kP2lV2uTrtsrkPdd_aKm/s1600/Selliera.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIZcyQU8UT5RcvddYEvW-3kM2ngnUZ34Ijtq_DyK4o-Unc4RtVhEh1PFMzutRp-7t8DhcCOQeD_v0Mv6EhYzcOEtTZwJxeEMa4kKR2e6UkjnQWCRKbvpcgR-_kP2lV2uTrtsrkPdd_aKm/s320/Selliera.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selligera</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAMhXJ40vKd8Hp_Ug5_fxst0mZjA9Q4IA0Y80EQ6p7kFt0x3-_lVOZgLYaNvY-3rMcQ8dIu10KOYY3crwCkC_WdJOtLiGY7cpVo_5t5y4nfKQo5wDw1IMHYEyRrHPuq0Alnv6P1ZtWHKk/s1600/Triglochin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAMhXJ40vKd8Hp_Ug5_fxst0mZjA9Q4IA0Y80EQ6p7kFt0x3-_lVOZgLYaNvY-3rMcQ8dIu10KOYY3crwCkC_WdJOtLiGY7cpVo_5t5y4nfKQo5wDw1IMHYEyRrHPuq0Alnv6P1ZtWHKk/s320/Triglochin.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Triglochin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9iMZ_MQ4SGsX8ZtEOU2vFpVBoQzPmOEGHMWDu6BZIsWJphYWjC6rkHVpejaJO5qevD7S2A3W5OcCUhkXMrkBXDhpHKHwf_5-JS7BXv__nqQzmJYbh19pB9lw6FEGJCbLwbn48geDFAHD/s1600/Samolus-repens.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9iMZ_MQ4SGsX8ZtEOU2vFpVBoQzPmOEGHMWDu6BZIsWJphYWjC6rkHVpejaJO5qevD7S2A3W5OcCUhkXMrkBXDhpHKHwf_5-JS7BXv__nqQzmJYbh19pB9lw6FEGJCbLwbn48geDFAHD/s320/Samolus-repens.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samolus repens</td></tr>
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The saltmarsh in early summer is a vibrant carpet of green as it is really a seasonal freshwater wetland that is watered by groundwater. In winter the rainfall is slightly more than summer and the evaporation rate is low, so groundwater rises to the surface. At least twenty species of succulents and grasses contest every patch of space. In the saltmarsh, there is even an understorey of miniature species growing below the canopy of small shrubs and herbs. Between the inner saltmarsh and the mangroves is a wide band of tall succulent bushes belonging to the saltbush family.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgv3hDQADiqElhweODsYbUVjyHKGxythPNj0w6Tu41ap2oKbLmQ-68vWHf2h_Rp23AxDCuCnEnlQWyCaFNGCMAxy7DEg9c3ijzGj_1qQgg4Ei0N92J3wbMiEe-w0q2Ocdn3MEravqM-su/s1600/Tecticornia-arbusculoides.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgv3hDQADiqElhweODsYbUVjyHKGxythPNj0w6Tu41ap2oKbLmQ-68vWHf2h_Rp23AxDCuCnEnlQWyCaFNGCMAxy7DEg9c3ijzGj_1qQgg4Ei0N92J3wbMiEe-w0q2Ocdn3MEravqM-su/s320/Tecticornia-arbusculoides.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metre high thicket of <i>Tecticornia arbuscula</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYu6KKrjFpVMiOQYfJjrAJ28yjKxvJfLDUL7fkMseiZBGhc4oPdMWv9drRXiAas62xCaPtgLDKxSu0rCg4ee_MzD46pwHGCIGRNdBm90xrwFqGZ3oUVaLw6IWDdfjC94k9HkwhiU57RnPf/s1600/Tecticornia-arbusculoides-close-up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYu6KKrjFpVMiOQYfJjrAJ28yjKxvJfLDUL7fkMseiZBGhc4oPdMWv9drRXiAas62xCaPtgLDKxSu0rCg4ee_MzD46pwHGCIGRNdBm90xrwFqGZ3oUVaLw6IWDdfjC94k9HkwhiU57RnPf/s320/Tecticornia-arbusculoides-close-up.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of succulent stems of <i>Tecticornia arbuscula</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82Jh0tcz88QA-QTdiDCx7ZpfKiU7lj7vpbl0FRpoYTWKHWsgy775HswOkRdxrHjXFjv58I2YF1YZZA7_XMXa2j9MQpz0n2awuGHNDKiLArgcR6SJ5JL9a1qH0oaFoC_UGcetYYP6nmK_b/s1600/miniature-saltmarsh-daisy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82Jh0tcz88QA-QTdiDCx7ZpfKiU7lj7vpbl0FRpoYTWKHWsgy775HswOkRdxrHjXFjv58I2YF1YZZA7_XMXa2j9MQpz0n2awuGHNDKiLArgcR6SJ5JL9a1qH0oaFoC_UGcetYYP6nmK_b/s320/miniature-saltmarsh-daisy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny flowering daisies grow between triglochin plants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdCsG0xSkD4hjwUHJ3wkXuBmlB1EgecfWcG_tbOiqbjgVYxF9-W1HPs9wqf_IsxO1IEJtnpAGxzA3v322OlheZ3Efz7hHDCvbXUG_SbUOHw5i9AXEQpglL2G1UuXs23i0wH_YosFm91kj/s1600/tiny-saltmarsh-daisys.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdCsG0xSkD4hjwUHJ3wkXuBmlB1EgecfWcG_tbOiqbjgVYxF9-W1HPs9wqf_IsxO1IEJtnpAGxzA3v322OlheZ3Efz7hHDCvbXUG_SbUOHw5i9AXEQpglL2G1UuXs23i0wH_YosFm91kj/s320/tiny-saltmarsh-daisys.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Other tiny daisies are almost all flowerhead</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The best place to see mangroves and saltmarsh in Victoria is at Hastings on the Mornington Peninsula. There is a saltmarsh and mangrove boardwalk which is a few kilometres long and there is also a carefully maintained coastal grassland which also has tracks. Having boardwalks is fortunate as the mangroves are shrubby and as thick as a hedge.<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQjrgEu2gU7ruulbwSWTuwCVxBP6Y8Vr7lfKhYWK7uklD0-CRFIufyyPrtd79sEeobWSivAK7ztYub4wzfEHWCSAD9x17klaKz3a_bHStBOYB-fXQghyjnteG0yEGQcfiySJEnvWC2xD9/s1600/Coastal-grassland.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQjrgEu2gU7ruulbwSWTuwCVxBP6Y8Vr7lfKhYWK7uklD0-CRFIufyyPrtd79sEeobWSivAK7ztYub4wzfEHWCSAD9x17klaKz3a_bHStBOYB-fXQghyjnteG0yEGQcfiySJEnvWC2xD9/s320/Coastal-grassland.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Native coastal grassland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRqQffbeDrqAY8wFIWXvufP0k7IN9VnoLg78B6iUHopADo0Si7A9uHiKCe0vB9DqgHH74jQo2ZE69mJ08yT_POAM9wi4aRufNQTjdDZUmtk4BuEnWEi4XX6oyk7vK2-qPy7-rq6zH2xOw/s1600/Warringine-park-boardwalk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRqQffbeDrqAY8wFIWXvufP0k7IN9VnoLg78B6iUHopADo0Si7A9uHiKCe0vB9DqgHH74jQo2ZE69mJ08yT_POAM9wi4aRufNQTjdDZUmtk4BuEnWEi4XX6oyk7vK2-qPy7-rq6zH2xOw/s320/Warringine-park-boardwalk.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warringine Park Boardwalk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As this part of the
world has cool wet winters, there is a season excess of groundwater
that flows through the sandy soil and emerges within the saltmarsh.
In summer, the groundwater levels fall and the regular 3 m tides can
flood the area with seawater. Hence the plants that are present all
need to be tolerant of salinity. There were no salt pans, however,
which makes this ecosystem markedly different from saltmarshes or
samphire flats in Queensland.<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZS5J0d7Czr3999sHGYYTxrkW_oWsFrJFX9O29XtT0zrjtvluwCyX7yrPU80IjE6ENQ8HJmV6yHhlKIAxrhovCrmrGJJb6VouTX_MzzjfztoVc0WkhuH2_r_iSirAl14hj8ZBZmCAP1EN9/s1600/Warringine-Creek.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZS5J0d7Czr3999sHGYYTxrkW_oWsFrJFX9O29XtT0zrjtvluwCyX7yrPU80IjE6ENQ8HJmV6yHhlKIAxrhovCrmrGJJb6VouTX_MzzjfztoVc0WkhuH2_r_iSirAl14hj8ZBZmCAP1EN9/s320/Warringine-Creek.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With 3 metre tides, the creeks are quite deep yet narrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
In shallow lagoons,
black swans would feed on aquatic plants. Wrens and honeyeaters
would flitter around in the succulents. Birdlife reaches its peak on
the mudflats and seagrass bed beyond the mangroves and thousands of
ducks feed in the shallows.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5Dl5I124PtKGdxX-kyVdLulT2HqutouAPuj_K01xRgIs2LUjX8_OsRh_a5yAnyLgPtwiOD3-jWgDJ-dB_xR7nFtE_npCcqhrh7RBoduQVVVb5sTFyl6A-3zre-CkPV1hmfvjz72J_XnE/s1600/Black-swans-saltmarsh.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5Dl5I124PtKGdxX-kyVdLulT2HqutouAPuj_K01xRgIs2LUjX8_OsRh_a5yAnyLgPtwiOD3-jWgDJ-dB_xR7nFtE_npCcqhrh7RBoduQVVVb5sTFyl6A-3zre-CkPV1hmfvjz72J_XnE/s320/Black-swans-saltmarsh.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black swans feeding on aquatic vegetation (<i>Lepilaena sp.</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrqomh11jESFpx8yjxA64f_WSXp2qWpfdMSAkLrxmVuewKP2o7_sISBMZRmLQBcsUxMsKovN7S0TowdaCxyVCSqzPEtbVJhZuQeoGxTKvR5pvFBZV2YBcR_dOyiGfpOw8Lw73_65KyBT-/s1600/White-ibis-Threskiornis-molucca.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrqomh11jESFpx8yjxA64f_WSXp2qWpfdMSAkLrxmVuewKP2o7_sISBMZRmLQBcsUxMsKovN7S0TowdaCxyVCSqzPEtbVJhZuQeoGxTKvR5pvFBZV2YBcR_dOyiGfpOw8Lw73_65KyBT-/s320/White-ibis-Threskiornis-molucca.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White ibis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2WmJ7dmtFQaicIK-E6Tk1Pm2aw6og7kNWJhGN8DT31W9eKc3HtfgJj4v-tEdb53uUQS99HOARWVbAe5sRrVRWRPwkIPaafS5_hjLfE6zgMC9pAmSugwjRaHV-w0pH4uoMKd9PCFUQz_e/s1600/White-eared-Honeyeater.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2WmJ7dmtFQaicIK-E6Tk1Pm2aw6og7kNWJhGN8DT31W9eKc3HtfgJj4v-tEdb53uUQS99HOARWVbAe5sRrVRWRPwkIPaafS5_hjLfE6zgMC9pAmSugwjRaHV-w0pH4uoMKd9PCFUQz_e/s320/White-eared-Honeyeater.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-eared honeyeater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Crabs species are
very few. There appears to be only 4 species of crab, of which only
one species is abundant. This main species is the semiphore crab and
it occupies all of the niches from sand flats beyond the seaward
fringe to the upper intertidal. It only needs regular seawater
inundation to thrive. It is a surface feeder like fiddler crabs.
Fiddler crabs are conspicuous by the absence and the Queensland mud
crab is also. The other mangrove crabs are opportunistic feeders and
would feed on algae, dead insects and possibly mangrove propagules.
In the adjacent forest, I found fox poo full of crab shells, so the
crabs need to be fast at escaping predators including both native ones like ibis and introduced like foxes.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyKpVQcUml8VEV088CD8y_XOYGDXd-ga9u62an3vPvltZgBpm7brnhLxqmfRjZFRrVlSoYuwTShFieuxCFY4qH4LsILJzBsSvgWayrtjhE0GXaflAN3VGScdajmC2btiQ7_8vpH2C_MYD/s1600/Semephore-crab.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyKpVQcUml8VEV088CD8y_XOYGDXd-ga9u62an3vPvltZgBpm7brnhLxqmfRjZFRrVlSoYuwTShFieuxCFY4qH4LsILJzBsSvgWayrtjhE0GXaflAN3VGScdajmC2btiQ7_8vpH2C_MYD/s320/Semephore-crab.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult semephore crab (<i>Heloecius cordiformis</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iMotfNs3dhuFXw5wSMP6AjT_T5TawDQC6fVV_MW7qERzT6Qwr1MpQgrcLQA4Rf-DJt0wv_r91B8-C_Q1kj4uBhgCm9REhmcfFXG2RB1pMAqLhlPhIxP8KulmNr8LWenx1m3Ew6XSGFI1/s1600/Red-fingered-marsh-crab.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1iMotfNs3dhuFXw5wSMP6AjT_T5TawDQC6fVV_MW7qERzT6Qwr1MpQgrcLQA4Rf-DJt0wv_r91B8-C_Q1kj4uBhgCm9REhmcfFXG2RB1pMAqLhlPhIxP8KulmNr8LWenx1m3Ew6XSGFI1/s320/Red-fingered-marsh-crab.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-fingered marsh crab (<i>Parasesarma erythrodactylum</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tS4JLE-OusethYVUK40bPXylaNRcQljNV-j21HF35yw2wBlscduh_BYGnhDV7lPp-exTDkNuHHFEtTWX4RYaaigOMq2H0cWvCwiSRcZN1HAtP2krIi32u1lYFpoG8-irDqh0KTAtloEf/s1600/Fox-poo-crab-shells.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tS4JLE-OusethYVUK40bPXylaNRcQljNV-j21HF35yw2wBlscduh_BYGnhDV7lPp-exTDkNuHHFEtTWX4RYaaigOMq2H0cWvCwiSRcZN1HAtP2krIi32u1lYFpoG8-irDqh0KTAtloEf/s320/Fox-poo-crab-shells.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fox poo with crab shells in it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Common fish within
the mangroves seem to be limited to yellow-eye mullet and smooth toad
fish. Tiny gobies are present in the creeks but as herons are
abundant, they zoom of rapidly when they see you. Molluscs were also
limited to two species of pea-sized snail that feed on the mud surface.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmg2TwCgosY6MZ2TQ_K8Lx8bHQe4YrYiCJ5H3OMPWuiNTzkUky4spnBIfNtIxFfvM18tV3PqoM6a2ERSY3cpgVxt99ZoRfhOhNcjVJRpCsTrNwiH2jRAV_yiVY-CAC_gwDoJFXcayYqKX/s1600/Smooth-toadfish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRmg2TwCgosY6MZ2TQ_K8Lx8bHQe4YrYiCJ5H3OMPWuiNTzkUky4spnBIfNtIxFfvM18tV3PqoM6a2ERSY3cpgVxt99ZoRfhOhNcjVJRpCsTrNwiH2jRAV_yiVY-CAC_gwDoJFXcayYqKX/s320/Smooth-toadfish.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smooth toadfish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEZQVPBVwPOEoR2ftTv1svkXDLIKJy6uwdvPIeMdfoKb4to-LMsP79SpdAxKEh3asza8WWb-cGvqz20lJx5gfFSuRlOSuvc03HMOaVpjDKKdYJaqnzX4W0LJzptNlRwK1u9JCk28mw8Kz/s1600/Salinator-snails.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEZQVPBVwPOEoR2ftTv1svkXDLIKJy6uwdvPIeMdfoKb4to-LMsP79SpdAxKEh3asza8WWb-cGvqz20lJx5gfFSuRlOSuvc03HMOaVpjDKKdYJaqnzX4W0LJzptNlRwK1u9JCk28mw8Kz/s320/Salinator-snails.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salinator snails</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-s4MvQwiy50h5AQE86S9Q7w39GrFmcayaa_2qFly1ex6g5fyF9LER8hlyGeMQ3ivKqB4_G5RYTLPNByf_qUOOkGUMYa8f09b9BGSjePNrHACQniPU_YBOg1KFDj9UF7KeFmfSQUXBAXrm/s1600/Ophicardelus-+ornatus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-s4MvQwiy50h5AQE86S9Q7w39GrFmcayaa_2qFly1ex6g5fyF9LER8hlyGeMQ3ivKqB4_G5RYTLPNByf_qUOOkGUMYa8f09b9BGSjePNrHACQniPU_YBOg1KFDj9UF7KeFmfSQUXBAXrm/s320/Ophicardelus-+ornatus.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ophicardelus ornatus snails</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In the seaward mangroves,
the lower trunks have barnacles and support a species of gastropod, which
feeds on the algal turf growing at the base of the trunk. The
mangroves look healthy although some places had sooty mold
infestations on the leaves and scale insects. That is a possible
sign of environmental stress.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJopf3_iBv-sN340fRo3iOT-3xU2JR_4JzgkZ02RvCjES4ODQezUv3tkPNmRLXH4U3bqFCJ-rWTFuCzo9rQMu1DaxIQ4ZhbJxmQck1bqgXl0Mgoxx_XDGkbBuWPyBcrjNiW1-6s5CssTB/s1600/Seaward-edge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJopf3_iBv-sN340fRo3iOT-3xU2JR_4JzgkZ02RvCjES4ODQezUv3tkPNmRLXH4U3bqFCJ-rWTFuCzo9rQMu1DaxIQ4ZhbJxmQck1bqgXl0Mgoxx_XDGkbBuWPyBcrjNiW1-6s5CssTB/s320/Seaward-edge.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the seaward fringe, the Avicennia marina mangroves reach about 3-5 m</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKZgXTc3T-L4t3wXiIAl-jTTPARjP3bJWnv-DvywtzM1geqYNqsL1vnOQn5SRPIGwsHcwZ9Hu0nCHd0v-jdDbaKqOu0p7or-s4amrXP4Bwn_rXoBRpSrVrkPXgB3vBC6cwnIvAXiGlxV1/s1600/Barnacles-on-mangrove.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKZgXTc3T-L4t3wXiIAl-jTTPARjP3bJWnv-DvywtzM1geqYNqsL1vnOQn5SRPIGwsHcwZ9Hu0nCHd0v-jdDbaKqOu0p7or-s4amrXP4Bwn_rXoBRpSrVrkPXgB3vBC6cwnIvAXiGlxV1/s320/Barnacles-on-mangrove.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barnacles on a seaward mangrove</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswkjrxBGHHqm5_JsZ5uCRO5TXPTvNiknypznrcYColX3lqVOgVLpe87LuKRGyXDpaRbV-kQWN7twvjxwvfkI-vKtJhFlFF3TQmxvLMc_otDe8a08tsgj9eYmea3GcuYB_im6ALK3mjfSO/s1600/Sooty-mould-on-mangrove.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswkjrxBGHHqm5_JsZ5uCRO5TXPTvNiknypznrcYColX3lqVOgVLpe87LuKRGyXDpaRbV-kQWN7twvjxwvfkI-vKtJhFlFF3TQmxvLMc_otDe8a08tsgj9eYmea3GcuYB_im6ALK3mjfSO/s320/Sooty-mould-on-mangrove.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sooty mold on mangrove leaves, white dots are scale insects</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Beyond the mangroves
are yabby flats and sea grass beds. Wading birds were not present
when I was there in November. Wading birds actually take time to move down
the Queensland coast so appear in Victoria much later than they do in
Queensland. Instead, ducks, herons, cormorants and sea gulls and
black swans were present in numbers.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUPyX87wU2hwCdZ2iG2qJi3NOEV-9MnkA41fYMOxtHY5nTqpNxYIQps7Iqb5a5MhwkvvU9ivwrrzqhzJl3OV4DWgJagUhFqeW548MN2uZ8w5a2NmovAK27o1Yldj8uUj8WLasp4UivIhX/s1600/Seagrass-flats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUPyX87wU2hwCdZ2iG2qJi3NOEV-9MnkA41fYMOxtHY5nTqpNxYIQps7Iqb5a5MhwkvvU9ivwrrzqhzJl3OV4DWgJagUhFqeW548MN2uZ8w5a2NmovAK27o1Yldj8uUj8WLasp4UivIhX/s320/Seagrass-flats.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seagrass beds are exposed at low tide</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiQwstIz8eJOwCv7U4kdcbRuO_xYj3RnWU6p73rSxmWAak1cyICEFxp6wMbJFLG0M8934BGoe51D9vcUMrjF4A1G7Np1Lc6rqkH1hYYwTOJeLaQtUhniKOJRd9qJcg4ih4brJn8quuDjL/s1600/ducks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiQwstIz8eJOwCv7U4kdcbRuO_xYj3RnWU6p73rSxmWAak1cyICEFxp6wMbJFLG0M8934BGoe51D9vcUMrjF4A1G7Np1Lc6rqkH1hYYwTOJeLaQtUhniKOJRd9qJcg4ih4brJn8quuDjL/s320/ducks.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ducks grazing in seagrass meadows</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The sand flats are
soft and you quickly find yourself knee deep in sediment. Dead
bivalve shells are abundant within the ground and over the surface.
The seagrass beds trap a layer of warm water at low tide and I wonder
if this helps the biota escape from the cold for time. Staying
upright whilst moving through the soft ground of the seagrass beds
was difficult and in the few metres I could survey, I did not find
any fauna.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIp5tAD8XCB95Uo7MiwQc8bU5WoAlIkX5d1n9NsxrfEit7538PvmiBzatwelFawBftpcEHI59xag39Ukf6ZOvRty_RZ3WpmD57HuKUVxEmAqXp69cTNmCLg4uq3hMBCEaZsfA4YvyuUnec/s1600/marine-yabby-holes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIp5tAD8XCB95Uo7MiwQc8bU5WoAlIkX5d1n9NsxrfEit7538PvmiBzatwelFawBftpcEHI59xag39Ukf6ZOvRty_RZ3WpmD57HuKUVxEmAqXp69cTNmCLg4uq3hMBCEaZsfA4YvyuUnec/s320/marine-yabby-holes.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The marine yabbies are so abundant, they made the ground soft</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLi5Nq8MOvSCGKsUiO3k90SILdhADXz9vdy-IPBFT-EYOMW5gmXRmMq8qnAJO2lYxCNpbkGeAwEPrYUzMkg-jQSaPoafywkGXp2plOYIHae8lCtgBsmK8QyY20uwqEi-BnUNy-3QM-HZ4C/s1600/pipi-shells.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLi5Nq8MOvSCGKsUiO3k90SILdhADXz9vdy-IPBFT-EYOMW5gmXRmMq8qnAJO2lYxCNpbkGeAwEPrYUzMkg-jQSaPoafywkGXp2plOYIHae8lCtgBsmK8QyY20uwqEi-BnUNy-3QM-HZ4C/s320/pipi-shells.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stingrays bring old shells to the surface when the make hollows</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVQGkxgTpymvJrujEP06-hMX4Ht65ZoaD90ATtt7Dj0hhP10Nm_g9116P4xPO8J5T53bXBnEAO0Q0La9JkeJObmBRxR9eYjWbU9NLiEuqxk2xOH3tI0FSHkOigu07DsvbrjpMv0k8A61D/s1600/Zostera-seagrass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVQGkxgTpymvJrujEP06-hMX4Ht65ZoaD90ATtt7Dj0hhP10Nm_g9116P4xPO8J5T53bXBnEAO0Q0La9JkeJObmBRxR9eYjWbU9NLiEuqxk2xOH3tI0FSHkOigu07DsvbrjpMv0k8A61D/s320/Zostera-seagrass.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underwater photos of the seagrass bed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Deeper in Western
Port Bay, there must be substantial populations of fish as near the
boat ramps, were dozens of large fish skeletons. Giant seagulls pick
away at them.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0UVDDRn9CfVaHhxCarGb-7sXQrjLyY1K0FOTr8ba-bvgywA0XNKqJdb-CUjBYCbLF9CzYWBAHxUw3AcF_mu6wpxlpIiEvBfHzfYFPAYCmStaKCCniSlgDQ9SVsnABfgPF1l3RYM9cuLY/s1600/Pacific-gull.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0UVDDRn9CfVaHhxCarGb-7sXQrjLyY1K0FOTr8ba-bvgywA0XNKqJdb-CUjBYCbLF9CzYWBAHxUw3AcF_mu6wpxlpIiEvBfHzfYFPAYCmStaKCCniSlgDQ9SVsnABfgPF1l3RYM9cuLY/s320/Pacific-gull.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Pacific Gull - these things are seriously over-engineered</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com340A Warranqite Cres, Hastings VIC 3915, Australia-38.321624056246677 145.19449316406246-38.37144705624668 145.11381216406247 -38.271801056246673 145.27517416406246tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-6189856510232178552018-11-02T20:16:00.000-07:002018-11-02T20:16:19.090-07:00Volcanic Reefs of Mission Beach<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
At Mission Beach are some unique rocky reefs of volcanic origin.
Local volcanoes produced a very fluid lava that spread across the
landscape in long streams. One of these streams created Clump Point,
a finger of land which juts almost a kilometre into the sea. On
aerial photos, other lava flows are easily identified including a few
that are partially or fully submerged. Old lava flows are also hidden
two metres below the tourist trampled white sand of Mission Beach.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdyleTqdgoltjJ7mIiJrxCFCnMsA4_rIfzP9IyyojHdLxf6XldWbUKGH6o4iu5aZ3kMItj-_QvCR16J4re5hMDHNQtJY7UP8PxKFKloL_8BB3efXgeU2jJiXH4UZhzdYLn5rYhGImE7ci/s1600/Pelicans-on-a-lava-dyke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdyleTqdgoltjJ7mIiJrxCFCnMsA4_rIfzP9IyyojHdLxf6XldWbUKGH6o4iu5aZ3kMItj-_QvCR16J4re5hMDHNQtJY7UP8PxKFKloL_8BB3efXgeU2jJiXH4UZhzdYLn5rYhGImE7ci/s320/Pelicans-on-a-lava-dyke.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pelicans resting on a lava flow, a few hundred metres from shore</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This post looks at a
pillow lava reef which was five kilometres out to sea. This rocky
reef probably breaks the surface far more than it is submerged. There
is no beach and no terrestrial vegetation, only a hectare sized patch
of black rocks. It is very hot and not very interesting unless you
are a biologist. Even then, you want to study this place properly
the first time so that you do not have to come back. Surrounding the
reef is a sandy seabed and the margins of the reef have a hedge of
sargassum. Coral is not to be seen.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGQLLy8XOZ4pyn0Jf7D7lOfr5613LaaI00n89MeOEsnV6ZTbBFQI6ZA-kN1jKB6HNpEdUXmoP7lY2BqyKZOir28cZHmHDQvbqiCiOQTXCtiVEtHE0LFuN8E-YtHbj6GkAH3oC9kAZIGgZ/s1600/Pillow-lava.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGQLLy8XOZ4pyn0Jf7D7lOfr5613LaaI00n89MeOEsnV6ZTbBFQI6ZA-kN1jKB6HNpEdUXmoP7lY2BqyKZOir28cZHmHDQvbqiCiOQTXCtiVEtHE0LFuN8E-YtHbj6GkAH3oC9kAZIGgZ/s320/Pillow-lava.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lava reef is five kilometres from shore</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANIJH2vJoD4MD7rWXs02KvxSGRCk5YwABxVVLqI1QmV2q6KH9d-JBhmccEMWZb_dGgSlDO_5BDYYAMKKB39pCtKovykCimex2Fm6jvBPspPYEC1RyKn8UIKUoXP_qp-4du0ddepPEI_6U/s1600/Edge-lava-flow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANIJH2vJoD4MD7rWXs02KvxSGRCk5YwABxVVLqI1QmV2q6KH9d-JBhmccEMWZb_dGgSlDO_5BDYYAMKKB39pCtKovykCimex2Fm6jvBPspPYEC1RyKn8UIKUoXP_qp-4du0ddepPEI_6U/s320/Edge-lava-flow.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The edge of the old lava flow has sargassum and is surrounded by a sandy bottom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
When you stand and
stare long enough, you realise that this reef has a rich diversity of
algal turf grazers. Fish, crabs and snapping shrimp battle for
territories of turf. Blennies would attack and drive off much larger
crabs. Crabs with heavy nippers would become frustrated with trying
to clip the turf and would push their faces into the turf to chew it
off directly. Even snapping shrimps would graze the turf using their
larger nippers like shears with long, thin, lightly built arms
darting over the surface picking up bits and pieces.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOv7qQNgPPXXsnPklz9S0mhIOsvg0I8n5B7o_x1WLTXUUMmpAX0YqP3jv-zNXDWVF6Qm0Y48xsyjdUNs4N1WSsPtRImEVzUbbIv-N-jmgCRze63_cnTpzl0GqVX4wblw9Oum3TaxnyO-nN/s1600/Grazing-snapping-shrimp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOv7qQNgPPXXsnPklz9S0mhIOsvg0I8n5B7o_x1WLTXUUMmpAX0YqP3jv-zNXDWVF6Qm0Y48xsyjdUNs4N1WSsPtRImEVzUbbIv-N-jmgCRze63_cnTpzl0GqVX4wblw9Oum3TaxnyO-nN/s320/Grazing-snapping-shrimp.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This snapping shrimp was cropping algal turf with the big nipper and picking at it with a skinny green nipper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-UtBl_Zs-Z9q-GpGP2hnyqPKk50KMJf6HOv0b9YJjfupmAkrcMR8dfO6BIOzzuE6bcZ_aKUIOeTrxBbMzQtpxo5fWmz-nEH2AEFcHlxJ27saBn-epRjFkHSbuHcBjshBZotZhyCEN98f/s1600/Hairy-crab-Pilumnus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-UtBl_Zs-Z9q-GpGP2hnyqPKk50KMJf6HOv0b9YJjfupmAkrcMR8dfO6BIOzzuE6bcZ_aKUIOeTrxBbMzQtpxo5fWmz-nEH2AEFcHlxJ27saBn-epRjFkHSbuHcBjshBZotZhyCEN98f/s320/Hairy-crab-Pilumnus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A common hairy crab - <i>Pilumnus vespertilio</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /><br />
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzmvo1f1S9ZFI2nQ8dEQHMfoLB7ls425PKBLjU6admBhuQ0sE9eo-TG6mTq5fg0FCbPOWbI_-IXJrx6njp6hcGEMzk5CxX_0ennVt7C5Ary1TDfXT9IfMRjkAC1KK4pt8-NP54Iw_dAxq/s1600/Grazing-crab-Charabdis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzmvo1f1S9ZFI2nQ8dEQHMfoLB7ls425PKBLjU6admBhuQ0sE9eo-TG6mTq5fg0FCbPOWbI_-IXJrx6njp6hcGEMzk5CxX_0ennVt7C5Ary1TDfXT9IfMRjkAC1KK4pt8-NP54Iw_dAxq/s320/Grazing-crab-Charabdis.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A swimming crab grazing with its mouth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicc7k9_9C4Em4aYk4xpfMrZu2m2VE-fP3UhtJGacsmzgiIw-S_-J4cy6zmbygSyY-MtXBcZ5CcGUO-sSTbKXWkNdd4uU3tyq5WHRmAuhehUOT0J_NFTqmR5OlAjy7DbHd9MzklupHcmMcJ/s1600/Grazing-crab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicc7k9_9C4Em4aYk4xpfMrZu2m2VE-fP3UhtJGacsmzgiIw-S_-J4cy6zmbygSyY-MtXBcZ5CcGUO-sSTbKXWkNdd4uU3tyq5WHRmAuhehUOT0J_NFTqmR5OlAjy7DbHd9MzklupHcmMcJ/s320/Grazing-crab.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another type of hairy crab grazing with its nippers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Large, heavily built
crabs consume molluscs, both oysters and many gastropods that would
normally assume the grazing role. Oysters were limited to exposed
edges where water flow would be better and predator access more
limited. Only a few neritas and cowries were on the basalt reef.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjO9-GzJyH0sbHEqxQZ7ocYD7rOtmtDaY-mJ210YQ-uNa54PqDCa85ihgf5W6iPlMeJNpf9J8c2vzOP7vhyHQmpvIFmMQpwXshudKnWaqR5KO7OGuHvcqn4OwKZX1w2wEvLh9ROGzMoa-G/s1600/Crab-Ozidae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ozius truncatus" border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjO9-GzJyH0sbHEqxQZ7ocYD7rOtmtDaY-mJ210YQ-uNa54PqDCa85ihgf5W6iPlMeJNpf9J8c2vzOP7vhyHQmpvIFmMQpwXshudKnWaqR5KO7OGuHvcqn4OwKZX1w2wEvLh9ROGzMoa-G/s320/Crab-Ozidae.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A black finger crab is able to crush strong sea shells</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
On a nearby reef trochus shells were present. The nearby reef
was a different geology, possibly a contact zone rock which was
melted by the lava flow, then re-solidified. Corals also performed
much better on this substrate.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinU4kWiFTEYz-ChMZirQfQYjXsXKa2Ox-xAVRJ0Hw93I1aP0S09wHNaMh3p3mPIGQWn2RSs3DElgTy9KD6tyJIyyp4LXJ0D54iC00g4VpIEq4Cs-hyYW7kD63QmPEAIoXoOy3dgRkqFVUo/s1600/Trochus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinU4kWiFTEYz-ChMZirQfQYjXsXKa2Ox-xAVRJ0Hw93I1aP0S09wHNaMh3p3mPIGQWn2RSs3DElgTy9KD6tyJIyyp4LXJ0D54iC00g4VpIEq4Cs-hyYW7kD63QmPEAIoXoOy3dgRkqFVUo/s320/Trochus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trochus shell in pocket in rocky reef</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCpjCAKkoNM9_CRndob3TdfqYG-ef7R85SX-FFMKj51F_Ft3eie5IZgNf3mGJ5TCzx7YNlGt1fvi9yqJGtgKLSGnoXUhqp6NQNYBVcxHuK2KhpAf9f06RfV1qqYCT4sxvDdA80RRIOOP5/s1600/Trochus-underneath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCpjCAKkoNM9_CRndob3TdfqYG-ef7R85SX-FFMKj51F_Ft3eie5IZgNf3mGJ5TCzx7YNlGt1fvi9yqJGtgKLSGnoXUhqp6NQNYBVcxHuK2KhpAf9f06RfV1qqYCT4sxvDdA80RRIOOP5/s320/Trochus-underneath.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The underside of the same shell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwAI6lcbPkkbQJLpSns-Kj3v7SkbfVIVcRal5EBRUiO_1OcJcYiFU7OhVrqEGMZCrYUKAgYNDFVD1ivGSlP9uswVImIHCcyIspd-MPkLgau0YLIllM4-a8un6lAF1ArNLM19l5Bz_Mp9K/s1600/Contact-zone-rocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwAI6lcbPkkbQJLpSns-Kj3v7SkbfVIVcRal5EBRUiO_1OcJcYiFU7OhVrqEGMZCrYUKAgYNDFVD1ivGSlP9uswVImIHCcyIspd-MPkLgau0YLIllM4-a8un6lAF1ArNLM19l5Bz_Mp9K/s320/Contact-zone-rocks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rocky reef that is probably contact zone rock, rather than basalt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Volcanic features
such as dykes and cliffs of solidified ash are present on nearby
islands and on the mainland. At the bottom of one of these cliffs was
a rock shelf which was only just inundated at high tide. On this
shelf was a very shallow pool and a few rocks, fallen from the cliff.
It was a particularly nasty place, intensely hot and saline. Yet when
I looked, most of the stones were surrounded by a wide black halo. I
also had the feeling that something was hiding behind one of the
stones. I walked around the stone about five times and didn’t see
anything but could hear frantic splashing. The only way to find out
was to lift and remove the rock. A few crabs ran off but there were
several large gobies stranded in a film of water too shallow for them
to swim in. Apparently this species chooses to live in this habitat,
a tiny area of the very worst aquatic habitat I could find. I love
finding exotic creatures in places were nothing should be able to
survive.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYRhruSxrDhF0b2NORrqn_4vLweTYmJ-ETkFalPZ6M90jod79VWt6LO4tgzMs7jZgIA70f11i_ZSFEuRtXa-GMUVbMM7Az760T8Ybs1ycITS74dFcBFuMsEv5nXHZhcc88NnEYy-2PnvC/s1600/Bathygobius-fuscus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYRhruSxrDhF0b2NORrqn_4vLweTYmJ-ETkFalPZ6M90jod79VWt6LO4tgzMs7jZgIA70f11i_ZSFEuRtXa-GMUVbMM7Az760T8Ybs1ycITS74dFcBFuMsEv5nXHZhcc88NnEYy-2PnvC/s320/Bathygobius-fuscus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dusky Frill Gobies in very shallow water on a rock platform </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuE1Q0-f_zpWC2peaKd26GZ7yn7ax38XdBUZqAKX6zvGgrJgMpyypTapqEkYt8T3iPH5H9rimpTVONCGRDPVVb7VUu3mIbpTytmWWm3yHGR7RxJ1qWLl4_4oDKRoxz_5k0rfjdPOrF93r/s1600/Fish-hiding-place.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuE1Q0-f_zpWC2peaKd26GZ7yn7ax38XdBUZqAKX6zvGgrJgMpyypTapqEkYt8T3iPH5H9rimpTVONCGRDPVVb7VUu3mIbpTytmWWm3yHGR7RxJ1qWLl4_4oDKRoxz_5k0rfjdPOrF93r/s320/Fish-hiding-place.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rock I lifted to see the fish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQn4y3Ef92sRKiMRC3InxCB23eDqZrDAVbyuHLn_DiQ3pZIIbYd4xUAA5HMk4RXlTCOfI_SCM7UY_Wov08nsr_XD2c1Vr7X5PJRMgIciHj3F37UkmmNd3ItpF_sMajUJPkKL3V3RCPuPTL/s1600/Hot-shallow-rockpool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQn4y3Ef92sRKiMRC3InxCB23eDqZrDAVbyuHLn_DiQ3pZIIbYd4xUAA5HMk4RXlTCOfI_SCM7UY_Wov08nsr_XD2c1Vr7X5PJRMgIciHj3F37UkmmNd3ItpF_sMajUJPkKL3V3RCPuPTL/s320/Hot-shallow-rockpool.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wider view of platform of compressed volcanic ash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com0Deeral QLD 4871, Australia-17.744598257344919 146.16228535888672-17.80508675734492 146.08160435888672 -17.684109757344917 146.24296635888672tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-61003088088818462262018-09-26T22:31:00.003-07:002018-09-26T22:31:44.663-07:00Mossy Mangroves in the Daintree<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Moss does not usually grow on the ground in mangrove swamps. In fact
there seems to be only one species of marine moss. Whilst, I lack
the expertise to officially identify this moss, I have found mangrove
forests in the Daintree, where the forest floor is carpeted with
moss.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYD-YFK32eyxcsY_P450ed0l8_jDWi_C0AqPw_b6MudKqyuCcFhyPAGcO1xkd7JJs-p7WZOwYFdK-MUwfBq1cMoxqFIWAg8u1JOUTxd9idL2IPYYArw4DDQ6LgoIeXZBOakcUngDim8FI_/s1600/Mossy-ground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYD-YFK32eyxcsY_P450ed0l8_jDWi_C0AqPw_b6MudKqyuCcFhyPAGcO1xkd7JJs-p7WZOwYFdK-MUwfBq1cMoxqFIWAg8u1JOUTxd9idL2IPYYArw4DDQ6LgoIeXZBOakcUngDim8FI_/s320/Mossy-ground.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangrove moss, possibly <i>Taxithelium merrillii</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wmDjwd1gJuS9nqXTOrMcbnhw64e8kfokSw26GSN_xlRjxVjnqfJZlLB15i8-hLW-ZJsDBueKU1uktD8W9cU28_ekmSh-FyP56gkEvNYDVvS6R5JihoLlCCRhPyKh9QOmQoWAuqcEX9e3/s1600/Mangrove-moss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wmDjwd1gJuS9nqXTOrMcbnhw64e8kfokSw26GSN_xlRjxVjnqfJZlLB15i8-hLW-ZJsDBueKU1uktD8W9cU28_ekmSh-FyP56gkEvNYDVvS6R5JihoLlCCRhPyKh9QOmQoWAuqcEX9e3/s320/Mangrove-moss.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moss-like algae is common in the mangroves but the sporangia show that this is really moss.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The mossy ground is
in the back swamps, where the ground level is high and conditions are
almost terrestrial. Only the tree species reveal that these areas
are of mangrove character and not rainforest. The ground is more
soil than mud and crabs are scarce. Buttress roots from Looking
glass mangroves meander across the ground for several metres around each
tree. Stands of these trees create a ground-level maze for the
forest's smaller creatures. Scrub fowl scratch and poke around among
the roots. Above in the canopy are giant basket ferns. It is like
an alien ecosystem.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTT7aiBoX6L_0eHmFyXYhO1gZmyq2ko8D-owIiOEWiKNXkhSOBpVPcydkqx8GqUITA6cr-4oKBVvkQKYNQlqrKEkEblqU_3E-GbTuz0W2a21KFB_TCJ9umYo-eG0CTP8HXrut68d71gzyK/s1600/Scrub-fowl-mangroves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTT7aiBoX6L_0eHmFyXYhO1gZmyq2ko8D-owIiOEWiKNXkhSOBpVPcydkqx8GqUITA6cr-4oKBVvkQKYNQlqrKEkEblqU_3E-GbTuz0W2a21KFB_TCJ9umYo-eG0CTP8HXrut68d71gzyK/s320/Scrub-fowl-mangroves.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scrub-fowl are as large as roosters and buttress roots are far larger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_lLMFXH4-1c4cICu3SMzlyZh4RGJYDhYtdD5VilDAnz9KEFkJCi69hDtXC8txp7zOQidWKn87XjjgcflkWqZY5HCHlxwhb-xHS_R8WjTj2fQUhvfCbNPk4NpWPXehatqRyQj_lOGEFvs/s1600/Heritiera-littoralis-buttresses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_lLMFXH4-1c4cICu3SMzlyZh4RGJYDhYtdD5VilDAnz9KEFkJCi69hDtXC8txp7zOQidWKn87XjjgcflkWqZY5HCHlxwhb-xHS_R8WjTj2fQUhvfCbNPk4NpWPXehatqRyQj_lOGEFvs/s320/Heritiera-littoralis-buttresses.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the buttresses are as high as a man and twist across the forest floor for 10 m.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpDlWCW4bjpzzzvgFvQ9L6763NBHeFQlkKlkgEPHRiMl4ja6RTFzknvwdSK8xm-4cBNHbucDwYA8Dp1Tww8nhd4RdCwsqXOZktWoLCubh8ZG_EjzgBVA3MVhY58bRWmjBNJ5L6R1iYnig/s1600/Large-Looking-glass-Mangrove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpDlWCW4bjpzzzvgFvQ9L6763NBHeFQlkKlkgEPHRiMl4ja6RTFzknvwdSK8xm-4cBNHbucDwYA8Dp1Tww8nhd4RdCwsqXOZktWoLCubh8ZG_EjzgBVA3MVhY58bRWmjBNJ5L6R1iYnig/s320/Large-Looking-glass-Mangrove.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In peak condition, Looking glass mangroves are one of the tallest species.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This unique mossy
habitat is only 50 m wide and perhaps a kilometre long. It is
probably only found near the Daintree River although it may also be
present in the coastal regions of our wetter northern neighbours.
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bTqUCqwOOmqK8AdnkfG-2evoogrVsBnYrhqp8JuR5tRjRNCvjTOFq8XgQWjgTrGW4tlz2GKDljv5SXuyTdrliF-NXze2O5dbNp2rz6EyDepnWpCb9gMrA_w9whkK8gZrr3Fg8FFeTxle/s1600/Heritiera-littoralis-forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bTqUCqwOOmqK8AdnkfG-2evoogrVsBnYrhqp8JuR5tRjRNCvjTOFq8XgQWjgTrGW4tlz2GKDljv5SXuyTdrliF-NXze2O5dbNp2rz6EyDepnWpCb9gMrA_w9whkK8gZrr3Fg8FFeTxle/s320/Heritiera-littoralis-forest.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This band of forest is the only mangrove forest where really large buttresses were the dominant root structure.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vB2YUXPzz0BM-9MGHiKezRUKJRpRs5d9H-wx6SXsf41eILjVvsyNe_U4L38JlCL3FWGG7CXeCEUl5CJWxZeMAlV4f7MaTnKntCKouk75Rmqsa11Fxmdf3ild1U_KaNdqL7d_XySUAZqG/s1600/IMG_3878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vB2YUXPzz0BM-9MGHiKezRUKJRpRs5d9H-wx6SXsf41eILjVvsyNe_U4L38JlCL3FWGG7CXeCEUl5CJWxZeMAlV4f7MaTnKntCKouk75Rmqsa11Fxmdf3ild1U_KaNdqL7d_XySUAZqG/s320/IMG_3878.jpg" title="Heritiera littoralis forest" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost a kilometre away, this intriguing stand continued.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9wl4aJI_wEyaVqQC-pASknOpcCnQ0FOqFvViZe7KpYOgTBU1plk1nV1d1MZtFMyAPrr30wgu8u1V22Jx6x-2U6CPszHjgbRJbyG1to_7lukxwNJySKpM3s98QRO58mwCdjuEuG8TPhZ-/s1600/Crinum-pedunculatum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9wl4aJI_wEyaVqQC-pASknOpcCnQ0FOqFvViZe7KpYOgTBU1plk1nV1d1MZtFMyAPrr30wgu8u1V22Jx6x-2U6CPszHjgbRJbyG1to_7lukxwNJySKpM3s98QRO58mwCdjuEuG8TPhZ-/s320/Crinum-pedunculatum.jpg" title="Crinum (Mangrove Lily) growing in mangroves near Daintree River." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where the stand transitions into mangroves, a thick understorey of mangrove seedlings was present.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Further up the
Daintree River is a freshwater mangrove swamp. Even though the water
in this area would be fresh enough to drink for most of the year, it
is still tidal. During droughts the freshwater dwindles and
sometimes these areas are exposed to full seawater. These events are
tolerated by the freshwater forests and their fauna. I suspect that
the mud is always close to saturation and does not absorb much
saltwater. Often the small amount of freshwater that persists also
forms a protective film on the surface of the river. One consequence
of not having seawater inundation is that the animals that feed on
what the tide leaves behind are absent and creek banks are often
smooth and almost devoid of crab holes. Only crabs that feed on
fallen leaves are present and in very fresh areas, even these are
usually absent. The fish are more exciting and I have previously
written about the <a href="http://queenslandcoast.blogspot.com/2018/03/fish-spawning-in-big-wet.html" target="_blank">fish that choose to live in these habitat</a>s.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TspheiW_myaZMfPFSaT7B5Z72Q0sAbjfFFgSUcu72n3ecDJRe7nzjyYWo-Nhf6-FUSwlmy05s4SZmpp0PUZtYzDfClm_MYS9eqLTTj5OBnbvpBGE2eEHydiiOvzPrNNicLD_uXrJ7sSU/s1600/Upper-Daintree-riparian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TspheiW_myaZMfPFSaT7B5Z72Q0sAbjfFFgSUcu72n3ecDJRe7nzjyYWo-Nhf6-FUSwlmy05s4SZmpp0PUZtYzDfClm_MYS9eqLTTj5OBnbvpBGE2eEHydiiOvzPrNNicLD_uXrJ7sSU/s320/Upper-Daintree-riparian.jpg" title="Tidal forest on upper Daintree River" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freshwater tidal area with red <i>Sonneratia </i>mangroves and River Cherry trees.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILmLwHkI5A4-ZyC2qhBl0C8dJxEa68Wu_4w4QL7RDLhKNyQNr6cOBobaR96IqL6JCSr1JDlr5szVzsSUuscEmyD2ZdYrsYNDmH957zfu9ly0kVIr9AhhglNeYrtLvNw7v1moSeqp8Nu9C/s1600/Tidal-River-Cherry-Forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILmLwHkI5A4-ZyC2qhBl0C8dJxEa68Wu_4w4QL7RDLhKNyQNr6cOBobaR96IqL6JCSr1JDlr5szVzsSUuscEmyD2ZdYrsYNDmH957zfu9ly0kVIr9AhhglNeYrtLvNw7v1moSeqp8Nu9C/s320/Tidal-River-Cherry-Forest.jpg" title="River cherry forest on Daintree River " width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River cherries, Barringtonia mangroves and sedges grow in a tidal forest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJdMBlAFg2q1ZJvE_0DYNZXXNaDLNL_09mczSs_MflqZ9YjNnM3i5InK27eE63rrPj3MwXS00RB98xqHUtYU8dd7WGmKuNs7Y8-nG0O06MWEIgGUqbMJlUT7L-zeEgX1qgVGry3IWfxno/s1600/Sonneratia-caseolaris-pneumatophors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJdMBlAFg2q1ZJvE_0DYNZXXNaDLNL_09mczSs_MflqZ9YjNnM3i5InK27eE63rrPj3MwXS00RB98xqHUtYU8dd7WGmKuNs7Y8-nG0O06MWEIgGUqbMJlUT7L-zeEgX1qgVGry3IWfxno/s320/Sonneratia-caseolaris-pneumatophors.jpg" title="Sonneratia caseolaris breathing roots" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the river, the breathing roots can be as tall as a man.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Where the
surrounding landscape has not been converted to agriculture, these
brackish and tidal freshwater reaches are as extensive as the
seaward edge of the mangroves. In most areas, only traces of this
habitat remain.</div>
<br />Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com1362 Cape Tribulation Rd, Lower Daintree QLD 4873, Australia-16.26152393000752 145.39894562406312-16.269145430007519 145.38886062406311 -16.253902430007521 145.40903062406312tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-8851401363609770352018-03-10T20:37:00.000-08:002018-03-10T20:47:26.452-08:00Fish spawning in the big wet<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">
The day after the
2018 March deluge stopped, the local stormwater drain was full of
fish. Not just any fish but strikingly colourful fish. These fish
had come to spawn. They are all native fish that are usually brown,
but on this day they were dressed up to impress. Two species were
putting on a show, snakehead gudgeons and empire gudgeons. Snakehead
gudgeons, not to be confused with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmU7etSYYqI" target="_blank">Asian snakeheads</a> or fishzilla, are
a native Australian fish of mangrove estuaries.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWPiUaQ3rqiI7UbgkrZRq3J79hJPHHDwvIdrgMAHYslk4NxCVKwvpR-3AvhwT-5FwzKhqcUqk50QVlKUVLLqMvLFxccRNIJq0Pb_a_KUdzQfh4LiwZuuajysyICWvdq3JUTzdOYtySqbN/s1600/snakehead-gudgeon-courting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Giurus margaritacea" border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWPiUaQ3rqiI7UbgkrZRq3J79hJPHHDwvIdrgMAHYslk4NxCVKwvpR-3AvhwT-5FwzKhqcUqk50QVlKUVLLqMvLFxccRNIJq0Pb_a_KUdzQfh4LiwZuuajysyICWvdq3JUTzdOYtySqbN/s320/snakehead-gudgeon-courting.jpg" title="Giurus margaritacea" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The females were fat with eggs and males where brightly coloured (click to zoom)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzjZvUfiPgiEMD-JDL51r1LiufCjxAs3iwPn1yWnP6zJK4zk-NHLN_JDevSwnx7E-BM71boXQvzwt7DX1eLTt0qweOM4HNuJbhEcu-aO-QZ9tr7B5CtE5OcK2N2QQDsTPo840ZxQ2bdHa/s1600/snakehead-gudgeon-pale-male.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Giurus margaritacea" border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzjZvUfiPgiEMD-JDL51r1LiufCjxAs3iwPn1yWnP6zJK4zk-NHLN_JDevSwnx7E-BM71boXQvzwt7DX1eLTt0qweOM4HNuJbhEcu-aO-QZ9tr7B5CtE5OcK2N2QQDsTPo840ZxQ2bdHa/s320/snakehead-gudgeon-pale-male.jpg" title="Giurus margaritacea" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pale snakehead with bright ventral fins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The snakeheads
gudgeons slowly circled in the main pool with males showing their
colour to the females. There were two males and each time one made a
move toward the girls, the other would approach and swim beside the
first male to make sure that the girls knew he was there too. I did
not see any fighting and the boys sometimes followed the girls and
vice-versa. It was speed dating in slow motion and eventually the
girls decided who was best.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4bk81gW_W9BO_4xZ6mJiJtp1Cr_A6zOSff8UgJH22BapNFZ5JmNTG3RbqEZ6D9qf3x5tpBs5fP4FMwJRerJZeHodZac69VRjjRysowq4P4aHSC-DJhBK742rN78IDJVvkDtOmYTIVt5c/s1600/gudgeon-chosing-a-mate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Giurus margaritacea, courting" border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4bk81gW_W9BO_4xZ6mJiJtp1Cr_A6zOSff8UgJH22BapNFZ5JmNTG3RbqEZ6D9qf3x5tpBs5fP4FMwJRerJZeHodZac69VRjjRysowq4P4aHSC-DJhBK742rN78IDJVvkDtOmYTIVt5c/s320/gudgeon-chosing-a-mate.jpg" title="Giurus margaritacea, spawning" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two males trying to entice a female to their corner of the pond</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Around the edges of
the pool were bright red male empire gudgeons. At about 8 cm long,
they were so full of confidence, that they were even approaching the
25 cm long snakehead gudgeons, which annoyingly had large patches of
red. By the afternoon the empire gudgeons were gone, probably having
expended themselves, they had ceased displaying. Their colours would have
back to mostly brown although the keep their red head.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHMnmz5QOzp7ThZpvbbuDK25N9lc2tE8UwSDJF5R20qmacaxU0XclP3CMrU8MwOOEHOzWJB7O0FTcvFHJKHkj2SjbanbVAl5ZOPkk2IYN3U7ydQyydY9qNkNAdlf6zWD-wK-iWzssCqbj/s1600/empire-gudgeon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hypseleotris compressa, male in breeding colours" border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHMnmz5QOzp7ThZpvbbuDK25N9lc2tE8UwSDJF5R20qmacaxU0XclP3CMrU8MwOOEHOzWJB7O0FTcvFHJKHkj2SjbanbVAl5ZOPkk2IYN3U7ydQyydY9qNkNAdlf6zWD-wK-iWzssCqbj/s320/empire-gudgeon.jpg" title="Hypseleotris compressa" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male empire gudgeon displaying on wall of drain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Surprisingly, the
drain was almost empty before the deluge. Only a few rainbow fish
(<i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Melanotaenia splendida)</span></i>
had colonised since the wet reestablished a persistent pool at the
outlet of the drain. In dry years, the drain can be dry for most of
the year. During the wettest years, it can flow for most of the year
and can support a diverse freshwater fish community of a dozen
species. Being above normal tidal limits, the water within the drain
is completely fresh, unless an extreme tide pushes in. Paperbarks
and beach hibiscus line the drain and the beach hibiscus have grown
long trailing roots into the flowing water, which now form a thick
mat that the migrating fish have to negotiate.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheCujSmr2Lc2jDZn4H2q9yy42u2HOX4e39T3Lup4ALzTGLQTIQtBjIGd9iTOdy_hF5O58Fw-0Xo-hvEmGsQfUFmK3oA3Q4bikywUsBxdMupv1OqPq6fpdVIozYQDy0bIRs7HOaErbLq6D/s1600/Hibiscus-root-mat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheCujSmr2Lc2jDZn4H2q9yy42u2HOX4e39T3Lup4ALzTGLQTIQtBjIGd9iTOdy_hF5O58Fw-0Xo-hvEmGsQfUFmK3oA3Q4bikywUsBxdMupv1OqPq6fpdVIozYQDy0bIRs7HOaErbLq6D/s320/Hibiscus-root-mat.jpg" title="Beach hibiscus" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hibiscus tiliaceus</i> creates deep root mats in flowing freshwater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSkLqpubCdei9ocWBVVdl9_gb4HS7mkimKGGlmHKO3n-kE4OODriS-4Is73ENHTM-FWYFp-EHvAKZqHcM6hNTAbSlXVNlHSiyCeQN0h0VO6ZNfa7MJ65KGW3ore03IKgEAD655sNAOgKs/s1600/snakehead-gudgeon-resting-in-root-mat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Giurus margaritacea close-up of head" border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSkLqpubCdei9ocWBVVdl9_gb4HS7mkimKGGlmHKO3n-kE4OODriS-4Is73ENHTM-FWYFp-EHvAKZqHcM6hNTAbSlXVNlHSiyCeQN0h0VO6ZNfa7MJ65KGW3ore03IKgEAD655sNAOgKs/s320/snakehead-gudgeon-resting-in-root-mat.jpg" title="Giurus margaritacea female head" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female snakehead gudgeon resting in the root mat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The drain is
somewhat special. It is near the mouth of a river, so when the
juveniles of freshwater fish are flushed out by floods, they often
attempt to swim up the drain. Originally, before development, there
was supposed to have been a drainage line in much the same position.
Small creeks and drainage lines would once have been common but now
have been replaced by farm drains and urban drains. There are not
many small intact waterways which flow during the wet but dry out and
prevent common freshwater fish such as guppies, tilapia and even
native jungle perch from dominating the ecosystem. Perhaps this
explains the desire for the gudgeons to breed in this waterway. </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XARWuW_bWJhedr82rRAf74fUSSeDRmwRJtv9iy2WGNmCzIoQqJx1v7dCDCWTEaqCxli-OpGwkmpg7kOJjkvmtEnJD2z3_UTUrDzJSvzcGM_wzyyzai25Luo86vXWcc0zW0zuGatd93m2/s1600/stormwater-drain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XARWuW_bWJhedr82rRAf74fUSSeDRmwRJtv9iy2WGNmCzIoQqJx1v7dCDCWTEaqCxli-OpGwkmpg7kOJjkvmtEnJD2z3_UTUrDzJSvzcGM_wzyyzai25Luo86vXWcc0zW0zuGatd93m2/s320/stormwater-drain.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pool where water leaves concrete drain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogpl99oSAIKQkfo5Lh8oOCuxv6z2BL3-G02-nYgnsm3dayi08ok85lZ5ME0ZLxEmK6TJ9axh0x-tu2-bMcP6Q18e678Ee1u7xWZp_MXnpzrPnQpBUXDSDDDe6Z21ZyDhEoHLCu_umzSZa/s1600/Rhizophora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="stilt mangroves" border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogpl99oSAIKQkfo5Lh8oOCuxv6z2BL3-G02-nYgnsm3dayi08ok85lZ5ME0ZLxEmK6TJ9axh0x-tu2-bMcP6Q18e678Ee1u7xWZp_MXnpzrPnQpBUXDSDDDe6Z21ZyDhEoHLCu_umzSZa/s320/Rhizophora.jpg" title="Rhizophora swamp, Cairns" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">25 metres below where the drain emerges,the freshwater flow fans out in a mangrove swamp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In the late
afternoon, I decided to put my underwater compact camera on a pole
and push it below the surface to see if I could get some close up
photos. As I can’t clearly see what the camera is shooting, I use
video, then create stills from the video. It was almost
unbelievable, what the camera recorded. The fish were in the process
of spawning when videoed.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Slfteqcecnc" width="560"></iframe>
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The next day, I went
back to try and get some new shots and the fish were largely gone.
Only two or three snakehead gudgeon were present and they were much
more wary of people and darted for cover. Males of both species were
loitering and hoping for late females, but had lost most of their
colour and enthusiasm. They only consolation was that I was able to
photograph the very tiny eggs (white specs) that had been glued on dead wood the
day before. The video clip shows these very eggs being deposited. Firstly the female glues them to something with the pink appendage and then the male fertilises them (not visible in this clip) using a similar pink appendage.<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MlCTA9cfXhM" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-uYW_1Yv4vmD3Pb-g5mglhmI5np8MkcnJWHzQXXW7B8clHd-MpdXrujcXiNgykU6jvXer5aEsMQ-mfaH7hGxG6_yTWQz-1tKs9kJzfpZVrqqj-ri3z1y3d3YvnVor4ARx4v3085i9Bk6/s1600/snakehead-gudgeon-eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Giurus margaritacea" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-uYW_1Yv4vmD3Pb-g5mglhmI5np8MkcnJWHzQXXW7B8clHd-MpdXrujcXiNgykU6jvXer5aEsMQ-mfaH7hGxG6_yTWQz-1tKs9kJzfpZVrqqj-ri3z1y3d3YvnVor4ARx4v3085i9Bk6/s320/snakehead-gudgeon-eggs.jpg" title="Giurus margaritacea" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny white eggs deposited on a stick</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Whilst I have called
the fish snakehead gudgeons, I am not totally sure as they were
identified using photos from the net. Usually, spangled gudgeons (<i>Ophiocara porocephala</i>) are
the main local species and are of similar size and shape. So few
photos of the fish in their breeding colours are on the net, that
positive identification is difficult. Usually, it is best to review several
sources, particularly authoritative sources before labeling species.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZnLwPK2u6aYpDcq7-fBaXke6mUncqD5DGMEL9otFzBegsWMfmo9M7ypEqAj3l-ZzeY-0Kc21lDyy__ITPLQjpFvhxggUXDhnpv7deSw_-0gksqUfuxT890wAeGWHRP3LVFjs1ffhaNid/s1600/Spangled-gudgeon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZnLwPK2u6aYpDcq7-fBaXke6mUncqD5DGMEL9otFzBegsWMfmo9M7ypEqAj3l-ZzeY-0Kc21lDyy__ITPLQjpFvhxggUXDhnpv7deSw_-0gksqUfuxT890wAeGWHRP3LVFjs1ffhaNid/s320/Spangled-gudgeon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spangled gudgeon usually hunt around this area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com1Marshall St, Machans Beach QLD 4878, Australia-16.844961215289132 145.74578246113288-16.905753215289131 145.66510146113288 -16.784169215289133 145.82646346113287tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-62659208318681326452018-02-26T15:39:00.001-08:002018-02-26T15:39:42.940-08:00When the Great Barrier Reef was a land of hills and trees
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
There is a great
deal of academic research being conducted into how and when
Aboriginal people arrived in Australia. The one be assumption is
that people arrived when sea levels were at their lowest, to as much
as 130 m below present levels during glacial periods. Lower sea
levels reduced the gaps between land masses and are thought to have
made island hopping much easier. At these times, all of the coral
reefs we know today would have been on land. The Great Barrier Reef
was a chain of limestone hills. All of this was only 10000 years
ago. This transformation between terrestrial ecosystem into marine
fires the imagination. What would it have been like to wander in a
landscape where coral reefs were hills? There places on earth where
it is possible to do so today. One of those places is the coast of
Papua New Guinea. </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDWZ-3EXf64gXc2x0F0HmHDURKGu0ngJXx-_Buqn6EFMxQjfimhaNFwUlj8GbSeRg2iCKAcnHoPc6PBGJbrePUoIjzSty3ZjhC8HHs58bYI3tb_N95KJcDX5F9bkzNMWGTMq-KsLtw00Y/s1600/gbr_changes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="570" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKDWZ-3EXf64gXc2x0F0HmHDURKGu0ngJXx-_Buqn6EFMxQjfimhaNFwUlj8GbSeRg2iCKAcnHoPc6PBGJbrePUoIjzSty3ZjhC8HHs58bYI3tb_N95KJcDX5F9bkzNMWGTMq-KsLtw00Y/s320/gbr_changes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diagram from <a href="https://www.skepticalscience.com/print.php?r=376" target="_blank">Sceptical Sciences </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
On
the southern coast of PNG, at a place called Bluff, which is in Gulf
Province near Kerema there are a few uplifted coral reefs which are
morphologically similar to the reefs of the present day Great Barrier
Reef. The headland of
Bluff is one such old coral reef. It is formed of dense coral rock where
the detail of the polyps has been lost. Caverns run through the
headland.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qDr4YsFILPjaW0c5PtOm8f7frjDquprIhRHltO5E-GQzp09Y2uZ7QPtmhJ5hc2rLA6Ad8JlbvnB1RPIVrpQQcZDMGQjkVQEytWVt1tKVAjsN2QB3oep88SFX5HKi4q2tKYruYxn3jkHs/s1600/Bluff-headland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qDr4YsFILPjaW0c5PtOm8f7frjDquprIhRHltO5E-GQzp09Y2uZ7QPtmhJ5hc2rLA6Ad8JlbvnB1RPIVrpQQcZDMGQjkVQEytWVt1tKVAjsN2QB3oep88SFX5HKi4q2tKYruYxn3jkHs/s320/Bluff-headland.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This headland has a legend about a battle between a hunter and boar.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIe9MM5a9KqdMnfv0w2sPF8q4bgQqn8oTvzyCCYYLnzOCNqOYRXRCzvj8vPm0QULa1GiA1EoanXcfulM0wMeGePxtVUKraaNeKEapRlS0GVWMRCtjnnm-7f214ZLqXn9TBp0WEz100w3N/s1600/caves-in-Bluff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIe9MM5a9KqdMnfv0w2sPF8q4bgQqn8oTvzyCCYYLnzOCNqOYRXRCzvj8vPm0QULa1GiA1EoanXcfulM0wMeGePxtVUKraaNeKEapRlS0GVWMRCtjnnm-7f214ZLqXn9TBp0WEz100w3N/s320/caves-in-Bluff.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the caverns which face the sea and are partially filled at high tide</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pxLeudIyoplkHfT0or4RUnOdD7q8vHkfoyTfINBTvO_MHXG2rwT8VpJjKszyIxZNK_JYu-8PjNpahOsHXTThb5isqxEiqE7ZsbBTaqdova5PP5FpN5q0j_KYcqDmuxILPRgLxDvN7hmg/s1600/Rock-with-embedded-anemones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="889" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pxLeudIyoplkHfT0or4RUnOdD7q8vHkfoyTfINBTvO_MHXG2rwT8VpJjKszyIxZNK_JYu-8PjNpahOsHXTThb5isqxEiqE7ZsbBTaqdova5PP5FpN5q0j_KYcqDmuxILPRgLxDvN7hmg/s320/Rock-with-embedded-anemones.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not much detail in the rock, mainly live embedded sea anemones</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
To the north of
Bluff is a low linear plateau with coral reef and rubble slopes on
its southern end. Gulf Province is a land of large rivers that pump
out stupendous quantities of sand and mud and looking now, I think
the plateau is formed mainly from mud stone or argillite with a
veneer of coral.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdubaykawwwruEd54GQzm1Ec4G-taaxsw4Gs8ErcqukhaLsnOVW1CGqzEqIofTIJkddL4Lry-y9aXNKCR0nU_NzQJrrI9AKoepa8h82dAzta2dcWSgpdvWlaZZRXZt24A17Vk5jqvvKxKj/s1600/waterfall-bluff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdubaykawwwruEd54GQzm1Ec4G-taaxsw4Gs8ErcqukhaLsnOVW1CGqzEqIofTIJkddL4Lry-y9aXNKCR0nU_NzQJrrI9AKoepa8h82dAzta2dcWSgpdvWlaZZRXZt24A17Vk5jqvvKxKj/s320/waterfall-bluff.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall from top of plateau, which is only about 20 m high.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Gulf Province has
about 9 m of rain each year and the land is sparsely settled area of
swamps and heavy jungle. The plateau is the only raised land for
several kilometres. No-one lived there although springs on the side
of the hill did provide drinking water for local villagers. </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHsQ0QGc0Ok6zt7MVFAXQH9BY9hxXrVkBYi4cY62RNspz5m9xVnnMK4mIIp1J-sX6n3W-395YUObcOv409OKDnGCpOmM9SK1iI_sYPk9NhqgMY3HojXjHetNQxgqBSrzixUK2KCi832kB/s1600/Kerema-waterfront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHsQ0QGc0Ok6zt7MVFAXQH9BY9hxXrVkBYi4cY62RNspz5m9xVnnMK4mIIp1J-sX6n3W-395YUObcOv409OKDnGCpOmM9SK1iI_sYPk9NhqgMY3HojXjHetNQxgqBSrzixUK2KCi832kB/s320/Kerema-waterfront.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfront at Kerema 2012, plateau visible in background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The southern end of
the plateau has sides covered with coral rubble which often has well
preserved polyps. </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAqjPq_mofB5nAJul5cDbU6J-a3JLS5Lxzj4pCcNSMnhszkEf9RbbmFtz4kZgpzk4l2JZmEmTbDjy8Tk6yJmRvf7nfvc-Zj6sQU2A8LwQwVT7J75Qfntp0HiMo5qR3Z_W7w3vMNiegzg-/s1600/coral-colony-in-jungle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAqjPq_mofB5nAJul5cDbU6J-a3JLS5Lxzj4pCcNSMnhszkEf9RbbmFtz4kZgpzk4l2JZmEmTbDjy8Tk6yJmRvf7nfvc-Zj6sQU2A8LwQwVT7J75Qfntp0HiMo5qR3Z_W7w3vMNiegzg-/s320/coral-colony-in-jungle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coral colonies are clear visible</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKvLON44iMlIow1O0s_Ipf7TmUM4K648eIPV3EIyQYwc9wN5dc5UuEz2DBYUqdESGKhVnu-s0lpl2okBT_a7iFWuQyJZzz9OY0OogkOowup6XnfB7s0U3vCS1gZJaBP3cQICR5ivpUPCx/s1600/coral-rubble-in-rainforest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKvLON44iMlIow1O0s_Ipf7TmUM4K648eIPV3EIyQYwc9wN5dc5UuEz2DBYUqdESGKhVnu-s0lpl2okBT_a7iFWuQyJZzz9OY0OogkOowup6XnfB7s0U3vCS1gZJaBP3cQICR5ivpUPCx/s320/coral-rubble-in-rainforest.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coral rubble from beside drinking water spring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-KYWOn1Qnj44WYflEWX9_HzxonkraSB5_PiayMdDdD_QSYJ0s7sPDrSbERbq0fgn57_z1EzNVU071YFegnkVvoWbqWbwrRnne9Jq-fRCdBHl85-60zGLQ2DFNopo40ZKXcH1sXrlA5c2/s1600/coral-boulder-beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-KYWOn1Qnj44WYflEWX9_HzxonkraSB5_PiayMdDdD_QSYJ0s7sPDrSbERbq0fgn57_z1EzNVU071YFegnkVvoWbqWbwrRnne9Jq-fRCdBHl85-60zGLQ2DFNopo40ZKXcH1sXrlA5c2/s320/coral-boulder-beach.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ancient coral colonies become boulders on the beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
On the western face
of the plateau are some small caves and grottos. After squeezing
into one grotto, I found that I was less than a metre from a rather
deadly looking snake. I later identified it as a viper boa and not a
viper. Viper boas are a type of boa, like a python but as they have
live young are a boa and not a python. </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfi8bAIBgsQeQNEXQ9LQiqfV-rRB5nlhdsjQtExmOZsF9yP2kRi3RThgub36AS8GRy_5YP24YrKDA4ueZoorLPunbVH_DVaqIOz8dqS_dDUkEqVajPvZLxdD-18LcBhJ88VaK1pNLjDH6/s1600/uplifted-grotto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfi8bAIBgsQeQNEXQ9LQiqfV-rRB5nlhdsjQtExmOZsF9yP2kRi3RThgub36AS8GRy_5YP24YrKDA4ueZoorLPunbVH_DVaqIOz8dqS_dDUkEqVajPvZLxdD-18LcBhJ88VaK1pNLjDH6/s320/uplifted-grotto.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to a grotto which opens up inside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClDwCzVnAmaKbO9sXGXuQt6C1LYiLMabkmIRauWNbirOhVcq5QqinBJqBGM17aunTDVcLiIHjPiBzOEKz7hkhdnunlCeyJj0tKFElv4TOeSHviJByPjLAURu-_iUZyy_dzBeKWZI9q1Bi/s1600/Candoia-aspera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClDwCzVnAmaKbO9sXGXuQt6C1LYiLMabkmIRauWNbirOhVcq5QqinBJqBGM17aunTDVcLiIHjPiBzOEKz7hkhdnunlCeyJj0tKFElv4TOeSHviJByPjLAURu-_iUZyy_dzBeKWZI9q1Bi/s320/Candoia-aspera.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A viper boa was inside (<i>Candoia aspera</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Also in caves were
enormous cave crickets. They were lined up on the ledges and scurried around when I got close.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXQ-00pwDzGrMc1hJeHL2zh_i7g1V0Gcv_3Ui13WFiBLawunNpWi9168tkbli47zRVX5PcbpGMlYtiP0-bo4WqCNn3XyYROWU9lVMACGKgu2IZRAGHqcIhF4J_pnXVoqtODlSNL_NtP9P/s1600/cave-crikets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1179" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXQ-00pwDzGrMc1hJeHL2zh_i7g1V0Gcv_3Ui13WFiBLawunNpWi9168tkbli47zRVX5PcbpGMlYtiP0-bo4WqCNn3XyYROWU9lVMACGKgu2IZRAGHqcIhF4J_pnXVoqtODlSNL_NtP9P/s320/cave-crikets.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The limestone nature
of the hills was clear from the cave features such as shawls that
were developing in larger caverns.<span id="goog_1300570394"></span><span id="goog_1300570395"></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyj80CTiY_gBbvXBmcaV6EA6wWG78-tdlBeW_PKRCqdFs8lC2JhpNdyBQgNbDSmC228hX3O-Z8vRQWMdgyNfXLVyz1pmlyF4CF04Qu5jQAeV_IsG0HtwNFJp-qSpiqwkQ5GuJNXbwz5aNi/s1600/cave-shawl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyj80CTiY_gBbvXBmcaV6EA6wWG78-tdlBeW_PKRCqdFs8lC2JhpNdyBQgNbDSmC228hX3O-Z8vRQWMdgyNfXLVyz1pmlyF4CF04Qu5jQAeV_IsG0HtwNFJp-qSpiqwkQ5GuJNXbwz5aNi/s320/cave-shawl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com0Unnamed Road, Papua New Guinea-7.9501376050074741 145.6536322726563-8.0759486050074738 145.4922707726563 -7.8243266050074745 145.81499377265629tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-19008701518302430552018-02-14T16:04:00.000-08:002018-02-26T15:03:33.975-08:00Wildlife of Clairview and St Lawrence<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clairview and St
Lawrence are important habitats for larger creatures such as koalas,
greater gliders, possums, goannas, emus and a wide variety of
wallabies but these creatures are not easy to find. The area is on
the threshold for many wildlife species and they occur only in the
better pockets of land or at low densities. It is easier to find
smaller creatures that can live in smaller patches habitat. Wetlands
and watercourses are where the action is.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQl43S53S9JkCOlULN_HaitHdlueIJUC_wQNptmSRl7SeJxpAnreBqNnRlivgeKz6u9gTkF09S6JRymDrXjEkh2QGsuzRcU1ieS0890fMnE47JLwvkDJ2f0OFWPZYqbeqhkBISmFH9v-69/s1600/Koala-possum-scratches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQl43S53S9JkCOlULN_HaitHdlueIJUC_wQNptmSRl7SeJxpAnreBqNnRlivgeKz6u9gTkF09S6JRymDrXjEkh2QGsuzRcU1ieS0890fMnE47JLwvkDJ2f0OFWPZYqbeqhkBISmFH9v-69/s320/Koala-possum-scratches.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roadside tree with koala and possum scratches (click to zoom in)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx84yT2fJFyZhW1-9RAB3n-5Z3OvrbWdfJVsD5Hqj5pO6UY6TilQOzecus9g6XRRRxVxw2nTxRdHb2rEiLRU5IVePM31MQuzzx8CVVYqmGWXq8RNboxpZpKnfxe6PbwlqGqhUlrLtaqg2/s1600/Brushtail-possum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx84yT2fJFyZhW1-9RAB3n-5Z3OvrbWdfJVsD5Hqj5pO6UY6TilQOzecus9g6XRRRxVxw2nTxRdHb2rEiLRU5IVePM31MQuzzx8CVVYqmGWXq8RNboxpZpKnfxe6PbwlqGqhUlrLtaqg2/s320/Brushtail-possum.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A brushtail possum in BarraCrab Caravan Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
At Clairview, at the
southern end of the beach past the caravan park is a tidal creek with
large colonies of fiddler crabs on the adjacent flats about 100 m out
from the beach. There are two main species, a large species with hot pink
nippers and green backs and a small species with a grey-white nipper.
The smaller species makes up for lack of colour by waving so
frantically that the crabs sometimes bounce across the ground. It is
a great place for kids to discover a few wild creatures and perhaps
even catch some. </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-pV8x-JUXpWPDnw3cO7lb3FPGyKEdjfN_SpZRTzHH4F8PtPb2ucyGeG6928lBLlsACHzvlDUc6LtKVHSCm8pifVCk5gMboFf5XKjXetEI0J1e4n9T6lneNhnXwxmT1tKowiKaC_7rev2/s1600/Creek-at-Clairview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-pV8x-JUXpWPDnw3cO7lb3FPGyKEdjfN_SpZRTzHH4F8PtPb2ucyGeG6928lBLlsACHzvlDUc6LtKVHSCm8pifVCk5gMboFf5XKjXetEI0J1e4n9T6lneNhnXwxmT1tKowiKaC_7rev2/s320/Creek-at-Clairview.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiddler crab colonies are on side opposite this large mangrove</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oHnFRu4a9yzdZwP_HiRM3FUmc4NE7koFA4GUA1jj9FIRQ2P2iJK5adoLRIvo3hT6pwh7NqmfYm-mGEHqBV45sXjeuuGO1xmSXuj7p1MIa9cBwDfQ2wbs2mRY-L-wIdkspdVfJ8TQdkDw/s1600/Uca-seizmella-colony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8oHnFRu4a9yzdZwP_HiRM3FUmc4NE7koFA4GUA1jj9FIRQ2P2iJK5adoLRIvo3hT6pwh7NqmfYm-mGEHqBV45sXjeuuGO1xmSXuj7p1MIa9cBwDfQ2wbs2mRY-L-wIdkspdVfJ8TQdkDw/s320/Uca-seizmella-colony.jpg" title="Uca seismella" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Uca seismella</i> - little white bouncing fiddler crabs are on the lower bank</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU97mdFMHe-RzPOiffr0kk93LvydgR8dHxgm4Fc-dmC1c5b9H30MxPBstGYFJZvwwCFC7e3V6ZxIjkJQtjakN5HVnHHqfTSAUQhsr8qFDnjUZdDD2jkpfEzubB0dJEYGJQl_sXLY2orRh/s1600/Uca-vomeris-Uca-polita.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU97mdFMHe-RzPOiffr0kk93LvydgR8dHxgm4Fc-dmC1c5b9H30MxPBstGYFJZvwwCFC7e3V6ZxIjkJQtjakN5HVnHHqfTSAUQhsr8qFDnjUZdDD2jkpfEzubB0dJEYGJQl_sXLY2orRh/s320/Uca-vomeris-Uca-polita.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two-tone fiddler crabs (<i>U. vomeris</i>) and smaller pink fiddler crabs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEFPp9LSzP98OJT74o99R6O9ypvHrKzRAbeHXm1R5hk7fyV6_gIfgh_WPV0j-XdPAesAyaBFJY_QtEcCSoAIzSwtEelkSEvz-3gEuol-gc12N1lnHjPqSZgx0kfORL-0RztmSCZ3I-Sdj/s1600/Uca-polita.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEFPp9LSzP98OJT74o99R6O9ypvHrKzRAbeHXm1R5hk7fyV6_gIfgh_WPV0j-XdPAesAyaBFJY_QtEcCSoAIzSwtEelkSEvz-3gEuol-gc12N1lnHjPqSZgx0kfORL-0RztmSCZ3I-Sdj/s320/Uca-polita.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink fiddler crab - <i>Uca polita</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1klN1iYJrk9kxYtwdD7kpv5ZufhUp0SPWDo50q9fZI8I7D4yKk6IF13LyEhxKCSZt3-3liEileV26OoQmJjGTMpKQt9SVOdALNfePnieyrNHnlJuuBYGEwNb517JUauN0IGeAC-nyJV7/s1600/Metapograpus-latifrons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1klN1iYJrk9kxYtwdD7kpv5ZufhUp0SPWDo50q9fZI8I7D4yKk6IF13LyEhxKCSZt3-3liEileV26OoQmJjGTMpKQt9SVOdALNfePnieyrNHnlJuuBYGEwNb517JUauN0IGeAC-nyJV7/s320/Metapograpus-latifrons.jpg" title="Metapograpsus frontalis" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near the mangroves are red climber crabs (<i>Metapograpsus frontalis</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Male fiddler crabs
have one large nipper for demonstrating their power and a tiny nipper
for feeding. Very rarely a crab will have two large nippers.
Finding one of these is the Queensland equivalent of finding a four
leaf clover and I found one at Clairview. In forty years, I have only seen four such crabs.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The fiddler crabs
that dominates the banks of St Lawrence Creek are a different
species, one which prefers salt pans to the intertidal mud flats.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_uoCeBkDXGW042uM878ogAI44uNXhhod6-ueERihC4ZjrXpLj3ktNJmxHhI1O7H8uYgSGi5KfEhOwFhap5FhKJjN3GndTj2jZOd4St-D-ggCYuwrt4Nqr5djNz1voPzevKNgYUZ-8wP2/s1600/Uca-signata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_uoCeBkDXGW042uM878ogAI44uNXhhod6-ueERihC4ZjrXpLj3ktNJmxHhI1O7H8uYgSGi5KfEhOwFhap5FhKJjN3GndTj2jZOd4St-D-ggCYuwrt4Nqr5djNz1voPzevKNgYUZ-8wP2/s320/Uca-signata.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Uca signata</i> (click to enlarge)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
If you are lucky to
be present when the tide is rising and filling the creek out from the
beach, you may see popeye mullet. These strange fish swim with the
eyes above water so that they can see predatory birds. The lower
part of their eye has differently shaped optics so that they can see
underwater. If the tide is out, the bottom of the creek is filled
with fine soft silt that perfectly records the prints of a multitude
of mostly unseen creatures including sea turtles, gropers, giant mud
skippers, mud crabs and much more. Working out which creatures made
which prints can be a challenge.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVa1au0vLsw0VyEE6UENwx9N1WdSHX79XMYyac0ALPX0OiMm2r0XCO76HneFSTUNHmfqa9QmNva4Yn18Rcc3cP2DYjyVN86n8U8n7rOKLqL1F26GGxSzwzQUUON5jc2MvpJoWksPKzMvLK/s1600/Pop-eye-Mullet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVa1au0vLsw0VyEE6UENwx9N1WdSHX79XMYyac0ALPX0OiMm2r0XCO76HneFSTUNHmfqa9QmNva4Yn18Rcc3cP2DYjyVN86n8U8n7rOKLqL1F26GGxSzwzQUUON5jc2MvpJoWksPKzMvLK/s320/Pop-eye-Mullet.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pop-eye mullet in St Lawrence Creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Unfortunately, the
popeye mullet are not reliably present and chances of seeing these
strange fish are better in St Lawrence Creek, which flows past the
town of St Lawrence and is about 20 km from Clairview. Clairview is
an old volcanic area and has low hills of volcanic origin, whereas St
Lawrence is located in an ancient coal basin, filled with deep
sediments. Despite their spatial proximity Clairview and St Lawrence
are in different bioregions, which are the ecological equivalent of
countries. The climate, landforms and geology differ enough that
different groups of species dominate. At Clairview the eucalypts
have green foliage and close to St Lawrence the foliage is usually
grey. The boundary is diffuse being about 10 km wide and there is no
sudden change. </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ESuPV8o-1irrIBkyUEKFDxeN-mrhSK7uIQgqE7Mf4F09ACXknwgfVQSCBnG1nwWe8q_I7Rwi0Ft0Q8bJefbt_YBjIwsL9rzKPLzIBRDEjk5JFQLxk-ShBOtFJ0q3GOHbbb_xys2qN9wl/s1600/Eucalyptus-crebra-juvenile-foliage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ESuPV8o-1irrIBkyUEKFDxeN-mrhSK7uIQgqE7Mf4F09ACXknwgfVQSCBnG1nwWe8q_I7Rwi0Ft0Q8bJefbt_YBjIwsL9rzKPLzIBRDEjk5JFQLxk-ShBOtFJ0q3GOHbbb_xys2qN9wl/s320/Eucalyptus-crebra-juvenile-foliage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colour of ironbark leaves near St Lawrence</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Coal basins are full
of fine mobile sediments. St Lawrence Creek is more like liquid mud
that water and it is no wonder that popeye mullet with there ability
to look above the water to see where they are are so abundant.
Another fish that revels in liquid mud is the blue mud hopper, which
is a relative of the mud skipper. This muddy world is alien and worthy of a visit. </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFZwkqB9TtabLPQmUbhCZiun2AaDyt291EAOc2qv8d_BhX_IaZOCjwuaMJTPgS5EZj3pEtInwod_kyJduSutxPYwNL4_YVKv8Dwb27nxVp5Xh9XIAjqpV0SvymnozKGDm2YQg9VMaKRuj/s1600/mudskipper-blue-mudhopper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFZwkqB9TtabLPQmUbhCZiun2AaDyt291EAOc2qv8d_BhX_IaZOCjwuaMJTPgS5EZj3pEtInwod_kyJduSutxPYwNL4_YVKv8Dwb27nxVp5Xh9XIAjqpV0SvymnozKGDm2YQg9VMaKRuj/s320/mudskipper-blue-mudhopper.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small mudskipper (left) and a blue mudhopper (right)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In only 8 km, St
Lawrence Creek which becomes tidal at the highway, increases from a
few metres wide to approximately 500 m wide and with 8 m tides, has
swirling waters and standing waves caused by racing tides. The Styx
River, which is only 20 km away has tidal bore, a wave up to 1 m high
caused by the rush of the incoming tide. Unfortunately this river is
inaccessible and it is quite possible St Lawrence Creek also has
dramatic incoming tides. Only some tides have strong bores but these
are predictable. Perhaps the combination of soft ground and violent
tides creates these strange creeks which are a metre wider for every ten
metres downstream. </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexrpS6xGuKpq0eEOBisCbXhIeRXcuCAtHDp_gkrAHs5HIT2oqVmuKqF1H3CW2bECeMHuahSoLh6P8EA91FrOtTxeg32j4SvLMnu-toaPzKBLNhpYRsoKEEdbbVXvQt_1D1UbYtglEYmfv/s1600/St-Lawrence-Creek-upper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexrpS6xGuKpq0eEOBisCbXhIeRXcuCAtHDp_gkrAHs5HIT2oqVmuKqF1H3CW2bECeMHuahSoLh6P8EA91FrOtTxeg32j4SvLMnu-toaPzKBLNhpYRsoKEEdbbVXvQt_1D1UbYtglEYmfv/s320/St-Lawrence-Creek-upper.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Lawrence Creek just beside Bruce Highway is about 10 m wide</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7zcpT1keHmm1ViQ979PnLUFkJotnmZTuSeNie1P9B9wDgEqWijzL9GhSnQdcLh_EkBqX9OC1eBl_DtCyRYCnVCzov4mwc4wceHVbr082UR9EQ0LPqtmKA5kgkfP5IAY5Q_OWZO-1Vcwg/s1600/St-Lawrence-Creek-at-St-Lawrence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7zcpT1keHmm1ViQ979PnLUFkJotnmZTuSeNie1P9B9wDgEqWijzL9GhSnQdcLh_EkBqX9OC1eBl_DtCyRYCnVCzov4mwc4wceHVbr082UR9EQ0LPqtmKA5kgkfP5IAY5Q_OWZO-1Vcwg/s320/St-Lawrence-Creek-at-St-Lawrence.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Lawrence Creek is 500 m wide, only 8 km downstream</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
St Lawrence is
famous for wetlands and waterbirds. The small seasonal creeks also have their own fauna which is adapted to floods and droughts. However, it is the marine
environment that interests me. I want to see and understand the
biodiversity of the muddy waters, a largely ignored scientific
frontier.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TjoVF4pEnETilbyEWwC62auBtnt3BCYDEdBrdkb0nYykvGW1h8rCDOCXeQbovm5e15QX88rhN_Q8whcv1QehVc-UluPN2jDTQPZJ3IhWWJXucVzpdu7074nsl1ka_Pm8g0TUPRwqZLvb/s1600/Moulted-freshwater-crab-shells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TjoVF4pEnETilbyEWwC62auBtnt3BCYDEdBrdkb0nYykvGW1h8rCDOCXeQbovm5e15QX88rhN_Q8whcv1QehVc-UluPN2jDTQPZJ3IhWWJXucVzpdu7074nsl1ka_Pm8g0TUPRwqZLvb/s320/Moulted-freshwater-crab-shells.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where pipes run under the highway, there are often moulted crab shells</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquvjE-nnPFaSwQ35fdYZPxqzd3DJ6sSQ4xfOcpZeooJY-GBXbRzb_6JTMHnL32lxMj6vDr0lfIqeG34Noy2DqmUZghNoG4XXsYGd1hR3i-jj9IH1jglg4Ib3PKWexLsRv_uD-sa-ZgDmQ/s1600/Freshwater-crab-Clairview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquvjE-nnPFaSwQ35fdYZPxqzd3DJ6sSQ4xfOcpZeooJY-GBXbRzb_6JTMHnL32lxMj6vDr0lfIqeG34Noy2DqmUZghNoG4XXsYGd1hR3i-jj9IH1jglg4Ib3PKWexLsRv_uD-sa-ZgDmQ/s320/Freshwater-crab-Clairview.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A freshwater crab caught in a drain beside the highway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
See also: <a href="http://queenslandcoast.blogspot.com.au/2017/03/postcard-from-clairview-central.html" target="_blank">Postcard from Clairview</a><br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com0Unnamed Road, St Lawrence QLD 4707, Australia-22.126253721888883 149.54537159570327-22.243972221888882 149.38401009570327 -22.008535221888884 149.70673309570327tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-21276648196982260902017-12-15T17:41:00.002-08:002017-12-15T17:42:36.278-08:00Coastal Coral Reef at Cape Tribulation<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
When the tide goes
out near the famous tourist location of Cape Tribulation in tropical
Queensland, reef flats and coral platforms are exposed. However
these reefs at first sight appear to be mostly dead and some
explanation is needed. The short answer is that these reefs
flourished more than 5000 years ago when sea level was about one
metre higher than it is today. After sea level feel to its present height, the top of the
reef was about 80 cm above the level required for coral growth and coral cover was lost from the top of the reef. The mystery is why the reef platforms are still there
at all after 5000 years of battering by rough seas from trade winds
and cyclones.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQn3qjycUPcs8xkTc2HPqQ2-fIu2PuGeUwZr7NZALA0qrg5GZYgopwciPq70vpKhlFJZv2YV4aZ_4lzkYKIEOmjgPOsGR5w8znF47JGHm51DO84hqjs8048v_5_hlnsYoT06fxyXV9ihgY/s1600/Coral-reef-platform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQn3qjycUPcs8xkTc2HPqQ2-fIu2PuGeUwZr7NZALA0qrg5GZYgopwciPq70vpKhlFJZv2YV4aZ_4lzkYKIEOmjgPOsGR5w8znF47JGHm51DO84hqjs8048v_5_hlnsYoT06fxyXV9ihgY/s320/Coral-reef-platform.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some areas have a wide flat platform</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrF5nuqGrH3OP7_rwSH2dpDxThiIMTJNpaIYrXqMDzQ5bKOqMPCIEG01G0s2JepcT3-pKhcxypxfqjbyktbtk3Xj1LZ0Twvtn8_dXgqCFBEF8HgrCOJ9fOTqZSrmZLanz82NP-Aq8nnb_/s1600/Cape-Tribulation-Reef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrF5nuqGrH3OP7_rwSH2dpDxThiIMTJNpaIYrXqMDzQ5bKOqMPCIEG01G0s2JepcT3-pKhcxypxfqjbyktbtk3Xj1LZ0Twvtn8_dXgqCFBEF8HgrCOJ9fOTqZSrmZLanz82NP-Aq8nnb_/s320/Cape-Tribulation-Reef.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fissures and porous reef absorb waves and no waves swashed over the top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Emmagen Creek is the
best place to observe these old reefs, however almost all sections of
coastline near Cape Tribulation have well developed reefs. Corals
are still present in the fissures of the reef and on the reef slope.
In fact these reefs hold the record for coral diversity on the Great
Barrier Reef nd have even more coral species than the best of offshore
reefs. In the order of 175 species of coral have been recorded.
However most of what is visible is a yellow brown surface riddled
with holes and coated with algae and sediment. It is opposite of an
attractive coral reef.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgMGzY9fORqJxxgxbDboEPImcBoEya7eJzeSuPO6Hlr40IxmzZNQE3qrRK82fV2xJicdsbRKGP6YwmrlGPqtj6FEEJeyMLtTgq1aYJ_LlBEgPTqY2xs7pjhCKuyq53x6KPmqsnHdsohsF/s1600/Emmagen-Reef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgMGzY9fORqJxxgxbDboEPImcBoEya7eJzeSuPO6Hlr40IxmzZNQE3qrRK82fV2xJicdsbRKGP6YwmrlGPqtj6FEEJeyMLtTgq1aYJ_LlBEgPTqY2xs7pjhCKuyq53x6KPmqsnHdsohsF/s320/Emmagen-Reef.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In some areas there are shallow enclosed lagoons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The coral matrix is
about 7 metres thick and is so porous that swells can flow into the
reef. Twenty five metres back from the edge, I could hear the reef
beneath my feet breathing, it sound like a sleeping baby. The reef
platform is quite strong, although occasional thin sections can break
underfoot causing me to lose some skin. Deep fissures surge with
swells and even in the middle of the broad reef, I could not see the
bottom through the clear waters. I am keen to investigate this
underwater world, however it will likely have hazards including jellyfish
which often concentrate in fissures and even moray eels and
crocodiles which could be inconvenient. In one of the fissures, I
observed large fish being attended by a cleaner fish.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVTDxbLtQEU9PQc7hhavLGkCtIFsR6EzJWozbQOoFaZ49BLk25MvJYLLtt3vjTVF5Sv5Wh_LDICLO6xQGKf6QneKAXa6_GxhmSCtKGHyLYooodl9uf-24pBngrf_rSpZ31HUEtcfeU9Dv/s1600/Fish-cleaner-station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVTDxbLtQEU9PQc7hhavLGkCtIFsR6EzJWozbQOoFaZ49BLk25MvJYLLtt3vjTVF5Sv5Wh_LDICLO6xQGKf6QneKAXa6_GxhmSCtKGHyLYooodl9uf-24pBngrf_rSpZ31HUEtcfeU9Dv/s320/Fish-cleaner-station.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A large fish at a clearer station in the middle of the reef platform</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WyEliXoKdtLUnXDvNQiYCv0NC27JmoNsW5cmAl_obApLfNciQtj0x1M94J4r4Jvig4Gme8v9_zImkbBCWtgisACYWs50PlfDiAL8dl2c0OUM4WuxIF7eYUICRG0uFoHgXLQSK1KrWigO/s1600/Coral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WyEliXoKdtLUnXDvNQiYCv0NC27JmoNsW5cmAl_obApLfNciQtj0x1M94J4r4Jvig4Gme8v9_zImkbBCWtgisACYWs50PlfDiAL8dl2c0OUM4WuxIF7eYUICRG0uFoHgXLQSK1KrWigO/s320/Coral.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Live corals fill the deep fissures</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When the corals
could no longer grow on the reef platform, encrusting coralline algae
took their place. The top 80 cm of the reef platform consists of a
coralline algae matrix with embedded chunks of coral and terrestrial
rock. I wonder if aborigines carried the rocks onto the reef as it
is hard to imagine a natural process doing so. In any case, I
consider the reef to be a living reef that is maintained by algae
rather than coral.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuH-AWGV5j2Q6CXUFnoPCurf0y4970IYJUXMuRcEREAMDo2FF4OrtzfNsPvPZ1WJd_CcBJwSQONGa0hlFTQYeOLXZ-Rx7V1z0oa-YehZfxch2LDY_eGVHkMtcqk-r1llXu34U8k7oLTI8Y/s1600/Coralline-algae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuH-AWGV5j2Q6CXUFnoPCurf0y4970IYJUXMuRcEREAMDo2FF4OrtzfNsPvPZ1WJd_CcBJwSQONGa0hlFTQYeOLXZ-Rx7V1z0oa-YehZfxch2LDY_eGVHkMtcqk-r1llXu34U8k7oLTI8Y/s320/Coralline-algae.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink coralline algae is easily overgrown by brown algae</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uRsVHusu-pGrpwcr7pb8zQFcFMvseW_EFnx7CGfBHxlRf8AZTfv7u0Wsjvdd3lswJaFR3bkP-ix4D-Vf8cIuBbYxGHU3NeXMugEm1ZVl9vpygiclfTU-7Uwrbp64xKGE29nrRPhBuB5X/s1600/Stones-reef-crest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uRsVHusu-pGrpwcr7pb8zQFcFMvseW_EFnx7CGfBHxlRf8AZTfv7u0Wsjvdd3lswJaFR3bkP-ix4D-Vf8cIuBbYxGHU3NeXMugEm1ZVl9vpygiclfTU-7Uwrbp64xKGE29nrRPhBuB5X/s320/Stones-reef-crest.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some patches of reef edge have hand-sized stones in the reef matrix</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Coralline algae are
easily grown over by other types of algae and can only thrive when
something is grazing the other algae. At Emmagen Reef, the grazing
appears to be performed by air-breathing slugs. These slugs
(<i>Onchidium sp.</i>) usually cruise the ground in mangrove swamps and to
find them as the dominant herbivore on a coral platform is most
unusual.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9A2bFAeMvPnOwN2FinVGu-sDh6lPja-tgP7J2xLKiIne-zPeQJTKCcw2ryDG_Kl3ER71hFI8OgH4ZCMyJK6U6vLPGZZssgamudrh7nycFYiMCoGU3s3Ol_wX42n3U5vjnQghufTg_bGE/s1600/Onychidium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9A2bFAeMvPnOwN2FinVGu-sDh6lPja-tgP7J2xLKiIne-zPeQJTKCcw2ryDG_Kl3ER71hFI8OgH4ZCMyJK6U6vLPGZZssgamudrh7nycFYiMCoGU3s3Ol_wX42n3U5vjnQghufTg_bGE/s320/Onychidium.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Onychidium </i>slugs grazing on the algae</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are some
specialised fish associated with this reef. Peppered moray eels hunt
the crabs which scurry along the margins of fissures. Dart fish
inhabit small pools. Larger pools have a subset of reef fish
including angel fish and damsels. In wide fissures, there are
concessional coral colonies and wave washed edges are covered with
dense sargassum. Water clarity is limited.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRuocGCqG3r6xYjOVGJx0MoRgapEipZGfF60wR0__DSFFDDelbj0O1s0r3OP_UKgqibsPiqOoDGPS8y2iIrwEQI7T8WbWGbm9BoZKzfiWeQijmuKAiJKhAxl9J35fsT6xFDdUm1Y15Vxj/s1600/Peppered-Moral-Eel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRuocGCqG3r6xYjOVGJx0MoRgapEipZGfF60wR0__DSFFDDelbj0O1s0r3OP_UKgqibsPiqOoDGPS8y2iIrwEQI7T8WbWGbm9BoZKzfiWeQijmuKAiJKhAxl9J35fsT6xFDdUm1Y15Vxj/s320/Peppered-Moral-Eel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peppered moray eel under a coral ledge at the toe of the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The most interesting
thing and the only thing I failed to record were two small fish that
bounded over an exposed two metre wide sand bank on the tips of their
tails. The fish were vertical and bouncing away like pogo sticks in
a motion that was very different from a mudskipper. When they
reached a pool, they swam away underwater. This leaves me wondering
if they were rock skippers, which are an amphibious blennie known from islands in the Pacific Ocean.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQQ0VNDVEME35F76wttN7EPcfrV771fiRoRkrpNlmG7LSQX_bWU-apBi_uTW1-sp-TlwenHhWDYCnMsS1CnbKRPoGUNzBriGt5NXtPyA39H7ifH-ETbLg9FU7VlR6F8PO814LL-3f_bVv/s1600/Ship-Cape-Tribuation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQQ0VNDVEME35F76wttN7EPcfrV771fiRoRkrpNlmG7LSQX_bWU-apBi_uTW1-sp-TlwenHhWDYCnMsS1CnbKRPoGUNzBriGt5NXtPyA39H7ifH-ETbLg9FU7VlR6F8PO814LL-3f_bVv/s320/Ship-Cape-Tribuation.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ships sail close to the coastline here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com0Cape Tribulation Bloomfield Rd, Cape Tribulation QLD 4873, Australia-16.037971639271824 145.46404611435548-16.068493139271823 145.42370561435547 -16.007450139271825 145.5043866143555tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-75275713736700092402017-12-03T20:03:00.000-08:002017-12-14T22:05:39.452-08:00The Life of Biting Sandflies<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Given that sandflies are the curse of the coastline, it is surprising how little accessible information there is about them. Scientists have studied them on the
behest of councils to understand where and when they breed, however
these scientific studies do not present much of a window into the
life of a sand fly. Being of inquiring mind, I would like to find out exactly where they breed and what their larvae look like so that I can study them for myself. In this
post, I will attempt to provide a resource for those who want to
study the humble saltwater sand fly.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTBunJ212bft1Qwo5tJ7urUtI9A8imYglMbB773e3P6x-vl26RR6SWMCx-kCmgytKs1-_Tq0QUa1TEokhwUOsvM5U1HKW8NpkrVZDcgiGJQa6NaRAaa7Ty3q8GlAiWKxqQsT7Zy2NyJLT/s1600/Sand-fly-biting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Culicoides" border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="488" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTBunJ212bft1Qwo5tJ7urUtI9A8imYglMbB773e3P6x-vl26RR6SWMCx-kCmgytKs1-_Tq0QUa1TEokhwUOsvM5U1HKW8NpkrVZDcgiGJQa6NaRAaa7Ty3q8GlAiWKxqQsT7Zy2NyJLT/s320/Sand-fly-biting.jpg" title="Culicoides" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sand fly drilling into the back of my finger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are lots of
different types of sand fly and the species are identified by the
vein patterns and colour patches in their wings. They belong to the
genus <i>Culicoides </i>and <i>C. molestus</i> famously inhabits the canals and
sandy shores of South-east Queensland. In the tropical north, <i>C.
subimmaculatus </i>is known to breed in muddy mangrove environments. I am
not sure which species I have investigated.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As sandflies are so
small, a microscope is needed for identification of species. For
this blog post, I have only used affordable equipment including a magnifying glass and a set of $20
close-up lenses that screw onto the front of my compact camera.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbClqtYoVmiT292yIgIf5cvzHw5GGVe023kHLpVWetnEbx-Z9nnqDFrHRBptTx42IAtLxPFbasaGBe1oB74k7YeA60sAvZ8_i6a5CK3Bgp4NFpIE6gww5Asyq7s1NsThm7IqiLKIOLxXa/s1600/Sand-fly-larva-habitat_.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbClqtYoVmiT292yIgIf5cvzHw5GGVe023kHLpVWetnEbx-Z9nnqDFrHRBptTx42IAtLxPFbasaGBe1oB74k7YeA60sAvZ8_i6a5CK3Bgp4NFpIE6gww5Asyq7s1NsThm7IqiLKIOLxXa/s320/Sand-fly-larva-habitat_.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandflies were emerging along the receding water line where beach yields to estuary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Finding where sandflies might be breeding is as simple as squatting down and looking
for sandflies walking across the muddy surface. I have observed them
mainly at midday to early afternoon, usually walking across the
surface toward the wind. In the late afternoon, strong trade winds
blow across the ground and both insects and other creatures seem to
seek shelter. Usually, I wear long clothes for sun protection and the
sandflies do not seem to be biting at any rate in the middle of the
day so I can study them unmolested. Most sand fly larvae inhabit a
tidal band just below the high tide level of ordinary neap tides and
above the level dominated by water breathing crabs and
worms. </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_gIPXCwUbzNUVYIjfeWSu_ir1Dtfjc2eSYuMdiimwYiDxwlOIRip2U8mvQ1qcALPV9QGPjiqrvvn6THXwnvNapBmcZw7BkNVe1MD2Dv_3X_UO_mhhQ5A2RUh_uEPqP2RJ_EGUG1phmKh/s1600/Life_cycle_of_Culicoides_impunctatus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_gIPXCwUbzNUVYIjfeWSu_ir1Dtfjc2eSYuMdiimwYiDxwlOIRip2U8mvQ1qcALPV9QGPjiqrvvn6THXwnvNapBmcZw7BkNVe1MD2Dv_3X_UO_mhhQ5A2RUh_uEPqP2RJ_EGUG1phmKh/s320/Life_cycle_of_Culicoides_impunctatus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diagram of sandfly life cycle - WikiMedia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Studies have
discovered that sand fly emergence occurs mainly during the spring
tide part of the cycle. However nothing seems to have been written
about the actual process of emergence, let alone any photos or videos
taken. Below is my best attempt so far to video emerging sandflies. The cover image is a dead pupa that floated to top of one of my collected samples. It appears to be in a clear bag, which may be how the wings are protected.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8Xydoor4yQo?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Observing sandflies
in the process of emerging is challenging, even when reviewing video
footage things happen so quickly that it is difficult to work out what
is happening. I believe a lab study will be needed to sort out what
is really happening but this is what I think. As the girl sandflies
emerge, they get jumped on by the boy sandflies and there is lots of
violence. Alternatively the boys are jumping on
the girls when they come in to lay eggs, but the first pattern is
common other insect groups. I think that sandflies just pop up out
of the mud and can fly a few seconds later. However males sandflies
fly can in and land within the space of a single video frame at 30
frames per second. Sandflies suddenly appear and disappear in the
footage and much higher frame rate is needed to track their
movements. All this action occurs within a few minutes of the ground
surface being exposed by the retreating tide. Small trumpeter fish
(<i>Therapon jabua</i>) enthusiastically patrol the shallowest of waters and
probably eat any sandflies that emerge before the tide has fully retreated.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
To speculate about
what I think that I have seen, sandflies may be cryptic about how
they emerge, mainly to avoid the attention of their conspecifics. Even before they can fly, they appear to jump like
fleas when spooked. The big question is where do they expand and
harden their wings. A children’s program on sandflies claims that
they do this in a bubble in the ground but I can’t find any
published info that supports this. What I take to be freshly emerged
sandflies seem to have smaller wings and the wings appear to expand
over a short period. As the sandflies turn around frequently, they
can be clearly visible when facing one direction and nearly invisible when they turn around. I am guessing that they emerge almost
ready but need a few seconds to grow and harden their wings. They
either jump around to avoid their mates or possibly hide their bodies
in muddy pools in micro-depressions. Hiding their bodies in water
hides their shadow, which is more visible that that the actual sand
fly. In most of the cases when I see a sand fly emerge from the muddy
water, running the video backward shows that it was already emerged
and moved into the water from somewhere else. Most of these behaviours can be observed in the video, if you are prepared to go forwards and backwards enough times. Furthermore, sandflies
may emerge synchronously. There seem to be small patches of intense
activity rather than dispersed trickle of newly emerged insects.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6o11SHdBLAU1rudmNqvguNSfM4rJkDHqAHdwLVtFfD0DlL5rLMLfU9fft_3DbqU1fQMkhWyi-LFrt2rK0xrRn7hfNXYB6SRNkmGz5NyxsJFhzCvr8xrnwTxg-xCuLo_J7nqvhlwXHpnD/s1600/Culiculoides-larva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="713" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6o11SHdBLAU1rudmNqvguNSfM4rJkDHqAHdwLVtFfD0DlL5rLMLfU9fft_3DbqU1fQMkhWyi-LFrt2rK0xrRn7hfNXYB6SRNkmGz5NyxsJFhzCvr8xrnwTxg-xCuLo_J7nqvhlwXHpnD/s320/Culiculoides-larva.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dead sand fly larva beside the tip a dressmaking pin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Finding sand fly
larvae and pupa is even more challenging. The one success I had was
to put a few spoonfuls of mud into a small clear drinking water
bottle and shake it so hard that the larvae would not have known
which way was up or down. The larvae were probably killed by abrasion
and when the muddy mixture settled, were in the fluffy sediments
between the clear water and the heavier muds and sands. Pouring off
the water and some of the fluffy sediment produced a dozen dead
larvae. Sand fly larvae have a head capsule, three small thoracic segments and nine larger abdominal segments.<br />
<br />
Scientists have added sugar and golden syrup to sandy samples
to make the seawater so heavy that the sand fly larvae could no
longer swim down to the bottom of the container and floated to the
top. I would prefer to find another method. I have poured the fluffy
sediment from another sample of mud into a shallow tray to look for
movement but none was seen save for springtails and tiny worms.
However later, strange tracks covered the bottom of the tray
suggesting that sand fly larva were present but cannot be seen.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EgKjXvavtdm6Gtm6AbB_jmssTnh-QHR6PshCuTJYl_LcEcfByjkUxCbe5fVULw5-WhKlwylX-1xzJugkVkBCSpQxVNjfJ4WzRWNQzm_8ofZI7fNoVFj4yYH2AE6bgBZ_lm6xC6gIg9bT/s1600/Wriggler-tracks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EgKjXvavtdm6Gtm6AbB_jmssTnh-QHR6PshCuTJYl_LcEcfByjkUxCbe5fVULw5-WhKlwylX-1xzJugkVkBCSpQxVNjfJ4WzRWNQzm_8ofZI7fNoVFj4yYH2AE6bgBZ_lm6xC6gIg9bT/s320/Wriggler-tracks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracks that might be from sand fly larvae</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
My next attempt was
to carefully excise a chunk of mud from prime habitat and use a dressmakers pin to flick crumbs of mud from the edges of my muddy sample until I had worked
my way through. Small tunnels can be seen and even followed. I found
that the mud was bound together by threads that were strong enough
that I could feel their strength. The threads appear to be the rhizoids of a minute but advanced green algae and can be present even when there is no noticeable algal growth on the surface. Threads within the mud are
much finer than any green filaments that can be seen on the surface
and are present and apparently alive even tens of millimetres below
the surface. It is like discovering a miniature sea grass with tiny
leaves and roots has been present in an area I have walked over hundreds of times but never noticed.
Despite finding tiny worms below in miniature green meadows, I did not find any sand fly larvae. As a
check, I added some water and shook up mud that had been processed
and on the following day found a single sand fly pupa.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6W19JdmkRd99J1tktCRquKRmhwY9NosALWB_Au1c9HgPDgtlIgkvxriXv7i1JH5I0zwMJz2Pje7xFv7o_CUP0I41nhWrny_PpvRkNPPxVrid7z9WKwO33FkiVdzpSfq5xj1F8gIEg9zPj/s1600/Sand-fly-pupa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Culicoides pupa" border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="811" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6W19JdmkRd99J1tktCRquKRmhwY9NosALWB_Au1c9HgPDgtlIgkvxriXv7i1JH5I0zwMJz2Pje7xFv7o_CUP0I41nhWrny_PpvRkNPPxVrid7z9WKwO33FkiVdzpSfq5xj1F8gIEg9zPj/s320/Sand-fly-pupa.jpg" title="Culicoides pupa" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand fly pupa and dressmakers pin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgjjtipa43ke8M-8gCc61b4q_GjGvjktet5OdvXIcre_ITYPMUVrc-Svu5njgUvRW88mAjtWb4JxmqNKBjzQoD9g2paWf4srQ_EKyfBpNpihMx7wYFfDHOLYaRXLPy-kXb2truKCpmwwo/s1600/Threads-in-mud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgjjtipa43ke8M-8gCc61b4q_GjGvjktet5OdvXIcre_ITYPMUVrc-Svu5njgUvRW88mAjtWb4JxmqNKBjzQoD9g2paWf4srQ_EKyfBpNpihMx7wYFfDHOLYaRXLPy-kXb2truKCpmwwo/s320/Threads-in-mud.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mysterious threads holding the mud together (click to enlarge)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAFzxoMbX7DHlx5M36qD1T0viKWOo__9IRy41ZjrgQc8YHZ90qhzjp9Nhlxr2zs-Ix5wtxZqqHg4YYHIMR_LGgm37OTQxHf-KLPq5T0_rndTWrE5gSw0IQ7puF0Kze3Tu1C94iQ87Ag-u/s1600/AlgalTurf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1357" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAFzxoMbX7DHlx5M36qD1T0viKWOo__9IRy41ZjrgQc8YHZ90qhzjp9Nhlxr2zs-Ix5wtxZqqHg4YYHIMR_LGgm37OTQxHf-KLPq5T0_rndTWrE5gSw0IQ7puF0Kze3Tu1C94iQ87Ag-u/s320/AlgalTurf.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The threads are from a minute and unidentified green algae</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ejjs8lC3qzIFJDkUtBEhtrenziw_VEplPPdvVyblMZnHk2hVL_qP_tqOLNoPyhVotbhpDjY54bsNQLtUgIgUe4UJsOZXujQvJ-OhUO59L7Bc7y7ZLUt52eGw6-UlDjIjFXZ2txe1xyfX/s1600/AlgalTurfHabitat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="1052" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ejjs8lC3qzIFJDkUtBEhtrenziw_VEplPPdvVyblMZnHk2hVL_qP_tqOLNoPyhVotbhpDjY54bsNQLtUgIgUe4UJsOZXujQvJ-OhUO59L7Bc7y7ZLUt52eGw6-UlDjIjFXZ2txe1xyfX/s320/AlgalTurfHabitat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even in close-up (see baby mudskipper), the algal turf can go unnoticed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My preliminary
research is incomplete. I need to find a simple way of obtaining
numbers of larvae. The frustrating search continues, however I did discover an unexpected ecosystem of algal turf and its associated fauna including <a href="http://queenslandcoast.blogspot.com.au/2017/11/miniature-sand-flat-wildlife-looks-like.html" target="_blank">springtails</a>.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Additional sandfly information is as follows. Sand fly larvae are
reported to be predators of small creatures, which I suppose means
mainly springtails. The larvae breath via small hook gills at the end
of their abdomen. Only female sandflies feed on blood. Mudskippers
are their main victims although wading birds cop it too. Adult sandflies live only 2-3 weeks. Swarms are often visible in patches of
sunlight in the lee of trees or other wind blocking objects. The
swarms are reported to be where the boy and girls get together.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Control of sandflies is difficult as they live in estuaries which contain other
biodiversity which we do not want to kill with chemicals. Fogging may
be used when sandflies are severe but fogging has no persistent
effect. Within their muddy habitat, sandflies may be predated by
tiny robber flies and hover flies. Rove beetles also swarm over sand
and mud surfaces and may be predators of sand fly sized prey.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com365 Willow St, Holloways Beach QLD 4878, Australia-16.8443841815052 145.74400144970707-16.859581681505198 145.72383144970706 -16.8291866815052 145.76417144970708tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-3704684498922167982017-11-23T15:04:00.000-08:002017-11-23T15:11:18.777-08:00Miniature sand flat wildlife looks like a tiny African savanna<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Imagine taking a
photo of the most featureless and lifeless-looking patch of bare muddy sand in a tropical
estuary and the photo revealing that even this place was seething with life. In fact the place was full of creatures that were just too small to be seen when I was standing up. The video below shows a swarm of springtails (Collembola). It reminds me of the great migratory herds of Africa seen from an aircraft. A single sand fly near the centre of the frame provides an indication of scale.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bIyWaRaqd88?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I filmed the swarm at about four in the afternoon, in the cooler, cloud-shaded conditions when springtails had emerged after the heat of the day and were were swarming. Scientific literature reports that springtails are one of the most common organisms on earth and that densities of 100 000 per square metre are common. As these springtails are on the surface even during the middle of a summer day, I suspect that their yellow colouration is related to protection from UV rays In some of the photos below, these animals are so small, even with high magnification, they are hard to see so please click on the photos to enlarge.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_5RH0JFUMiWIjrTlBPYpu6fdeeWoJZqknMfIt0eEIgcdzVgiKg_3ymaIiRYQhbgUoq1rucm8mqyo570t56_TbpMF7AIQc1dw2b4QG1u3I94uK8n2_CJxUC5MOkYrU5IareOFWGwJoMoz/s1600/tropical-estuary-mud-flat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_5RH0JFUMiWIjrTlBPYpu6fdeeWoJZqknMfIt0eEIgcdzVgiKg_3ymaIiRYQhbgUoq1rucm8mqyo570t56_TbpMF7AIQc1dw2b4QG1u3I94uK8n2_CJxUC5MOkYrU5IareOFWGwJoMoz/s320/tropical-estuary-mud-flat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A muddy sand flat between a creek and the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8E20REvnVHs-JL8P7qr7nV77GcvDEm3mHMC9m-nYpZDYT5TuCo1aMp8lWkwdLIJ1AR8IicVl_JntMHi0uLeJ23HdGFO2Um4WSWjfvJhZaenYD8xr1hxH_3ndhpcp3lALLprNUJr4ts4m9/s1600/Filming-springtails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8E20REvnVHs-JL8P7qr7nV77GcvDEm3mHMC9m-nYpZDYT5TuCo1aMp8lWkwdLIJ1AR8IicVl_JntMHi0uLeJ23HdGFO2Um4WSWjfvJhZaenYD8xr1hxH_3ndhpcp3lALLprNUJr4ts4m9/s320/Filming-springtails.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filming set-up, a compact camera with a screw-on close-up lens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mvmJqp9vdfYUUgNQWur_Fl-OP_tZVYedpS66L4HGolERhyphenhyphen0IyqsY1XIB25rgTYWKy4QvPJ9yG5JZiAnvKewfb09OKY9SYDS8gtKGPv5oJ4fpdfh-Y8YMXk_ZIwtm2epzofTIpXSV78m1/s1600/Springtails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Collembola grazing on sand flat, marine environmment" border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mvmJqp9vdfYUUgNQWur_Fl-OP_tZVYedpS66L4HGolERhyphenhyphen0IyqsY1XIB25rgTYWKy4QvPJ9yG5JZiAnvKewfb09OKY9SYDS8gtKGPv5oJ4fpdfh-Y8YMXk_ZIwtm2epzofTIpXSV78m1/s320/Springtails.jpg" title="Collembola grazing on sand flat, marine environmment" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original photo, each yellow or brown fleck is a springtail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-UOkXMFc7PHfBftP5OOythHC09Zfg3cFvdAueNwswW9ohuQi6eTLhIvsXuLq2oaBA6lfUbdRjPfVeH55BHvrVv-JDvmMAFHRSgKk23yGsbvISIaWRa9JoAxisqZ5zGuh8CM7XwIK88MO/s1600/springtail-tracks-in-mud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Collembola tracks and holes in wet ground" border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1137" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-UOkXMFc7PHfBftP5OOythHC09Zfg3cFvdAueNwswW9ohuQi6eTLhIvsXuLq2oaBA6lfUbdRjPfVeH55BHvrVv-JDvmMAFHRSgKk23yGsbvISIaWRa9JoAxisqZ5zGuh8CM7XwIK88MO/s320/springtail-tracks-in-mud.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Springtail tracks and holes can be seen in fine mud even when the creatures are hiding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Insect predators
were also zipping around on the muddy surface. Large yellow and black striped hover flies fly
at high speed just above the surface and probably catch sand flies.
Rove beetles, which look like tiny earwigs seem to be the most
abundant and roam over the surface and into and out of holes.
Caterpillar-like beetle larvae that were considerably larger than the
rove beetles were also occasionally seen. Tiny bugs, which are as
small as some species of sand fly were also present. In truth it is
difficult to know for certain which of these insects are predators as
most groups have both predators and herbivores.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4LK24b3lMpUXvZC7IrkzQpJGuuohDRc2kM1ZBJwqAGuZf6K6RT9s3V_Vmbp4UbQndwaPj_NqaabM7AMEjYiA7osV_KSlZTsnHOGQ16Yp-K9LFhb7c6Y0IFB3MeFKsNMKdydKWLxDbWrQ/s1600/Miniature-robber-fly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4LK24b3lMpUXvZC7IrkzQpJGuuohDRc2kM1ZBJwqAGuZf6K6RT9s3V_Vmbp4UbQndwaPj_NqaabM7AMEjYiA7osV_KSlZTsnHOGQ16Yp-K9LFhb7c6Y0IFB3MeFKsNMKdydKWLxDbWrQ/s320/Miniature-robber-fly.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tiny fly (robber fly?) that hunts by sight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLF2JqbzYhraAgB7qAn_tTkADJPQ4vTBiArsCeqofgKcTYwSUU4eJzg-QNnr1xzDW8-Vt3g4WySQSnfLuV_K6A6DyUxrrniwJxrep1z_BdAGyQrwKs-STj4cEF2ZcUqtm_L0cESBBW2g0m/s1600/Life-under-mangrove-leaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="1016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLF2JqbzYhraAgB7qAn_tTkADJPQ4vTBiArsCeqofgKcTYwSUU4eJzg-QNnr1xzDW8-Vt3g4WySQSnfLuV_K6A6DyUxrrniwJxrep1z_BdAGyQrwKs-STj4cEF2ZcUqtm_L0cESBBW2g0m/s320/Life-under-mangrove-leaf.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rove beetles often make chambers under stuck down mangrove leaves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLysPFvcJPWLuw1XIJ8yHvn1J8Ras9BBYfJp_9P47wTFDrWnYWF3xvY0KXvSFUrDgJrOD6xINQ61h6fAi_OEZAjn71K_v9U9EnildWGTdvKSqK3VvH9GdCa5Cc2o2ysbIUjHStzGPyO6Mh/s1600/Tiny-bug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLysPFvcJPWLuw1XIJ8yHvn1J8Ras9BBYfJp_9P47wTFDrWnYWF3xvY0KXvSFUrDgJrOD6xINQ61h6fAi_OEZAjn71K_v9U9EnildWGTdvKSqK3VvH9GdCa5Cc2o2ysbIUjHStzGPyO6Mh/s320/Tiny-bug.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sand fly-sized bug, which runs across the surface at speed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In hot dry weather,
a good place to find tiny animals is under a mangrove leave that has
become stuck to the surface of the mud or under loose flakes of
algae. Sometimes a full ecosystem of predators and prey can be found
under a single leaf. On close inspection, there is a rove beetle and hundreds of blue-green springtails in the photo below, all of which were under a leaf.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZkpy87Fzi_QsvLwYmDd-N98tSAk24Af0UHk8RYF4nqRH_lMM7engtnkeBrpPyLi3Sat4p_wyselDnbFwWFAnBCIOFdrS5dyrOXkuhqiEWtKTVcC7utJ560W2gNtcHUTmIAjj67PYG9u9/s1600/Rove-beetle-springtails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZkpy87Fzi_QsvLwYmDd-N98tSAk24Af0UHk8RYF4nqRH_lMM7engtnkeBrpPyLi3Sat4p_wyselDnbFwWFAnBCIOFdrS5dyrOXkuhqiEWtKTVcC7utJ560W2gNtcHUTmIAjj67PYG9u9/s320/Rove-beetle-springtails.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rove beetle and blue-green springtails</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some of these
insects are not be restricted to the sheltered waters of a small
tidal estuary. I have also found the rove beetles on open sandy
beaches near the high tide line and on exposed sand flats where the
blue soldier crabs march. </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0E8cCDDxq-nF96NnCtCzXb7YeXtSIAZjNPj6v-om2a5LCWsObam5mjb7qK1B1xifUs0qO43m_bKmNicCRVGr9swj97jJkqpmbNBitDOifAxMCta2Ub6pPQaUDePXcKprfxQvDI24rvZzN/s1600/fine-white-sand-flats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0E8cCDDxq-nF96NnCtCzXb7YeXtSIAZjNPj6v-om2a5LCWsObam5mjb7qK1B1xifUs0qO43m_bKmNicCRVGr9swj97jJkqpmbNBitDOifAxMCta2Ub6pPQaUDePXcKprfxQvDI24rvZzN/s320/fine-white-sand-flats.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand flats at Yule Point</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDgBS1sKw4MZ7V0R9z8kUrqUPLCW0mzGGB0OVQ4t6lpN3UNAEmP1AXNRk2qmauAP7qFwgoQZi-WxIaMSt2KSEIOw-UheripqqSKKWM1ZOvQiiotfWurj4Kj7CR060ir3H0mVj22cttfnD/s1600/Insects-crab-sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDgBS1sKw4MZ7V0R9z8kUrqUPLCW0mzGGB0OVQ4t6lpN3UNAEmP1AXNRk2qmauAP7qFwgoQZi-WxIaMSt2KSEIOw-UheripqqSKKWM1ZOvQiiotfWurj4Kj7CR060ir3H0mVj22cttfnD/s320/Insects-crab-sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beetle tracks under the sand, near the work of a sand bubbler crab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcX7Wn4G-bmfn-1tvnPwSuYgmxqTbOYSSZGVSTAXdhzoHCpF5HOKfjZe7x4ckeZoJBHrmqN-yC9GiCYR1SXzkEAuZvJBS8TA7cDwuXTIOQulWLIImjLlyLk9s4NmhtpP2aHJfcGhjFlwrH/s1600/Rove-beetle-sand-bubbler-crab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcX7Wn4G-bmfn-1tvnPwSuYgmxqTbOYSSZGVSTAXdhzoHCpF5HOKfjZe7x4ckeZoJBHrmqN-yC9GiCYR1SXzkEAuZvJBS8TA7cDwuXTIOQulWLIImjLlyLk9s4NmhtpP2aHJfcGhjFlwrH/s320/Rove-beetle-sand-bubbler-crab.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rove beetle beside a sand ball</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It is beyond
question that these creatures are present in vast numbers but are
they ecologically important? Juvenile predatory fish such as whiting
seek the shallow waters where these tiny insects live. Sand fly
larvae are also predators and I wonder if springtails are their main
dietary item. Certainly, the tiny fauna would consume algae and help
to prevent purification of surfaces with excessive algal slime.
More research needed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dKqTTGKUyw0l0nM2wHGSTL7R5r1wE_cRzfXaKSbcm5QoPDtdd-R9AtKrXqhBzPaNbo832nDwxtXQrzkHhqfo2B92KNpLvAa_V0OxkIxEwFXlfdjPZj_62OFMudGNNl_6wA80Joy0qjMP/s1600/hermit-crab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="1043" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dKqTTGKUyw0l0nM2wHGSTL7R5r1wE_cRzfXaKSbcm5QoPDtdd-R9AtKrXqhBzPaNbo832nDwxtXQrzkHhqfo2B92KNpLvAa_V0OxkIxEwFXlfdjPZj_62OFMudGNNl_6wA80Joy0qjMP/s320/hermit-crab.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big hairy yellow stripe hermit crabs seem to graze algae and not hunt for springtails.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com063 Willow St, Holloways Beach QLD 4878, Australia-16.84520566121768 145.74434477246098-16.860403161217679 145.72417477246097 -16.83000816121768 145.76451477246098tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-82652154559476065312017-11-12T03:07:00.002-08:002017-12-12T14:13:45.325-08:00Leaf-cutting Snapping Shrimps<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Snapping shrimps,
also known as pistol shrimps make more underwater noise than any
other marine animals. Look up why snapping shrimps make loud popping noises
and you will almost certainly find some dazzling claims such as
“While hunting, pistol shrimps open the hammer part [of their
nippers] and then release it, allowing it to snap into the other
part. This release is extraordinarily fast and results in an
enormously powerful low-pressure cavitation bubble. The bubble that
is created serves the purpose of stunning a prey. How does that work?
The bubble shoots out at a speed of 62 miles an hour, reaching a
temperature of 4700 degrees Celsius for a very brief period of time.
This temperature is actually close to the temperature of the Sun.”
Indeed, it is the holy grail of videographers to capture this ultra
high speed phenomenon as the clips listed below show.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://youtu.be/QXK2G2AzMTU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BBC Earth Unplugged - Slow motion pistol shrimp attack hits 4000⁰C! - Slo Mo #14</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://youtu.be/KkY_mSwboMQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">National Geographic - Amazing Pistol Shrimp Stun "Gun" | World's Deadliest</a></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
However with my $400
dollar superzoom camera, I have filmed a completely different reason
for snapping. I can find no trace of what the video below shows in
the scientific literature and this may be the first time that this
information has ever been reported.
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/atf8TLyc15s?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
If mangrove snapping
shrimps use their large nippers to cut up mangrove
leaves so that the leaves can be pulled down into their burrows and consumed, this makes the mangrove snapping shrimp the marine
equivalent of leaf-cutter ants. A radical claim such as this must be supported by a lot of evidence.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I became suspicious
of the standard explanation for snapping shrimp behaviour when it
occurred to me that having a bright orange warning flag in the middle
of an ambush predator’s lethal weapon does not make sense.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomYm7z5pmj3ODj9n2jPPtIxT-zci5Xr-qY1zuGM-H1h9W0NeiOFauurjWYRdPM7pS_mRTBzVWCCxCXdiy4w_WEI_f6l3-R6PoHL8850zdUxT_yD5R13BuHOdz_NQ6s6vgyWfmlh800GY5/s1600/Giant-snapping-shrimp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomYm7z5pmj3ODj9n2jPPtIxT-zci5Xr-qY1zuGM-H1h9W0NeiOFauurjWYRdPM7pS_mRTBzVWCCxCXdiy4w_WEI_f6l3-R6PoHL8850zdUxT_yD5R13BuHOdz_NQ6s6vgyWfmlh800GY5/s320/Giant-snapping-shrimp.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant snapping shrimp are large and powerful but not very aggressive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ecological observations did not add up either. There were simply too
many snapping shrimps in some swamps. On some nights, the noise from
snapping shrimps is a dull roar, like giant raindrops falling on a
tin roof. At low tide, these areas are completely cratered with
snapping shrimp holes. As for preying on shrimps, crabs and fish, I
have watched the tide flow into snapping shrimp areas and it carries
with it very few potential prey. Other types of shrimps have eye-shine which is
easily seen in torch light and even the tiniest fish can be seen when
they move.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_RTtMy6xB9LnAWRqaxWUFy3PObf4n4GBDGyPIKNSoLtPd6IKu8ikLnCF6wMDpC8c2lAkiSr-Nmx19bSiN8gsRWb84umd7fZbyckNpmqDkum8s9YVj0qBldA4eDffz4ejiS3BcCG7P2Qp/s1600/Rhizophora-swamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_RTtMy6xB9LnAWRqaxWUFy3PObf4n4GBDGyPIKNSoLtPd6IKu8ikLnCF6wMDpC8c2lAkiSr-Nmx19bSiN8gsRWb84umd7fZbyckNpmqDkum8s9YVj0qBldA4eDffz4ejiS3BcCG7P2Qp/s320/Rhizophora-swamp.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stilt mangrove swamp near the seaward fringe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKK-lC7ffsVVmKUuLjpF_xw7sYWENFLUMXVfIg9p5BO57xfiSdOEJXEKGzOuCpbHo_AYTZOaanESyVKA1g0DvQKcZoZmEzlZCXZiuBqPCNg2ui62ol5uwwXxOgi6kl9InWDN5EKi1c0cbY/s1600/Dense-Alpheus-burrows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKK-lC7ffsVVmKUuLjpF_xw7sYWENFLUMXVfIg9p5BO57xfiSdOEJXEKGzOuCpbHo_AYTZOaanESyVKA1g0DvQKcZoZmEzlZCXZiuBqPCNg2ui62ol5uwwXxOgi6kl9InWDN5EKi1c0cbY/s320/Dense-Alpheus-burrows.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entire floor of this area is pitted with snapping shrimp holes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The mangrove swamps
that fringe the open mudflats of Trinity Bay are flooded by seawater
that crosses at least one hundred metres bare sand and mud flats. Not
that many small shrimps and juvenile fish want to cross such a space - so they hide in creeks. Many
mangrove areas are more than 500 m from the seaward fringe of the
mangroves and are flooded by seawater for less than 6% of the time,
yet snapping shrimps are still abundant. The idea that snapping
shrimps are mainly predators was starting to fall apart.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuX9G19ufc677swd53oIwuyHHIJaRLkFoVlJy9wslMCN1MTXacF0Wv0A0ffp1lsDwLKYm376_o5sv3OfAWdypmX0mypCsowyM1XF462pC7AYCd5SJh94jqSUDnrY3-A963j0001TGQJZRs/s1600/Snapping-shrimp-burrows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuX9G19ufc677swd53oIwuyHHIJaRLkFoVlJy9wslMCN1MTXacF0Wv0A0ffp1lsDwLKYm376_o5sv3OfAWdypmX0mypCsowyM1XF462pC7AYCd5SJh94jqSUDnrY3-A963j0001TGQJZRs/s320/Snapping-shrimp-burrows.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snapping shrimp holes in stunted Ceriops backswamp near a salt pan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So far, I have
discovered that snapping shrimps rarely leave their holes or even
come to the entrances of their burrows. At low tide, there are
occasional snaps. Snapping is most intense in the evening and when
the outgoing tide has exposed the mangrove floor. Waters continue to
drain from the forest floor for minutes to hours when the tide
recedes and leaves are sometimes transported in the thin film of
receding water. Snapping shrimps can be observed grabbing these drifting leaves and pulling them into their burrows. Very occasionally, it is
possible observe a leaf being cut up on the surface. </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCjZqffzjRC8ZgURosCI7Qz6ozuqXVt16j_mSA7trqN_tl0VWUZZHCyy7hMqNiD_mL9y1lMW-RF1Rs2AV5nhyphenhyphenp-E9C9sYXlw8ORoUFhSh19PpIW1RGZzwhovu6xw_LRe3PzX6HfFE8GPA/s1600/Snapping-shrimp-mangrove-leaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCjZqffzjRC8ZgURosCI7Qz6ozuqXVt16j_mSA7trqN_tl0VWUZZHCyy7hMqNiD_mL9y1lMW-RF1Rs2AV5nhyphenhyphenp-E9C9sYXlw8ORoUFhSh19PpIW1RGZzwhovu6xw_LRe3PzX6HfFE8GPA/s320/Snapping-shrimp-mangrove-leaf.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snapping shrimp capturing a mangrove leaf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Observing the snapping shrimps is difficult as during the day, the sky reflects on the waters surface, making visibility through the surface quite low. At night, a powerful light is needed for photography and this usually suppresses snapping shrimp activity. Once I turned my
light out after scanning an area for several minutes and was greeted
with roar of snapping shrimp pops. Snapping shrimp may also
occasionally respond to snapping noises by making a pop themselves.
Popping up my camera flash makes enough noise to trigger the
occasional response.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The one time that
snapping shrimps are quiet is at high tide. Bream and other snapping
shrimp predators can be seen swimming through the milky waters and it
is too dangerous for shrimps to be active. On the incoming tide, the
shallow film of moving water that snapping shrimps need to catch
floating leaves becomes too deep and too swift only sixty seconds
after the incoming tide has arrived and they fall silent seconds
later.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In the soft muds of
the seaward edge of an accreting stilt mangrove swamp, snapping
shrimp appear to outnumber crabs. Only in the infrequently flooded
and very saline Ceriops swamps do numbers of snapping shrimp fall.
The video in this post was filmed in a Ceriops swamp. Sometimes a few snapping shrimps even
persist around the edges of salt pans. Middle areas which
have a mix of mangrove species seem to have equal numbers of snapping
shrimp and crab burrows. This unreported and extraordinary abundance
would make snapping shrimps one of the most important components of
the mangrove ecosystem.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0KqRzE8JwApDx4zzlx7kd0t6m-iX8eOMWxzN5-mVcj8swtyaBFR2u1jFBFiQ_SgVDMwTkhD7wPM_MSzXFpI7l8qlCJ0hhZHR6dMF7_tuAUWNiB0TWFTUVlOI_irDQ5o0LisoOuMGkQbE/s1600/Snapping-shrimp-holes-crabs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0KqRzE8JwApDx4zzlx7kd0t6m-iX8eOMWxzN5-mVcj8swtyaBFR2u1jFBFiQ_SgVDMwTkhD7wPM_MSzXFpI7l8qlCJ0hhZHR6dMF7_tuAUWNiB0TWFTUVlOI_irDQ5o0LisoOuMGkQbE/s320/Snapping-shrimp-holes-crabs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two tiny crabs can be seen but the glossy mud surface indicates that crab grazing is insignificant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
My work in
identifying the species of mangrove snapping shrimp is ongoing. They
belong to the genus <i>Alpheus</i>. <i>Alpheus strenuus</i> and <i>A. cf. lobidens</i> are the leading
contenders and are found from Australia to at least South East Asia.
American mangroves have similar species.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Mangrove snapping
shrimp live in burrows that resemble a the branches of a stag horn
coral. Several sloping burrows that radiate out from a central
chamber. The central chamber can be as much as 0.5 m below the
surface and possibly even deeper. Tracing tunnel systems with ones
fingers in semi-liquid mud has its limitations. The burrows also
sometimes intersect the burrows of animals that I would not like to
grab such as mantis shrimp. I have traced several burrows in newly
colonised mangrove swamps where the snapping shrimp burrows are first
generation and have not become part of an interconnected network of
burrows. Most burrow systems have approximately a dozen entrances.
Craters may form where part of the branched burrow system has a roof
collapse. Originally, I thought the craters were by design and were
to increase the surface area water within the burrow mouth to improve
oxygenation.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IUQLXX7S39DA1CVhzz8-WNYW4f0O1C5PHj5NxrMN2J3gqSyfXiYLcPsnM_9z0jE7aRrZUATdWM8jB0btijVQNBboQTE69aE7j2VkqrkGdHTeop5OhaVPlxpreF675yf0lKusq_c8N9WL/s1600/Alpheus-tunnels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IUQLXX7S39DA1CVhzz8-WNYW4f0O1C5PHj5NxrMN2J3gqSyfXiYLcPsnM_9z0jE7aRrZUATdWM8jB0btijVQNBboQTE69aE7j2VkqrkGdHTeop5OhaVPlxpreF675yf0lKusq_c8N9WL/s320/Alpheus-tunnels.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collapsing tunnels in sandy areas reveal the tunnel structure created by a single shrimp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Usually one or two small snapping shrimp is recovered
together with a goby. It appears that even mangrove snapping shrimp
have gobies as friends.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tJ4QxuNjwgCj46fLdNL49pN0awBDTcn4LS5_g8e-JuJV2vP4lLjlERq3WN_83nl3yARlnZhgSr42Q3dID2LtfYT2oairY0mhNgcsjzqew2AdDGGVtkyvVRaNexIEwPVOgnSl-fWOE4gQ/s1600/Shrimp-goby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tJ4QxuNjwgCj46fLdNL49pN0awBDTcn4LS5_g8e-JuJV2vP4lLjlERq3WN_83nl3yARlnZhgSr42Q3dID2LtfYT2oairY0mhNgcsjzqew2AdDGGVtkyvVRaNexIEwPVOgnSl-fWOE4gQ/s320/Shrimp-goby.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goby and shrimp are rarely observed, the shrimp was touching the goby before the photo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvYf2IzORHVH_McR5Lf42sS4ENJwPg8rXU5i8fBPWCnzY9OveJNtMxgaPRS-ByBir9pTISH-xjQBfZNW0vgYM50ugkQPm0_V-ZCaz83OxpS3St2l4emHb0c64Kqr47grk-i7__3KODoxI/s1600/Goby-in-Pistol-shrimp-hole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvYf2IzORHVH_McR5Lf42sS4ENJwPg8rXU5i8fBPWCnzY9OveJNtMxgaPRS-ByBir9pTISH-xjQBfZNW0vgYM50ugkQPm0_V-ZCaz83OxpS3St2l4emHb0c64Kqr47grk-i7__3KODoxI/s320/Goby-in-Pistol-shrimp-hole.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This goby was restricted to this hole for at least consecutive five days due to very low high tides.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When the tide goes
out the goby become a prisoner within the snapping shrimps tunnel
complex. In Cairns, which has two tides per day and tides are
moderately large, six days can pass between tidal flushing of the
seaward zone. That is a long time to be confined to a muddy hole the
size of a tea cup. At night, a goby can be seen in one hole in about
50. Only once have I seen a snapping shrimp antenna running over the
back a goby and I wonder if the relationship between shrimp and goby
is as tight as the relationship is for reef living species.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhXzRHpjFsn6MfXQKTOD6fPkK1RmBTGzxy9D012H-gKGkT9VgN7MXz1-iF_shhkzXu1OUQ1PsI8Wz-J7M5oQjsvyiEGNUrk8I1BNeVlv7mv0-yr_JVTisOvHers_EbBHGggPYDnt12i7R/s1600/Goby-Snapping-shrimp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhXzRHpjFsn6MfXQKTOD6fPkK1RmBTGzxy9D012H-gKGkT9VgN7MXz1-iF_shhkzXu1OUQ1PsI8Wz-J7M5oQjsvyiEGNUrk8I1BNeVlv7mv0-yr_JVTisOvHers_EbBHGggPYDnt12i7R/s320/Goby-Snapping-shrimp.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goby and shrimp obtained from tunnels in a mangrove creek bank.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There is much more
to this discovery that I can report and many of the details remain
shrouded in mystery. There is much more work to be doneQueensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-45396954079073188142017-09-22T23:56:00.000-07:002017-09-24T15:44:59.762-07:00Kingfisher spearing into a tree<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
If I told you that
mangrove kingfishers fly into trees at full speed to make a nesting
hole, you would not believe me, so watch the video.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VzCLBu2wwhY?rel=0&showinfo=0" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This mangrove
kingfisher (<i>Todiramphus chloris</i>) is nesting in a dead
<i>Sonneratia </i>tree deep within a tall stilt mangrove swamp. At
intervals of approximately one minute, the kingfisher flew into the
tree with a run up of approximately 10 m. The bird was in a frenzy
to make the nest hollow as quickly as possible. A female was watching. Mangrove kingfishers
are quite large at about half the size of a kookaburra, so it is
quite surprising that they can survive such an impact, let
alone repeat it. In the video, the kingfisher passes through the field of view in a single video frame. I saw about six hard runs at the tree. Between runs, the kingfisher flew around the tree, landing on stilt roots, calling and displaying to the female.<br />
<br />
The tree that the kingfisher was chiseling away at also has a story. It belongs to a species that only colonises the seaward edge of mangrove swamps. However as the mangroves prograded, it became stranded and then overshadowed by stilt mangroves (<i>Rhizophora spp.</i>) and died. Beetles drilled into the tree and spread fungal spores which grow into the white fungal coating that the beetle larval eat. Tasty beetle larvae attract striped possums and this tree was cratered with striped possum pits when I first recorded the tree in June 2017 for the <a href="http://queenslandcoast.blogspot.com.au/2017/06/striped-possums-in-mangroves.html">striped possum post</a>. From my experience in locating <a href="http://queenslandcoast.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/where-fig-parrots-nest.html">fig parrot nests</a>, I know that there is a window of time between when the tree becomes soft enough for a bird to make a hollow and the tree developing vertical cracks which pipe water down inside the timber or the tree simply falling over. This window probably lasts for several months only. Mangrove trees also tend to be quite thin and it is would be hard to find one with sufficient diameter for a nest. Sometimes a kingfisher will hollow out a tree that is too small and will drill clean through the tree or create cracks that allow chunks of wood to fall away. Looking at the hole, I suspect the female will reject it. The mouth of hollow is just too wide and it appears that part of the roof of the hollow has fallen away. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcKGJ4_9e1Gl2SWdE7K4kqqqAFjdYjJEpGQxJB2WuoQzO5RKSV8CErHuV7hCP8iCL8_gOVJAOWHrXv4i-mJrCOet97QXPo90a1qip9DcdZWjGvMPYRGBhiUjtu_9ApxQN9ZJDPREDtlpq/s1600/Collared-kingfisher-hollow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Collared kingfisher hollow" border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcKGJ4_9e1Gl2SWdE7K4kqqqAFjdYjJEpGQxJB2WuoQzO5RKSV8CErHuV7hCP8iCL8_gOVJAOWHrXv4i-mJrCOet97QXPo90a1qip9DcdZWjGvMPYRGBhiUjtu_9ApxQN9ZJDPREDtlpq/s320/Collared-kingfisher-hollow.jpg" title="Todiramphus chloris hollow" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kingfisher hollow, photo taken at night when kingfisher was away.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com0Jack Barnes Bicentennial Mangrove Boardw, Aeroglen QLD 4870, Australia-16.879131653814468 145.76706847187506-17.000687153814468 145.60570697187507 -16.757576153814469 145.92842997187506tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-6978669084712012732017-09-15T20:45:00.000-07:002019-02-19T00:11:18.455-08:00Water mouse (Xeromys myoides), a predator of crabs<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
One of the most
mysterious and elusive mangrove animals is the water mouse (<i>Xeromys
myoides</i>). They mostly live in mud nests in the
mangroves and come out at night to prey on small crabs. They occur in the Northern
Terrritory from Darwin to Arnhem Land and in Queensland from
Cannonvale, near Mackay down to the Queensland border. The gap
between the NT and QLD populations is about 4000 km in round numbers
and possibly twice that long for a small rodent that can’t swim
across wide rivers. During the previous twenty years, many zoologist
have searched long and hard to find water mice in the great gap
between the known populations and no water mice were ever found until
now.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvy4gm6Vl0vqNt44czmiFuMUHUT6m1pTv1AYet8vgMg3r-eA0qLLq9GVxMRAIWLeVmYtEVQopw1oSppvhKDbgIGg6AnMGezxKVOY8sEgpkkVrWveutFp7bLYuNMnnegd-yPXfug1932THE/s1600/XeromysDistribution.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="521" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvy4gm6Vl0vqNt44czmiFuMUHUT6m1pTv1AYet8vgMg3r-eA0qLLq9GVxMRAIWLeVmYtEVQopw1oSppvhKDbgIGg6AnMGezxKVOY8sEgpkkVrWveutFp7bLYuNMnnegd-yPXfug1932THE/s320/XeromysDistribution.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Records of water mice, Atlas of Living Australia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
On 20 June 2017, I
was walking through the mangroves in Cairns at night when I saw an
interesting rodent with a white underside running around on the floor
of a stilt mangrove (<i>Rhizophora</i>) swamp. I saw enough to suggest that the rodent was a water mouse but could not get a photo of the mouse as it disappeared through
the dark tangle of roots. Six days later, one of these creatures came
right up to me even though I was following it with a powerful torch.
This time the camera was ready and as a result water mice have been
officially recorded for Cairns, which is 500 km north of the next
closest record as the seagull flies.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2vvnjOAR2MPknO-5CZfxjFUkHqWp1Gr9DDG-dP8bMVIu3gSE8-BH-jNPNgOsLkj6aFc7BbyNknha1-AW34vBjjhjxww_c5RF5yVt3JPlH4G4kN9i7w69SQi8dCJF5bCCGS57OwpR-Vfv/s1600/Xeromys-myoides-water-mouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2vvnjOAR2MPknO-5CZfxjFUkHqWp1Gr9DDG-dP8bMVIu3gSE8-BH-jNPNgOsLkj6aFc7BbyNknha1-AW34vBjjhjxww_c5RF5yVt3JPlH4G4kN9i7w69SQi8dCJF5bCCGS57OwpR-Vfv/s320/Xeromys-myoides-water-mouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first photo of a Cairn's water mouse, about to escape into a crab hole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Perhaps one of the
reasons why water mice have been so hard to locate is that it is hard
to form a good search image for them. Most of the available
information is in text form, which not quite the same value as a
photograph, especially for a visual thinker like me. There are also many other creatures that leave similar signs to water mice. Adding to the complication, water
mice are apparently not present in every seemingly suitable mangrove
swamp either and nobody knows why. In this post, I will try to present a clearer picture of what
to look for.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyVr18iOxRmbGeiq567-_pk0Bk-utiasw5qzWktihYu3ZHCIU5796jhlhDYjsygyvNELEpbahukBG9Tdycx087WNGdiqd-Zfjh7mpbSjIuyYBEcOZR4jL9Lh48Ios1z6w-iTyqy46GJBr/s1600/Xeromys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyVr18iOxRmbGeiq567-_pk0Bk-utiasw5qzWktihYu3ZHCIU5796jhlhDYjsygyvNELEpbahukBG9Tdycx087WNGdiqd-Zfjh7mpbSjIuyYBEcOZR4jL9Lh48Ios1z6w-iTyqy46GJBr/s1600/Xeromys.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water mouse, also known as false water rat (photo: wikimedia)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Water mice occur as
far south as the Queensland border and occur in very different
environments to the places where they have been found in Cairns. In
southern areas, they were first studied at Stradbroke Island, which
is a giant sand island. At low tide, freshwater seeps from the ground
so I thought that water mice were limited by freshwater availability.
In these areas, the mice made strange mud nests in clumps of sedges.
On the Noosa River, also in southern Queensland, they made mud nests
that were referred to as <a href="http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0146133">termitaria-type nests.</a> Several years later,
water mice were found on Curtis Island, near Rockhampton. Curtis
Island is in a dry region where mangroves occur as a band between the
salt pans and the sea and there is unlikely to be much groundwater
seepage. In this area, they lived in the <i><a href="http://queenslandcoast.blogspot.com.au/2016/09/australias-spurred-mangroves-ceriops-sp.html">Ceriops </a></i>mangroves, which are
mangroves that prefer higher and more saline environments.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The Mackay region is
believed to be the species stronghold, however the mangroves in
Mackay are challenging place to search. Huge tides flush away the
relatively high rainfall of Mackay and make the mangrove environment
a more saline environment than it ought to be. Stunted mangroves often occur in
low woody thickets of robust trees that difficult to push through let
alone walk through. Some swamps in river mouths or near grassy plains
can even have an understorey of succulent herbs and grass! Given the
known habit in southern Queensland, the swamps with grassy
understoreys and adjacent grassy flats with signs of freshwater influence were the obvious place
to search, however data collected over the last twenty years suggests
that water mice do not like that habitat.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLnINgfl4SkKmT-SzX6flU1XAWnK5FFRif4-g5NtMoo0QISkjTdJ3jyW3_H_I35DcE_eCZNmz__xDNziuNx5DjwStwgewRk0G6GnClTPjDJ45Uay7z4BhFKVP3Rv9P8UHfTPYlklTTmhP/s1600/Dunrock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLnINgfl4SkKmT-SzX6flU1XAWnK5FFRif4-g5NtMoo0QISkjTdJ3jyW3_H_I35DcE_eCZNmz__xDNziuNx5DjwStwgewRk0G6GnClTPjDJ45Uay7z4BhFKVP3Rv9P8UHfTPYlklTTmhP/s320/Dunrock.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangroves with grassy understory, Dunrock near Mackay (water mouse central)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In Cairns, the tidal
range is smaller than Mackay and the remains of crabs that have been
preyed on by water mice are less likely to be swept away. Mangroves thrive on the higher rainfall and are taller and are easy
to move through. However, water mice are not the only crab-eating
rodent and care has to be made when identifying both rodents and the
signs they leave. Rakali (<i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_2020717988"></span>Hydromys chrysogaster<span id="goog_2020717989"></span></a></i>), which are
approximately six times larger and a formidable predator dominate the
swamps. I thought that rakali might also prey on or fight with water
mice and limit their distribution. There must be some kind of habitat
partitioning however where water mice are present, rakali are also
almost certainly present. Introduced black rats are also a common
predator on crabs in mangrove areas. Some other native rodents such
as Melomys also venture into the mangroves. Water mice apparently do not climb trees to escape, like the rodent below.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_KqCl3_ao31AjMfFbDOMkcKw-uX86g1tcLN2_N96MHxifHz3l9N7k0465ttWKHjhIOw84PrCHgOd8PgheDJSSU683O49FAF_7UWpN3VE1l8r3eBgNKxVKDaTj_9H2caMYgmCu7as0e9q/s1600/Rodent-mangroves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_KqCl3_ao31AjMfFbDOMkcKw-uX86g1tcLN2_N96MHxifHz3l9N7k0465ttWKHjhIOw84PrCHgOd8PgheDJSSU683O49FAF_7UWpN3VE1l8r3eBgNKxVKDaTj_9H2caMYgmCu7as0e9q/s320/Rodent-mangroves.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These unknown rodents were also foraging in the mangroves </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Water mice prey on
smaller grapsid crabs, which tend to have flat rectangular bodies,
usually grey in colour. Grapsid crabs often live on the lower part of
trees or in simple burrows that go straight down into the ground. Sesarmid
are larger crabs that have a squat cylindrical body
shape (scone-shaped) and often live in mud igloos which the crabs build on the forest floor. Remains of sesarmid crabs that have been
caught by a rakali look as if the crab has been blown up. In
contrast, water mice leave a tidier scene. Typically, there will be a
bright white upturned carapace which is often close to a scattering
of legs and nippers. The best evidence that crab remains are from
water mouse predation is an intact segmented breast plate, which is
the undersurface of the crab (pers comms Tina Ball). As the carapace
is small and can potentially be moved by tides, finding the carapace
with the other parts provides stronger evidence that the water mouse
consumed the crab at that spot. Empty crab shells with the legs still
attached are probably moulted exoskeletons rather than remains of
predated crabs.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sBjWHQvDQbvasxZNLsu6n4LfaUY47YkBTPI1QtOQXqC178YLPd3-qd-8BEx4Cyj-zt-Z5hnBorVU2oLpaxgn_-1AZCm4R9vyqyGHx93QPunN9kzoWP_FlpGv97BpE_aj3PPN2BPvMTc2/s1600/Xeromys-sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sBjWHQvDQbvasxZNLsu6n4LfaUY47YkBTPI1QtOQXqC178YLPd3-qd-8BEx4Cyj-zt-Z5hnBorVU2oLpaxgn_-1AZCm4R9vyqyGHx93QPunN9kzoWP_FlpGv97BpE_aj3PPN2BPvMTc2/s320/Xeromys-sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small, thumbnail sized empty crab shells are the main sign of water mouse presence</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGsxjwo3g5Torr5NcyB6s_9VhN_bNjtZq8xSTH5cf0DBJunaFpL6lZ_dazuwr8UBwzeEKYUUPiG1-nJHagOjpzqFIoMdQDar8-vOlye9oKa8matbmAZN5AO72MbBx1Y7xzrnYADSeejhi/s1600/Water-rat-crab-kill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGsxjwo3g5Torr5NcyB6s_9VhN_bNjtZq8xSTH5cf0DBJunaFpL6lZ_dazuwr8UBwzeEKYUUPiG1-nJHagOjpzqFIoMdQDar8-vOlye9oKa8matbmAZN5AO72MbBx1Y7xzrnYADSeejhi/s320/Water-rat-crab-kill.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rakali eat larger crabs and make a mess of them</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvPloVfJuv0b9A9tMXI2QqjHwYf73aeH07cD7YyHh0s3E_wIqeKFve9Zpn3zBdXqtmH40vocY3t2HbX__LCU6d_ro7SpTqjUDQlN4HkGXhN-UfAt_lwupPVLDyRqecvZNmJXBkO-W23Cu/s1600/Grapsid-crab-Xeromys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvPloVfJuv0b9A9tMXI2QqjHwYf73aeH07cD7YyHh0s3E_wIqeKFve9Zpn3zBdXqtmH40vocY3t2HbX__LCU6d_ro7SpTqjUDQlN4HkGXhN-UfAt_lwupPVLDyRqecvZNmJXBkO-W23Cu/s320/Grapsid-crab-Xeromys.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cleanly removed breast plate is a good water mouse sign</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Water mice are too
small to leave trails of footprints, except in places where the
ground is quite soft and where it remains undisturbed by other
creatures. Such conditions are rare in mangrove swamps and I have
only seen footprints where mud had dried hard soon after the prints
were made or in soft wet mud that had yet to be disturbed by the
traffic of crabs and snails. Rakali leave prodigious numbers of
footprints. Rakali have long webbed hind feet with toes of different
lengths. Their front feet leave large star-shaped prints with the
span of a 50 cent piece. Bandicoots, wallabies and a variety of other
terrestrial wildlife including other small rodents also get around in
the mangroves and leave prints, so footprints provide unreliable
evidence.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8T6Qv2mDkp1XiSnVSE1-sa2r7qqlGUTXMl0ZuQBL7yeZCpvOa5g-7OGbXzpSDfVBRTsu-_yZ2Ycrz5CrCHF0I1HJLFQRgGaicIQ2vmL4jT8R_iT2sweyNWcdKDLixlE4Md5gVHRoViXtM/s1600/Footprints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8T6Qv2mDkp1XiSnVSE1-sa2r7qqlGUTXMl0ZuQBL7yeZCpvOa5g-7OGbXzpSDfVBRTsu-_yZ2Ycrz5CrCHF0I1HJLFQRgGaicIQ2vmL4jT8R_iT2sweyNWcdKDLixlE4Md5gVHRoViXtM/s320/Footprints.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possible water mouse footprints (front and rear)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Water mice live in
mud nests which they construct. Depending on the surrounding
environment, these nests can be easy to see or they can be almost
impossible to distinguish. Mud lobsters, sesarmid crabs and even
mangrove ants create large mounds of mud that are shaped like water
mouse nests and these other mounds can be so numerous, they even outnumber the mangrove trees. Suitable mud for nest building may be one
of the environmental parameters that water mice require. The nests
also need to be located near the high tide line as the water mice
probably do not like deep or prolonged submersion. Whilst water mice
feed in stilt mangrove swamps, they prefer to make nests in areas
which are tidally inundated less often.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgHfIrb1D6ChiOObdvD2MYZCXCCJkHXw22ErE88Lfad5TZZcIpnaHGDFMAHdOxmqbxhMeLtUlG2BtZgzZv3oxq1ssdaH_7IwP8b85jy4jbiVhdfQQ7izfUvN_1Pi64PGUg2hPExubzDdr/s1600/Possible-water-mouse-nest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgHfIrb1D6ChiOObdvD2MYZCXCCJkHXw22ErE88Lfad5TZZcIpnaHGDFMAHdOxmqbxhMeLtUlG2BtZgzZv3oxq1ssdaH_7IwP8b85jy4jbiVhdfQQ7izfUvN_1Pi64PGUg2hPExubzDdr/s320/Possible-water-mouse-nest.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possible nest pointed out by Tina Ball</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NPgOaNlvgehYC8rOCDkZO4cMFxAxv7Y96MBjSVAW7TeGZyCBf7VKqF7e3o4wImJlhxKkNKbNYRtoY0SjIeaagBTxFtLzjvVR3KE3LJXZofwgbyBpt-trG63eVMWrpXYYMHRkwaSIIDRi/s1600/Water-mouse-midden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NPgOaNlvgehYC8rOCDkZO4cMFxAxv7Y96MBjSVAW7TeGZyCBf7VKqF7e3o4wImJlhxKkNKbNYRtoY0SjIeaagBTxFtLzjvVR3KE3LJXZofwgbyBpt-trG63eVMWrpXYYMHRkwaSIIDRi/s320/Water-mouse-midden.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hollow filled with mud, with crab remains on top is very likely to be a nest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZKQP7x5TgctkAJKi3kEfGVdYSI_EsV_84OZF4anR1qZ4rCfaWHU-efYNCYBTV8U5O1UzAyYT7vkH-khvi4rZJSB7H7Dbw3PkuBDzbj2sZq6-JGJP2qR6QjEFMyLG8CV3ojsTrcBxolUz/s1600/Xeromys-nest-mound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZKQP7x5TgctkAJKi3kEfGVdYSI_EsV_84OZF4anR1qZ4rCfaWHU-efYNCYBTV8U5O1UzAyYT7vkH-khvi4rZJSB7H7Dbw3PkuBDzbj2sZq6-JGJP2qR6QjEFMyLG8CV3ojsTrcBxolUz/s320/Xeromys-nest-mound.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A possible nest showing the horizontal entrances, crab remains were in the tree hollow as well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The nests have a
variety of forms and many other animals make similar mud nests so it is hard
to be certain whether the nests belong to water mice. Crab igloos
often have vertical chimney style exits whereas water mice tend to
make horizontal exits which are supposed to be more oval-shaped than
crab holes which are round. As water mice are a listed
threatened species (listed as <i>Vulnerable</i>), breaking nests open to see the occupants would be
an offense under the Nature Conservation Act. The only alternative
is to look for crab dinners which the mice consumed on or in their
nest or to set up a camera trap to photograph the water mice as they
come and go.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3_D6xxqyAU1_VJm-UKc70W4LqvOjS0KmekX_oYEBIYXLd5nNUi_-aF0DhM2gCM8pkoN_kdZsdSLL1wXWo9wN7Dgx9o_9X_HQoI7UGGV4iLxj4gWqclZchi_rHV4X65kmHS08_KohAUIy/s1600/Ceriops-mud-ramp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3_D6xxqyAU1_VJm-UKc70W4LqvOjS0KmekX_oYEBIYXLd5nNUi_-aF0DhM2gCM8pkoN_kdZsdSLL1wXWo9wN7Dgx9o_9X_HQoI7UGGV4iLxj4gWqclZchi_rHV4X65kmHS08_KohAUIy/s320/Ceriops-mud-ramp.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water mice also make mud ramp nests, but this mud ramp is likely to be a crab house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEopQ9lt5PKLHe2SknMKsdJNMcdnoZXq5UieVJfvJHa8erryTFBkC2aK_TgLzWXxAbjDQLbeIUKwJqz1fGTEux1O_NAFFI6WNkXm6DSf7AG1lMSPkriduyMdMDVUW_OdGNFzMRXQ_u0jW/s1600/Xeromys-habitat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEopQ9lt5PKLHe2SknMKsdJNMcdnoZXq5UieVJfvJHa8erryTFBkC2aK_TgLzWXxAbjDQLbeIUKwJqz1fGTEux1O_NAFFI6WNkXm6DSf7AG1lMSPkriduyMdMDVUW_OdGNFzMRXQ_u0jW/s320/Xeromys-habitat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sesarmid crab igloos around the base of Ceriops mangrove trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
My working theory is
that the most productive feeding areas for water mice are the drier
mangrove forests, where grapsid crabs are more abundant than sesarmid
crabs. Look for where the ground is flat and full of small crab holes
and avoid areas where the mud is covered with crab igloos or the
ground is intensely churned by subterranean creatures such as mud
lobsters. Proximity to freshwater is not a requirement as the places
they have been found are unlikely to have potable freshwater during
the dry season. In Cairns, water mice were found deep in mangrove
communities that are isolated from the landward fringe and
terrestrial vegetation. Water mice seem to be in most of the mangrove
swamps I have searched, however water mouse sign is scarce in
luxuriant mangroves be they swamps of <i>Ceriops</i>, <i>Rhizophora </i>or some other
species. Sign was most abundant in harsh saline back swamps that may
be seasonally become quite fresh during the summer wet season. These
places tend to be mosquito infested, even by mangrove swamp
standards. Some of these places are also subject to deep and violent
flooding when creeks within the catchment run deep and water mice
apparently climb up high inside hollow trees to survive these
conditions. Water mice seem to hunt mainly along the boundary between
the <i>Ceriops </i>and <i>Rhizophora </i>mangrove zones where tides are still a
regular event and crabs are usually active.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCbyHk9R4O7XzhjXlWwOq9-VzBnUHVqnugFwcnuNfABbdIq6Nssnc9TbhUYqplHfxuLgc_3wYUeNtmmEXRx0hL5BfHHgUTWhRULAsVLL-dUYUAMq-fv9zkpADw4izf0Yb0qUDsjLQufns/s1600/False-water-rat-habitat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCbyHk9R4O7XzhjXlWwOq9-VzBnUHVqnugFwcnuNfABbdIq6Nssnc9TbhUYqplHfxuLgc_3wYUeNtmmEXRx0hL5BfHHgUTWhRULAsVLL-dUYUAMq-fv9zkpADw4izf0Yb0qUDsjLQufns/s320/False-water-rat-habitat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water mice hunt in stilt mangrove swamps as well as Ceriops swamp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As a threatened
species, I will not tell exactly where I found the water mice but
those who are interested can contact me via this site. I would also
like to thank Tina Ball from the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service,
for investigated my sites in the field and via camera trapping. She
has was able to officially confirm the presence of water mice and to
help me sharpen my knowledge of this mysterious creature. </div>
Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com0Cairns QLD, Australia-16.9185514 145.77805480000006-17.404770399999997 145.13260780000007 -16.4323324 146.42350180000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-61000768527167366122017-08-24T05:46:00.004-07:002017-08-24T05:46:51.613-07:00Rafting Sand Crabs<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I was on the outer
breakwater of the Cairns Marina when I observed that some of the
floating mangrove leaves and twigs had tiny sand crabs riding on
them. In about a ten minute period, I counted approximately a dozen
small sand crabs and was able to photograph many of them. Being
close to dark, it was at the limit of the cameras performance to
focus on the jostling flotsam and only a few photos were really
clear. I thought that possibly the presence of the floating marina
fingers or the concrete breakwater may have been providing a novel
habitat that the crabs were exploiting in a novel way, however went I
visited a remote part of the outer harbour (near Second Beach)
mangrove leaves with rafting crabs floated past my boat from a
direction where no man-made structures were present. Clearly, this
not an irregular behaviour. To my surprise, I even had photos of
rafting crabs from almost the same day, one year before.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dBKNUxUBm70BNYcmeOjhIRdjEqK2xtg8Q1td-6kbmqY9B02Z7z7xTNYpyTIPtrmEaTJSgsFFSQ-SxLndy-RF_MvVn8qcPJQQuBKLa6-pHbGyxa1SPkG9FItUee3prXm9Im9a78WO1Bm1/s1600/Portunis-pelagicus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dBKNUxUBm70BNYcmeOjhIRdjEqK2xtg8Q1td-6kbmqY9B02Z7z7xTNYpyTIPtrmEaTJSgsFFSQ-SxLndy-RF_MvVn8qcPJQQuBKLa6-pHbGyxa1SPkG9FItUee3prXm9Im9a78WO1Bm1/s320/Portunis-pelagicus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand crab rafting on a mangrove seed (Aug 2016)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnUTpJ_JuWXz_dudbMwFtJvoLhgbsejpHrx81AdfNhQoWV-gT6bNr8Qo-cF9-eiU7-NcXBsVOYbnFBKztmeODyv2IckFFu6eHKj36GxaWT_7vG5mn_BGkbjtmhZNkrSOsrmUcOnds08W3/s1600/Post-larval-dispersal-Portunis-pelagicus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnUTpJ_JuWXz_dudbMwFtJvoLhgbsejpHrx81AdfNhQoWV-gT6bNr8Qo-cF9-eiU7-NcXBsVOYbnFBKztmeODyv2IckFFu6eHKj36GxaWT_7vG5mn_BGkbjtmhZNkrSOsrmUcOnds08W3/s320/Post-larval-dispersal-Portunis-pelagicus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab rafting on a mangrove leaf (Aug 2017)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sand crabs (<i>Portunus pelagicus</i>) or blue swimmers as they are also known, have a
planktonic larval stage so do not need to raft for dispersal. The
one potential reason that I have found for small crabs dispersing
using floating mangrove litter is to possibly to find more suitable
habitat. The small crabs have a preference for intertidal habitat
over subtidal habitat and prefer seagrass beds to open sandy or muddy
substrates. Perhaps rafting provides sand crabs that settled in poor
habitats a way to chance relocating to a better habitat. A search of
scientific papers on the Internet reveals that whilst significant
research has been undertaken on planktonic larval dispersal and that
little is known about post-larval dispersal. It is known however
that the crabs somehow actively select their preferred habitats and
are in low densities outside these habitats.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibm1Wnd2N4UxQn93BIXYhpKLNQUUAZldsgm0BOhf3AKWx_9lbbG-BcQYbcSO85dmEkg6ZAwrT1IOXZcrWIwf6c4Hgf-dzzbxedGlIhgem6aVg4vTE19Cnhr-zB_WLu4ePSDKydVYtwlG8c/s1600/Sand-crab-seagrass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibm1Wnd2N4UxQn93BIXYhpKLNQUUAZldsgm0BOhf3AKWx_9lbbG-BcQYbcSO85dmEkg6ZAwrT1IOXZcrWIwf6c4Hgf-dzzbxedGlIhgem6aVg4vTE19Cnhr-zB_WLu4ePSDKydVYtwlG8c/s320/Sand-crab-seagrass.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A crab on fine seagrass leaves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9F_-HFgEdMZOqa70INGlVQMGlT1uxTq65es-pT25ULXtBy4ehkWYaldJ9LxC1vG-bDBE6mGVMHYYl64HntH93xJfECnrafC6u0Y8Y2FKYq8Gr2H1wPkkRDKSQ7jthAhKZODM0szeXXz_T/s1600/Portunis-juvenile-crab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9F_-HFgEdMZOqa70INGlVQMGlT1uxTq65es-pT25ULXtBy4ehkWYaldJ9LxC1vG-bDBE6mGVMHYYl64HntH93xJfECnrafC6u0Y8Y2FKYq8Gr2H1wPkkRDKSQ7jthAhKZODM0szeXXz_T/s320/Portunis-juvenile-crab.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rafting crabs are usually quite small - this one was caught in seagrass - 21 July 2017</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Larger crabs can
also sometimes be seen swimming at the surface and on the day that
the tiny crabs were seen rafting at the outer breakwater, one full
size crab which spanned approximately 30 cm from nipper to nipper was cruising back and forth in a patch of light from a street light on the breakwater. </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfpifrQ_ZfPxqNd2ykeZRMlQvcFwmXilhtpLMSF7-ftwEgnNwV3yNUpGFgKZ3r4d4Efyoo1UAmJLfWhitkfbKMmiDhNgmggRkgnfRE79NMRqlKsbJvIZ1Sor1O62NgfVedIbfl9D37Bd_/s1600/Juvenile-blue-swimmer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKfpifrQ_ZfPxqNd2ykeZRMlQvcFwmXilhtpLMSF7-ftwEgnNwV3yNUpGFgKZ3r4d4Efyoo1UAmJLfWhitkfbKMmiDhNgmggRkgnfRE79NMRqlKsbJvIZ1Sor1O62NgfVedIbfl9D37Bd_/s320/Juvenile-blue-swimmer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tiny crabs often swim from leaf to leaf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com0Cairns QLD, Australia-16.9185514 145.77805480000006-17.404770399999997 145.13260780000007 -16.4323324 146.42350180000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-710324215373750582017-07-13T04:56:00.000-07:002017-07-16T21:21:59.511-07:00Salt Pans of Wunjunga<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Bowen famously has a
salt mine at the entrance to the town. Tourist information used to
impel people not to be put off by the ugliness of the salt flats and
to continue through to the town. Yet in their own way hypersaline
environments are beautiful and interesting. The only place I have found a publicly
accessible salt pan which dries to a salt crust is at Wunjunga, which is just
south of the Burdekin and on the Bruce Highway. Driving into Wunjunga during the wet is like driving through a lake.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIJ0HxlHcOSvqtgOGnRuyAdyx_uxN416DwSIgfJVfW0TRdhH7pizC3SwujM6NTF3lGhRO17OJF3Aqic0ANMSt5ttFowiZ_Gwxm3Ko-9gboASOkZkc416E8iLGJ4jAg5d2tbTigS9FndNQ/s1600/Salt-pan-wet-season_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIJ0HxlHcOSvqtgOGnRuyAdyx_uxN416DwSIgfJVfW0TRdhH7pizC3SwujM6NTF3lGhRO17OJF3Aqic0ANMSt5ttFowiZ_Gwxm3Ko-9gboASOkZkc416E8iLGJ4jAg5d2tbTigS9FndNQ/s320/Salt-pan-wet-season_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the wet season, the salt pan is a shallow lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RPXbCqlsHhzihJCAGGZc-NGPgZqvgU8ezuSjtsDknwENrEGSJDrAyRDJutn7yr0VU7Hf3MLvA0v33jGB2Jp5KGNkosNuK-Vs56QP-6jQm9OtZAjEW_oMSlATzUG6rfm3pr_Qw0nnFZul/s1600/Mosquito-larvae_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RPXbCqlsHhzihJCAGGZc-NGPgZqvgU8ezuSjtsDknwENrEGSJDrAyRDJutn7yr0VU7Hf3MLvA0v33jGB2Jp5KGNkosNuK-Vs56QP-6jQm9OtZAjEW_oMSlATzUG6rfm3pr_Qw0nnFZul/s320/Mosquito-larvae_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosquito larvae are present in numbers so don't go there at night if you value your blood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeV0pXyc5V43VuOldWc5s4hHLUZLZ7avgovDM8bYLcB_i9akgf5F8xgxIcuVBWD1nIg4sxNpZAZ2x6uuR3RVZYPDYAopUEvuhG2Om5XaJHoY4LsLf5_Up8gz50aUr5iP0Eh51NYrsBeGGh/s1600/Spangled-perch_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeV0pXyc5V43VuOldWc5s4hHLUZLZ7avgovDM8bYLcB_i9akgf5F8xgxIcuVBWD1nIg4sxNpZAZ2x6uuR3RVZYPDYAopUEvuhG2Om5XaJHoY4LsLf5_Up8gz50aUr5iP0Eh51NYrsBeGGh/s320/Spangled-perch_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A freshwater fish (spangled perch) swimming on its side in shallow water in an attempt to find freshwater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
During the wet season when
rains are heavy, the salt flats on the inland side of the salt pan complex drain slowly and
become temporary freshwater wetlands.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmN-vnjD29LxXftjIU23ZZdYPIB4VeED-TdAnEVc9LJ0pxTHy0WYvrVYEWkrodQV34alDsZtJvwAGReIUy1w2ZBqep3UA5wizd3Zt2LBiAif345kYrz0BbK3El1taL9lzobO2I8H3xejf/s1600/Freshwater-marshes_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmN-vnjD29LxXftjIU23ZZdYPIB4VeED-TdAnEVc9LJ0pxTHy0WYvrVYEWkrodQV34alDsZtJvwAGReIUy1w2ZBqep3UA5wizd3Zt2LBiAif345kYrz0BbK3El1taL9lzobO2I8H3xejf/s320/Freshwater-marshes_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird life is intense, so many birds and so many species</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrzGgZ8melzzuzAYp7V4wLeyeTfy72roDgL2GJHeXESm7Er67325H1xbN-k1PWvqQ594fHJ8PAUvuTv-p17P4Pf9TWWvLMTaQbMMlu6xkzjKEIeivwTvmzuj8dCBqY_HVvqRCSt6s0HqR/s1600/Stilts_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrzGgZ8melzzuzAYp7V4wLeyeTfy72roDgL2GJHeXESm7Er67325H1xbN-k1PWvqQ594fHJ8PAUvuTv-p17P4Pf9TWWvLMTaQbMMlu6xkzjKEIeivwTvmzuj8dCBqY_HVvqRCSt6s0HqR/s320/Stilts_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some birds are timid but others will tolerate a careful approach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Closer to the coast tidal
influence dominates and signs of freshwater influence are lost. Just
before the beach is a shallow basin that is a saltwater lake during
the wet season (shown above), and a bare salt pan with a small hypersaline lake in the
dry. Large salt crystals form patterns in this lake.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1d9RRMR7jqc0YYRZZY9o2Qba2_4Qi4SOffAOmXQbj5Ea4VBYcOfsUE0XBdvfMp8eCJ5x0_7l5j5hLq1io3KlNDuGCUJ7jWseWwFytxRuG1e0bB2HHSlgi1OZ08tyhSLX6TS73GjU9GFib/s1600/Salt-pan-dry-season_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1d9RRMR7jqc0YYRZZY9o2Qba2_4Qi4SOffAOmXQbj5Ea4VBYcOfsUE0XBdvfMp8eCJ5x0_7l5j5hLq1io3KlNDuGCUJ7jWseWwFytxRuG1e0bB2HHSlgi1OZ08tyhSLX6TS73GjU9GFib/s320/Salt-pan-dry-season_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shallow lake almost completely dries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHQ3Nrt5ZZWmtfqhVoVUqCIaeHS_XmX8yVZY89HXo8jLWDf-PXir1u9lGZNnMRgGvQ4LDVAbA43C1V2ZN9r8Ajd8eO7o3DTlNI-Tdi9FCAHs1sREQ1kZ79xJc8rr1WSrB8DrY_bQUkv1Q/s1600/Cubic-salt-crystals_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHQ3Nrt5ZZWmtfqhVoVUqCIaeHS_XmX8yVZY89HXo8jLWDf-PXir1u9lGZNnMRgGvQ4LDVAbA43C1V2ZN9r8Ajd8eO7o3DTlNI-Tdi9FCAHs1sREQ1kZ79xJc8rr1WSrB8DrY_bQUkv1Q/s320/Cubic-salt-crystals_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bottom of the lake is encrusted with large cubic salt crystals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaERx6BiAr2HtHGFUCHHWQLVFwWpxpQcwHoGdLAeas6jbvdd0Rqnssyd9ctk8yst4Nuc351N5JfOgKSbVHTo6AAXSAifFvmw2z1vb08peoJv4tClO-pmQiS6ghAA3o2bCzellwOcCPk7Aj/s1600/IMG_20170102_075621094_HDR_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaERx6BiAr2HtHGFUCHHWQLVFwWpxpQcwHoGdLAeas6jbvdd0Rqnssyd9ctk8yst4Nuc351N5JfOgKSbVHTo6AAXSAifFvmw2z1vb08peoJv4tClO-pmQiS6ghAA3o2bCzellwOcCPk7Aj/s320/IMG_20170102_075621094_HDR_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicate petals of salt spread over the surface</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
On the bare dry
silty surface exposed by the drying lake there are unexpected signs of
life. Every solid object is encrusted in barnacles, all dead as the
lake fills seasonally and not with tidal cycles. A non-tidal saline
lake with barnacles is not a common thing. The only other occurrence
that I could find was the Salton Sea, a lake in California that is 70
m below sea level. The beach there is actually composed of barnacle
shells. At Wunjunga, meat ants range across the bare flats and probably consume
the dead barnacles, leaving empty shells.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXZ6PVXIZnpuE0o8P1pgq77XhrL5Y5NTdfbn8_rM8sIJ88bOoLSbW8NTnkHQFPBvAp5zRHh-8tFTgEucuBZunZlatQsdvKkt0y8Xjl-bUEo-Ni4LXSJE3b05OVRuHT-ySYnHJ4dLG-nBo/s1600/Barnacles-on-log_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXZ6PVXIZnpuE0o8P1pgq77XhrL5Y5NTdfbn8_rM8sIJ88bOoLSbW8NTnkHQFPBvAp5zRHh-8tFTgEucuBZunZlatQsdvKkt0y8Xjl-bUEo-Ni4LXSJE3b05OVRuHT-ySYnHJ4dLG-nBo/s320/Barnacles-on-log_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barnacles encrust every surface</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A large green tiger
beetle was running around in a completely bare expanse. Tiger beetles are
predators and I assume they specialise in feeding on insects that
land on the salt pans. When I tried to catch the beetle, it ran so
erratically that it was almost impossible to catch. Tiger beetles
can fly as well as wasps but their running skills are even better.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04Wjb2aLzIS_zKJYFaahMKO-VGJzXbm9xZW5zlrG2-BLBadsMinP3QGcdYYUUgJOlbO6Z8Z2NPrJSTq2I2z0UI7JaGc2Kx3He_vOONdl3xCCRr7T-s3DASammWv-kk9DORMyxGu4ERf5y/s1600/Green-tiger-beetle_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04Wjb2aLzIS_zKJYFaahMKO-VGJzXbm9xZW5zlrG2-BLBadsMinP3QGcdYYUUgJOlbO6Z8Z2NPrJSTq2I2z0UI7JaGc2Kx3He_vOONdl3xCCRr7T-s3DASammWv-kk9DORMyxGu4ERf5y/s320/Green-tiger-beetle_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
At the edges of the
bare flats, succulent <i>Tecticornia </i>shrubs resemble staghorn coral.
Their flowers are almost microscopic yellow specks that poke out
between the stem segments. After colouring up, the stems shrivel,
releasing segments that contain seed.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pOw99UD1LA0Hy9E-csN9jdOnMAzmu19RuvUe6Y0RlsgnxHYkAnPa6bMuaTxSdpePu5Q4ntdAAct58bCrFtQxIbVZuiPfZ_PX7CPCNgXjGHfazzHCjTWQbLbsqLbRISYw6vulEo5QR5GQ/s1600/Tecticornia_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pOw99UD1LA0Hy9E-csN9jdOnMAzmu19RuvUe6Y0RlsgnxHYkAnPa6bMuaTxSdpePu5Q4ntdAAct58bCrFtQxIbVZuiPfZ_PX7CPCNgXjGHfazzHCjTWQbLbsqLbRISYw6vulEo5QR5GQ/s320/Tecticornia_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tecticornia going purple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tbMnmhw5tdAJfcwz6TqaO9rzwBUFM0gVyabkm4pO3w47FLRgtVPh_tn5H-eZGaiw3lmNZ_nweFCxLop3JsMaF9XlHLYMZLdWoj-U9WqS0Rdy9UTBgaS8mD_6BPdOuBTa8XJMZOJG_EZ4/s1600/Succulent-plants-salt-pan_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tbMnmhw5tdAJfcwz6TqaO9rzwBUFM0gVyabkm4pO3w47FLRgtVPh_tn5H-eZGaiw3lmNZ_nweFCxLop3JsMaF9XlHLYMZLdWoj-U9WqS0Rdy9UTBgaS8mD_6BPdOuBTa8XJMZOJG_EZ4/s320/Succulent-plants-salt-pan_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A diversity of succulents is present</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Small banks of
raised ground lie within salt pan and support an array of grasses and
succulents. These areas are important to nesting birds and with their
light silty soils are rather delicate places. Tread carefully in
these places and look for animal tracks. For such a harsh environment, there is plenty to find if you take the time.</div>
Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com0246 Wunjunga Rd, Wunjunga QLD 4806, Australia-19.740724038343718 147.59334293164056-19.860334038343719 147.43198143164057 -19.621114038343716 147.75470443164056tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-61672539303356316622017-06-21T16:50:00.000-07:002017-06-21T17:03:15.748-07:00Striped Possums in the Mangroves<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Near Cairns, most of
the mangrove swamps appear to have a good population of striped
possums. The possums leave distinctive marks on dead trees, when
they chew holes into the timber to get at the beetle grubs inside.
Sometimes the possums leave great pits in the sides of trees.
Mangrove timber is very hard and I often cannot even mark the sides
of the pits with my fingernails. It must take the possums a great
deal of effort to get at the beetle larvae or witchety grubs (moth
larvae).</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRyPNS0BwRaw_j3j0gj-6lPRZ638NzW0pPUTazdK3wp_VCi6ilAM2scjK6RVX2zVMC3NsytA6vDCO6fnRVQPNfeO2w7bK3mT2gPU1EcPiOqJAnprIVpOFJRlJyojsK8_tSLVklQb2WQvP/s1600/Striped-possum-feeding-marks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Striped possum feeding marks" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRyPNS0BwRaw_j3j0gj-6lPRZ638NzW0pPUTazdK3wp_VCi6ilAM2scjK6RVX2zVMC3NsytA6vDCO6fnRVQPNfeO2w7bK3mT2gPU1EcPiOqJAnprIVpOFJRlJyojsK8_tSLVklQb2WQvP/s320/Striped-possum-feeding-marks.jpg" title="Dactylopsila trivirgata feeding marks" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dead mangrove at end of boardwalk with possum damage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In June 2017, I was
able to make a video of a striped possum (<i>Dactylopsila trivirgata</i>) breaking open the bark of a
mangrove tree on the Cairns Airport Mangrove Boardwalk.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/te4rCn7cKlk?rel=0&showinfo=0" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
During the day, the
mangrove forest is revealed to be a dense, 20 m tall stilt mangrove
forest. This forest has no connection to any terrestrial areas, not
even stranded beach ridges, so the possum must live in the mangroves entirely. This makes me wonder how it obtains freshwater and enough
variety of food to survive. The possum I observed appeared to be
fairly small for a striped possum and was so hungry that it
completely ignored me even though I was standing about 4 m away with
a bright light.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RnFyhMoolu2_PHUHaebYdL5vYUkkDFKO90Eu-cAtblLMq1sTe6tv1bx87uQ0J3G7hvmqzIA1MPbLS1WEENJwyA3hCdubR6daHM5eod1r3ZVdbwXIrb2J2NwH_Qdsip8Z7P_FIpV6ETJG/s1600/Mangroves-Cairns-Boardwalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mangroves beside Jack Barnes Memorial Boardwalk" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RnFyhMoolu2_PHUHaebYdL5vYUkkDFKO90Eu-cAtblLMq1sTe6tv1bx87uQ0J3G7hvmqzIA1MPbLS1WEENJwyA3hCdubR6daHM5eod1r3ZVdbwXIrb2J2NwH_Qdsip8Z7P_FIpV6ETJG/s320/Mangroves-Cairns-Boardwalk.jpg" title="Rhizophora apiculata forest" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tall stilt mangrove stand is about 250 m wide and 750 m long </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This particular trip
into the mangroves taught me quite a lot. Firstly, there are very
few flying insects in the mangroves at night (other than
bloodsuckers). There also seemed be very few spider webs. Bright
eyes revealed occasional wolf spiders on tree trucks. Wolf spiders
jump on prey, rather than using webs. Only one sleeping bird was
observed and one large Papuan Frogmouth.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMF0VMiOk8GbdnXB7cvZi0U1kDuKmSkfQKcBHrI_jzG2wPw8zsRwbF8q4p_WENnumS9LmEFygzfSxbI8P48FQnb1GaULchyza5bA1ItIc26BRXmM2DLtsoIF_UHAWMmHMQP33QdXRG9fxk/s1600/Papuan-frogmouth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Podargus papuensis" border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMF0VMiOk8GbdnXB7cvZi0U1kDuKmSkfQKcBHrI_jzG2wPw8zsRwbF8q4p_WENnumS9LmEFygzfSxbI8P48FQnb1GaULchyza5bA1ItIc26BRXmM2DLtsoIF_UHAWMmHMQP33QdXRG9fxk/s320/Papuan-frogmouth.jpg" title="Papuan frogmouth, Podargus papuensis, in a mangrove tree" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papuana frogmouths are large and have red eyes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It is counter
intuitive for a place with such exuberant vegetation to be so devoid
of wildlife. However, on reflection, very few insects can eat
mangrove foliage and even then, they usually only take a few bites,
so it makes sense that the terrestrial food pyramid is virtually
absent. Mangroves have a detrital food web that is based on plant
material that has died and been reprocessed by bacteria and fungus
into a less toxic form. Normally mangrove leaves which have fallen
partially decompose and are then consumed by crabs and shrimps. </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPT0SybIcpXs_TzG918F6OGTIj9mNjuHFrNMK7UQkA7WjLSzqwDJXM-TInBJVkETnKNnSwmhyXOtikpcX7rPafhRiDc6TOAD1u49G8Fm8xVP2Wg1Ttc1Y51SVjrfxhowcoqoNbV9q_GKr/s1600/Crab-eating-mangrove-leaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPT0SybIcpXs_TzG918F6OGTIj9mNjuHFrNMK7UQkA7WjLSzqwDJXM-TInBJVkETnKNnSwmhyXOtikpcX7rPafhRiDc6TOAD1u49G8Fm8xVP2Wg1Ttc1Y51SVjrfxhowcoqoNbV9q_GKr/s320/Crab-eating-mangrove-leaf.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Perisesarma messa</i> feeding on fallen mangrove leaves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In a
way, the striped possum is also part of a detrital food web. It
feeds on beetle larvae that burrow into dead timber and spread the
spores of fungus, which grows and provides food for the beetle
larvae. When watching the video of the striped possum, it almost
looks like the possum is either drinking or feeding on the fungus lining of the beetle
tunnels in addition to feeding on the beetle larvae. Perhaps someone should
research this someday.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgKdPz6DPKTNkfSMV7wxUwk4DwxbMmwAKvK0E4OUAwbSalVdWuqjHotAN8fH7rZoUev-Yodt3CqiDhpLL32UI0KEKtPTeZXG50V9CkC0Wxem4PFsbHZbgy4Kt-Ldd2p0DQiq_jj_eVB_u/s1600/Striped-possum-sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Striped possum feeding marks" border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgKdPz6DPKTNkfSMV7wxUwk4DwxbMmwAKvK0E4OUAwbSalVdWuqjHotAN8fH7rZoUev-Yodt3CqiDhpLL32UI0KEKtPTeZXG50V9CkC0Wxem4PFsbHZbgy4Kt-Ldd2p0DQiq_jj_eVB_u/s320/Striped-possum-sign.jpg" title="Dactylopsila trivirgata feeding marks" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marks created by striped possum in video</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com2Airport Ave, Cairns North QLD 4870, Australia-16.885045140876684 145.76535185810553-16.915431640876683 145.72501135810552 -16.854658640876686 145.80569235810555tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-81207876248110631692017-05-06T18:23:00.003-07:002017-05-06T18:30:46.392-07:00Most Beautiful Fish in the Mangroves<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sometimes floating mangrove
leaves are really fish in disguise. Batfish take pretending to be
mangrove leaves to an extreme. This post shows a Round Batfish (<i><a href="http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2208" target="_blank">Platax orbicularis</a></i>) that I found on the Cairns waterfront, in North
Queensland, Australia.</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPb2bDZQW9dhW1xypu5TwUoonhGNWDD3Fvjh3bFP0zpC2fTxNDtoWIwomK4bBZC42-CGH72SDxNyuEdaSjOV9CakZENe-nIZYbAjhEzMaA0KlJENuzKPwLwbo1NkcldL6OaB9efKMMrum/s1600/Batfish-mangrove-leaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPb2bDZQW9dhW1xypu5TwUoonhGNWDD3Fvjh3bFP0zpC2fTxNDtoWIwomK4bBZC42-CGH72SDxNyuEdaSjOV9CakZENe-nIZYbAjhEzMaA0KlJENuzKPwLwbo1NkcldL6OaB9efKMMrum/s320/Batfish-mangrove-leaf.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A round batfish beside a floating mangrove leaf </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
During April, the surface
waters of harbour are alive the juvenile fish and mangrove-leaf-like
batfish are suddenly present. They lie on their sides and almost
drift passively with the current, making only slow motion movements to
capture small food items.</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdPS9BJ1kGRzaxeWFUCfXLNmq-YOLASqAaPmOkgIohrXvEoMmcPSqSHMevu0CVV0I7KSaKObj2ktZRjfk16M7QcFu6Ztjb-6snVGS5TRekhF6efpKsRzgWZTSsxdnqusx5cwBllZEzMkY/s1600/Platax-orbicularis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdPS9BJ1kGRzaxeWFUCfXLNmq-YOLASqAaPmOkgIohrXvEoMmcPSqSHMevu0CVV0I7KSaKObj2ktZRjfk16M7QcFu6Ztjb-6snVGS5TRekhF6efpKsRzgWZTSsxdnqusx5cwBllZEzMkY/s320/Platax-orbicularis.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fish's face would often come out of the water when it was feeding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZROE04Omzfqc_N3AtEDxdgMFL3rGr0H7O1b0NBg0JulOG5wzyjnYCIRdoPp73DnZkTgvWptJPMBUU-BiayC_9gOjsePSgSb3XMo4ulZMiOirqrvAqRjTf_8j0Dc_K9k-zJsiOi9U1B-o/s1600/Juvenile-Long-finned-batfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZROE04Omzfqc_N3AtEDxdgMFL3rGr0H7O1b0NBg0JulOG5wzyjnYCIRdoPp73DnZkTgvWptJPMBUU-BiayC_9gOjsePSgSb3XMo4ulZMiOirqrvAqRjTf_8j0Dc_K9k-zJsiOi9U1B-o/s320/Juvenile-Long-finned-batfish.jpg" title="Platax orbicularis juvenile" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fish would only be vertical when turning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4ytCpjxv5pRkwUyFHh1bXkk_x6wiw4aHeMOYqL9Mgi1rSto8NpQz9PHp-b-cErrybBDWnQfhLeFLmEHWoe6kE_cJ2sQZMjQDaKvqbzMJObnxztqZqBDx8ITF6OToMbqKMe3uwHhzGwMh/s1600/Platax_Orbicularis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mangrove leaf mimick" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4ytCpjxv5pRkwUyFHh1bXkk_x6wiw4aHeMOYqL9Mgi1rSto8NpQz9PHp-b-cErrybBDWnQfhLeFLmEHWoe6kE_cJ2sQZMjQDaKvqbzMJObnxztqZqBDx8ITF6OToMbqKMe3uwHhzGwMh/s320/Platax_Orbicularis.jpg" title="Platax orbicularis" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So great was the fish's faith in its disguise, that I could almost poke a camera in its face.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In the few hundred metres of
the Cairns waterfront, perhaps half a dozen are present. Naturally,
I would prefer to be searching for fish in pristine mangrove
wilderness, but my experience is that the marina is by far the best
place to see fish that mimic mangrove material. Mimics seem to
be more abundant in the outer estuary which has large tidal flows. Mangrove flotsom mimics are difficult to find in the long mangrove creeks where the same water moves back and forth
within the creek instead of being flushed and replaced with new water
on each tide. As the marina is at the mouth of the harbour and the
floating concrete fingers trap floating objects, ideal conditions for
observing mimics are present. Still, it is no coral reef and the
pursuit of mimics needs a long attention span and time to waste.
Many species of juvenile fish are only present for a few weeks of the
year as they grow quickly and move to new habitats</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3pS63liVRyc" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
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<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Batfish begin life in the
mangroves but live on coral reefs when they are mature. Where they
come from before they become 'mangrove leaves' is not clear. I think
that they first appear as the small dark fish that lurk in the
shadows under the floating fingers of the marina. The dark young
batfish swim vertically and are hard to photograph from above.
Perhaps they mimic dark mangrove detritus, which sometimes swirls
around in eddies below the surface. Fins turning orange is the main
clue that these are juvenile batfish.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUs7Ot2aajr61HAGrMmvc64-XnGt5NCqqrdydFjltQVm76L_DdRU8hhZgGCtO6fYuUEyy9fXXw3sZ_L4DjgyNN4b4G2QjN9Dp2MutwSPb3wvEppLyQ-h_7sBsxYlQf-i-8uZ4jkU8n1Dl/s1600/Possible-Juvenile-batfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUs7Ot2aajr61HAGrMmvc64-XnGt5NCqqrdydFjltQVm76L_DdRU8hhZgGCtO6fYuUEyy9fXXw3sZ_L4DjgyNN4b4G2QjN9Dp2MutwSPb3wvEppLyQ-h_7sBsxYlQf-i-8uZ4jkU8n1Dl/s320/Possible-Juvenile-batfish.jpg" title="Platax sp.?" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In Cairns Harbour, there are
two species of batfish that pretend to be mangrove leaves, the Longfin Batfish (<i>Platax tiera</i>) and the Round Batfish (<i>Platax orbicularis</i>). There are also a <a href="http://queenslandcoast.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/hidden-fauna-of-floating-mangrove-litter.html" target="_blank">several other fish</a> that pretend to be bits of floating vegetation including sea grass, green leaves or
pieces of bark. Perhaps, there are about 20 vegetation mimicking fish
species in total.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2hKCbugYVygn47mOOmZhsXDa1vRtFqiFwghH_ubVzHsBdr08b5JoUg9sAgKUK5u6eYMPdSIfAX9U5eCakawm9OZ1bbYanWhnJanzWxLDHkLjOiPQt9vH2nUqtCF7TOfMBe31O7W1j6Si/s1600/Platax_tiera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2hKCbugYVygn47mOOmZhsXDa1vRtFqiFwghH_ubVzHsBdr08b5JoUg9sAgKUK5u6eYMPdSIfAX9U5eCakawm9OZ1bbYanWhnJanzWxLDHkLjOiPQt9vH2nUqtCF7TOfMBe31O7W1j6Si/s320/Platax_tiera.jpg" title="Longfin batfish" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long-finned bat fish swimming around floating concrete fingers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkx4cOFxFnsH0PkM72eiUB_d1tMOU6OBoT4Mla8L8SntnRrz_6C5Zj1JKl4PyZthBepo3A0VTkTDhhxMj55eLNEoENst1FRgBwjMlevEl73LWHFCKlMsPWwrKb-MHJ1HToHyt6XJrcAmr/s1600/Long-finned+batfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Platax tiera juveniles" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkx4cOFxFnsH0PkM72eiUB_d1tMOU6OBoT4Mla8L8SntnRrz_6C5Zj1JKl4PyZthBepo3A0VTkTDhhxMj55eLNEoENst1FRgBwjMlevEl73LWHFCKlMsPWwrKb-MHJ1HToHyt6XJrcAmr/s320/Long-finned+batfish.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
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Below are some (suitably licensed) photos from
the net that show how the batfish change after they leave the
mangrove environment. Sometimes the adults return to the mangroves
and can be seen swimming around the mangroves by snorkelers.</div>
<div lang="zxx" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmw-SCl4y6liBTNTp_669wW5nWqf4WB6CwxKMpDz46EvNJcKF6DIJkZ0zsQ4-rDJLA62tcc8xJrlITjmUnLcGIyZF2xQ-NPVYgUpYjD-GKCDeQ4AKzJc9FuyPlD0pROHPojFL63CyvyTAf/s1600/NanyoTU+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmw-SCl4y6liBTNTp_669wW5nWqf4WB6CwxKMpDz46EvNJcKF6DIJkZ0zsQ4-rDJLA62tcc8xJrlITjmUnLcGIyZF2xQ-NPVYgUpYjD-GKCDeQ4AKzJc9FuyPlD0pROHPojFL63CyvyTAf/s320/NanyoTU+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Longfin batfish in transition to adult form</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZO5fNQY5xxZ92RGjPSSYQnHd0sA792C1n6FHcGtA81BbMG42Zamlw-7qYv7lLzKk3oG2RuppboNrGA-EjAPxYJCG-ShLMrJnCFFo0qs5lDSsnc95mvQqYCLPxunbKJo6x_PRVZmwf6sd/s1600/Platax%252C_Mauritius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Platax tiera" border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZO5fNQY5xxZ92RGjPSSYQnHd0sA792C1n6FHcGtA81BbMG42Zamlw-7qYv7lLzKk3oG2RuppboNrGA-EjAPxYJCG-ShLMrJnCFFo0qs5lDSsnc95mvQqYCLPxunbKJo6x_PRVZmwf6sd/s320/Platax%252C_Mauritius.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mature longfin batfish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOXFBaw3pYpda1pi6Zy03xLZPQiE2DyT9Y66mrK54xMY7apSHxJbl86Fv-skoARKOc43aanCiN0X3ThlNZ7iMMCB1xQ6W2Eav5q5AyEDNo8zby1gNPE1-odGvcZsIN1aU4nDvuiTLVN0g/s1600/Platax_teira_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOXFBaw3pYpda1pi6Zy03xLZPQiE2DyT9Y66mrK54xMY7apSHxJbl86Fv-skoARKOc43aanCiN0X3ThlNZ7iMMCB1xQ6W2Eav5q5AyEDNo8zby1gNPE1-odGvcZsIN1aU4nDvuiTLVN0g/s320/Platax_teira_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com0Cairns QLD, Australia-16.9185514 145.77805480000006-17.404770399999997 145.13260780000007 -16.4323324 146.42350180000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-25694387597074153062017-04-29T04:17:00.000-07:002017-05-18T19:56:28.043-07:00The Tortured Geology of the Mackay Coast<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Many stony beaches near Mackay have an exceptional diversity of rocks. Even bedrock exposures reveal a complex series of rock types. How did the regional geology
become such a complex mixture? </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhUJtiibUjjMw4z6oPpRR3yY52ioDRJ-CExYGQe_gglNUdDzdsW5gTbn8DiW_xCBFN73HQuXc_6iLlHhCi7MZqPanTqUIdHn1XuMr606-yK9VuHvFZnY6ulYrMNzxjOTpn8UE6Tty-GTG/s1600/Beach-rocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Varied geology of Mackay Region" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhUJtiibUjjMw4z6oPpRR3yY52ioDRJ-CExYGQe_gglNUdDzdsW5gTbn8DiW_xCBFN73HQuXc_6iLlHhCi7MZqPanTqUIdHn1XuMr606-yK9VuHvFZnY6ulYrMNzxjOTpn8UE6Tty-GTG/s320/Beach-rocks.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diversity of rocks on shore of Taffy Island (Click to enlarge)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Firstly, the geology in other parts of Queensland is usually not like
this. In Far North Queensland, the grand landscapes
have large areas of uniform rock types such as basalt, granite and <a href="http://queenslandcoast.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/around-rocks-at-island-point-port.html" target="_blank">metamorphic rocks</a> formed from hardened deep sea sediments. <a href="http://queenslandcoast.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/largest-landslide-in-australia.html" target="_blank">Stony beaches</a> usually have rocks of similar geology. There is nothing like the confusion of rocks seen on the Mackay Coast, where there can be several wild swings in geology within a space of a few metres.
A single small island or bay may have more than half a dozen different rocks types and these rocks can be interbedded or mixed up in complex ways.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3UJEvCBTU61M0-ButQRSqefsRjQ8qqNQrTh1YPEvV0IXuvcjNaOkqOQvXmfRALkjimEztQlUety29oMubsx0bVYssvLR6RrMOMqMMQyPFlzMViu20BcFh-9KuUYuYEaOFHMU_ZB44uey/s1600/Mega-breccia-Cape-Hillsborough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Breccia on beach at Cape Hillsborough" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3UJEvCBTU61M0-ButQRSqefsRjQ8qqNQrTh1YPEvV0IXuvcjNaOkqOQvXmfRALkjimEztQlUety29oMubsx0bVYssvLR6RrMOMqMMQyPFlzMViu20BcFh-9KuUYuYEaOFHMU_ZB44uey/s320/Mega-breccia-Cape-Hillsborough.jpg" title="Mixed geology of Cape Hillsborough, Whitsundays" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breccia and basalt at Cape Hillsborough</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Despite the crazy
geology, the coastal landscape of the Mackay Coast has an almost painfully low topography and the geological wonders are
pocket-sized rather than awe-inspiring tourism grade. The places
shown in this post are mostly accessible by car and the remainder are
close enough to reach in a small boat on a good day. There are also a few islands that can be walked to on a low tide if you take care not be stranded by the huge tides near Mackay.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0VbmnU_FhKUAxzF1WXJhEv54pUFHgx6EkeKqLo3WIXwomYzoI6GB7WNr-poLs0pTDxKxGMe_1dYIfvCLHV-QvCe7plHlb1fPJEf53VDB7V1h3XPFrWzern30QPwxZGBwZWfSiVbPn4zA/s1600/Red-cliff-island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Vocanic ash features in Mackay region, near Whitsunday Islands" border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0VbmnU_FhKUAxzF1WXJhEv54pUFHgx6EkeKqLo3WIXwomYzoI6GB7WNr-poLs0pTDxKxGMe_1dYIfvCLHV-QvCe7plHlb1fPJEf53VDB7V1h3XPFrWzern30QPwxZGBwZWfSiVbPn4zA/s320/Red-cliff-island.jpg" title="Geological walk on the Mackay Coast, Outer Newry Island" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Cliff Island near Seaforth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The Mackay Coast and
nearby Whitsunday Coast were shaped by the largest slicic igneous province on earth. Rather
than issuing floods of basalt, the volcanoes of this igneous province were explosive and
produced mainly volcanic ash. The Whitsunday Islands are mostly
formed from water-laid deposits of volcanic ash which were compressed
into stone. Time has filled the submerged calderas of the volcanoes that produced the Whitsundays with sediment and has hidden them from view. The positions of the calderas are inferred by changes in rock types on islands and the
mainland.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUgDQfNi13BEJ1H62k0fmFSrHRTiUkWtylb6IIAnNbFE5igZasEYxCQfzCjgdKrkPerOhc4TkLMQ8ngkpsug__z-FwxuGOJ0bNKUZqv7P0IRr_ZQuHjFC4KHU7y-H1cKWjkIs7_E8l1Qm/s1600/Volcanic-ash-arch-Cape-Hillsborough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Geology of Cape Hillborough, hardened volcanic ash island" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUgDQfNi13BEJ1H62k0fmFSrHRTiUkWtylb6IIAnNbFE5igZasEYxCQfzCjgdKrkPerOhc4TkLMQ8ngkpsug__z-FwxuGOJ0bNKUZqv7P0IRr_ZQuHjFC4KHU7y-H1cKWjkIs7_E8l1Qm/s320/Volcanic-ash-arch-Cape-Hillsborough.jpg" title="Amazing island at Cape Hillsborough, Whitsunday area" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hollow island formed from fused volcanic ejecta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Recent scientific
papers reveal the power of volcanic blasts from this province. Some were so powerful, that sand-sized zircons were blasted up so high that they came down in Western Australia. In total, the volume of
material discharged is estimated to have been approximately 1.4-2.5
million cubic kilometres. That would be enough material to cover all
of present day Australia to a depth of more than 300 m. </div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBQI44YJFFtGn8XQsWkKVW0jdi7xiF0SIeyhGYfQGsOO2MFpPcIWFYnnTm7eZRt6xMVCb7FhBOWs6mARzTSxP6MX3r0QhsplT4jWccrypsuusbXCDlXhBO_u4Emg8WR_Q-tMMJaGuhyphenhyphen2q/s1600/Funnel_Mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Geological feature in Central Queensland" border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBQI44YJFFtGn8XQsWkKVW0jdi7xiF0SIeyhGYfQGsOO2MFpPcIWFYnnTm7eZRt6xMVCb7FhBOWs6mARzTSxP6MX3r0QhsplT4jWccrypsuusbXCDlXhBO_u4Emg8WR_Q-tMMJaGuhyphenhyphen2q/s320/Funnel_Mountain.jpg" title="Campwin volcanic landscape feature, near Sarina, Mackay Region" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funnel Mountain (344 m, viewed from Taffy Island) is formed of volcanic deposits have been protected from erosion by a hard sandstone cap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Just two years, it
was discovered that the world’s longest continent chain of
volcanoes starts at Cape Hillsborough (active ~32 million years ago) on the Mackay Coast. The
Cosgrove volcanic chain as it is now known runs through inland
Central Queensland, then disappears under a section of very thick crust, before
re-emerging in Southern Victoria, approximately 2000 km away. Volcanic chains are the result of a continent drifting across a plume of magma, known as a hot spot.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbP5eBmPdEIcMswJC8qOIsF8kVy4qrV7iPun_sOF8BwRYWsNQlDS9XLR6U9lf1f3n20mYjQQCQKzHviqhsAH7QPQEFm4mEub170h9OUf839mEhLce57NWF4zKIP_2cuJOXQZGCLgqi3a3/s1600/Red-cliff-islands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Geological tourist attraction" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbP5eBmPdEIcMswJC8qOIsF8kVy4qrV7iPun_sOF8BwRYWsNQlDS9XLR6U9lf1f3n20mYjQQCQKzHviqhsAH7QPQEFm4mEub170h9OUf839mEhLce57NWF4zKIP_2cuJOXQZGCLgqi3a3/s320/Red-cliff-islands.jpg" title="Volcanic ash deposits, Central Queensland coast" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metasediment cliffs on Outer Red Cliff Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The volcanic episode that created the Whitsundays was associated with the separation of Australia from Antarctica and the relatively unknown other continent in our region, Zealandia. In addition to volcanism, the Mackay Coast has had intense cycles of rifting (stretching) and
compression. Compression has tilted many of the originally low angled volcanic ash deposits to much steeper angles. This tilting can be seen in the cliffs of Outer Red Cliff Island. In other areas, solid masses of igneous rock have been cracked in every direction by the
stresses. I imagine that the process was similar to how ice is cracked by a moving glacier.
Weathering along these irregular cracks may be the reason behind the<a href="http://queenslandcoast.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/giant-tides-and-intertidal-fauna.html" target="_blank"> jagged boulder beaches</a> we see on the Mackay Coast today. <br />
<br />
Rifting led to the creation of the granitic islands off the coast. Magma filled expanding rifts deep within the earth's crust and then cooled into granite. Subsequence cycles of compression resulted in faulting which uplifted and exposed the granite. Where the surface sank due to faulting, basins were formed that accumulated sediment. New sedimentary rocks were formed including sandstone. Some of these rocks have also been uplifted.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqytZCsHo_uBjcThDzX0myJ-e9HO-zSH_qTMcyLv09erYcVsFncm8o2NmXrY-_eoOCI8uEj_kqJmrqA-wXYq4D1_Hxdt8Hi3K2oBek5K4re25aaEl7wDdxJg3hv3qKnGaJom0qGEECs7hB/s1600/Flat-Top-Island_Mackay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Granite island near Mackay, Central Queensland" border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqytZCsHo_uBjcThDzX0myJ-e9HO-zSH_qTMcyLv09erYcVsFncm8o2NmXrY-_eoOCI8uEj_kqJmrqA-wXYq4D1_Hxdt8Hi3K2oBek5K4re25aaEl7wDdxJg3hv3qKnGaJom0qGEECs7hB/s320/Flat-Top-Island_Mackay.jpg" title="Flat Top Island and Round Top Island, Mackay" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foreground: Flat Top Island showing granite outcrop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOdmt44-Tuxm_HMu-RdLFB3g0621B0wUu5SL1_KLyBZXrPJMovFzXf8xeZfndcWCcQ4zhHrMkFqP2ioLePFE95FdF0RGCLqlUuuTmX1ECKJw65dMK0MsEI-DWGH-ZBODGylPX_4HeEr_D/s1600/IMG_8613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Geological history of Central Queensland" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOdmt44-Tuxm_HMu-RdLFB3g0621B0wUu5SL1_KLyBZXrPJMovFzXf8xeZfndcWCcQ4zhHrMkFqP2ioLePFE95FdF0RGCLqlUuuTmX1ECKJw65dMK0MsEI-DWGH-ZBODGylPX_4HeEr_D/s320/IMG_8613.jpg" title="Interesting sandstone island near Outer Newry" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedding Cake Rock (uplifted sandstone), Newry Islands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unfortunately most
of the Mackay Coast’s dramatic volcanic history has eroded away and
only traces remain. Cape Hillsborough is part of the side of the only remaining coastal volcano. The crater has been lost to erosion and subsidence. The next nearest volcano is the Nebo
Volcano which is 70 km west of the town of Sarina. There are however many volcanic
features on the Mackay Coast that are associated with side vents and
dykes. Most of the features of Mackay Coast and nearshore
islands, including Taffy Island, seem to be a product of dykes. Dykes occur where magma has forced its way into a crack in the overlying bedrock or compressed sediment. Heat from the cooling magma cooks the surrounding rock into a harder stone that can resist erosion and it is these rocks that comprise many of the nearshore islands.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoeAB398YLHDYgKjK8OwX2Slz1vudFGcdqubkGYmjiRMVd8gDSR7yx2W_wTY13LYuSql7idgb3sKpsoQiw_H3RDchKAkAzzGH-9qeCFbtlrwQOkBBiB5M7hDkPQ-4zZZfpIZJTeIUpnCIs/s1600/Taffy-Island-western-end.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoeAB398YLHDYgKjK8OwX2Slz1vudFGcdqubkGYmjiRMVd8gDSR7yx2W_wTY13LYuSql7idgb3sKpsoQiw_H3RDchKAkAzzGH-9qeCFbtlrwQOkBBiB5M7hDkPQ-4zZZfpIZJTeIUpnCIs/s320/Taffy-Island-western-end.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taffy Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Taffy Island is
located near Freshwater Point, Sarina. It is one of the few islands
that I have been to rather that a specially selected example. At the
eastern end of the 300 m long island is a dyke and the rocks in the
contact zone have been cooked to produce much harder rocks. Moving
away from the contact zone, the ground reverts softer
rocks formed from volcanic ash. Volcanic ash breaks down to clay and much of the volcanic ash has turned into clay with the passage of time. A single basalt rock, which might have been a basalt bomb lies on the
beach in the middle of the island. As the nearest volcanoes are
approximately 80 km away, the bomb possibly flew this distance to
reach its current position. Strong trade winds and high waves continue to shape the island today. Here is the geology of Taffy Island in photos.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRFYNlyNZZBN5v05m231NmlVG38EPGEZXZteXHeJOCr2_ysiNmg9zOAWm49Fq6morCFDWahHCxJd9EJH7QStXn-mZJSWg4bcp_OOuw0K3O1dMhzNHevnicUrnnX8750Eak0Qqd0ylHCJI/s1600/Hardened-rocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRFYNlyNZZBN5v05m231NmlVG38EPGEZXZteXHeJOCr2_ysiNmg9zOAWm49Fq6morCFDWahHCxJd9EJH7QStXn-mZJSWg4bcp_OOuw0K3O1dMhzNHevnicUrnnX8750Eak0Qqd0ylHCJI/s320/Hardened-rocks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metamorphosed fine-grained hard rocks with a dull red surface protect the eastern end of the island.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQQYKDrdqSz9pVugAAisutgNnx1HQJkaQt_GwW74Q8mMQXZWO6Af_OOK8yzcQwQ_f87fFQFrNzJpj3i4etleVxuiy9jWavXfTnkGuxm1Zyc1aWpncP1mhi-QIWbwQMnUdoDoGH-Um0pBn/s1600/Mackay-Coast_Dyke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQQYKDrdqSz9pVugAAisutgNnx1HQJkaQt_GwW74Q8mMQXZWO6Af_OOK8yzcQwQ_f87fFQFrNzJpj3i4etleVxuiy9jWavXfTnkGuxm1Zyc1aWpncP1mhi-QIWbwQMnUdoDoGH-Um0pBn/s320/Mackay-Coast_Dyke.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running through this area is a dull grey stripe of igneous rock, which is the dyke that many have metamorphosed the surrounding softer rock.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpGr1UvrHgIw8F6XUhzgDHOOO_SegxvR6YXBORWkKHXhLd-HQ1XdUH8BXzdFLAU6i1h11_9BHWC1uvxbvsYCGpGcq8h8k47lUyMIiXOBIJVF6ccqj69clX0GAT7CCcyX2vQOW72ptA5hn/s1600/Taffy-Island_Clay_Ash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpGr1UvrHgIw8F6XUhzgDHOOO_SegxvR6YXBORWkKHXhLd-HQ1XdUH8BXzdFLAU6i1h11_9BHWC1uvxbvsYCGpGcq8h8k47lUyMIiXOBIJVF6ccqj69clX0GAT7CCcyX2vQOW72ptA5hn/s320/Taffy-Island_Clay_Ash.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In areas that received less heat, the volcanic ash was only slightly hardened.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScSFZVg-s1HMKlY-57Lzqm98zt3RSF9p9sbiRtzA-8FoTO9P_W4IAsXZSU2O8ZFYUNx_lXqSjECHo50uwTnm1zXyfvRyvN6j9wc7Cjq0THrDLn6b3PjI-qFFyIfwjdCCR8hcwFMuQx8bu/s1600/Taffy_Island_Ash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScSFZVg-s1HMKlY-57Lzqm98zt3RSF9p9sbiRtzA-8FoTO9P_W4IAsXZSU2O8ZFYUNx_lXqSjECHo50uwTnm1zXyfvRyvN6j9wc7Cjq0THrDLn6b3PjI-qFFyIfwjdCCR8hcwFMuQx8bu/s320/Taffy_Island_Ash.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A brightly coloured rocky islet beside Taffy Island seems to be created from ash consolidated by heat. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMB-LGYF83S6jX92-aX1yuCUC_KsxCrUdp9IcvsEN5DGyS7OOuch6T-hGppxK-_ZiVVi3iPXSmEO3IWvT0sWZcjKgQOYO_fPJPIt-ju7HE-RT8azecddhl8Q4Fmyw7n7twENZhUhjL_RT/s1600/Basalt-bomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Basalt bomb" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMB-LGYF83S6jX92-aX1yuCUC_KsxCrUdp9IcvsEN5DGyS7OOuch6T-hGppxK-_ZiVVi3iPXSmEO3IWvT0sWZcjKgQOYO_fPJPIt-ju7HE-RT8azecddhl8Q4Fmyw7n7twENZhUhjL_RT/s320/Basalt-bomb.jpg" title="Volcanic bomb" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A single and quite large possible basalt bomb was present on the shoreline of the island. Behind the basalt is the soft rock derived from ash that makes up most of the island. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKDLHtGQWhzwE6g9B6Dqa7y_bkqo4GM1JhjFkPV4FS6Up58RcWx0q78WScnVVvMH73_-1YZQl3yn_QRyEYImm2MUXuJMoG_yZfrpzZY3YIftvmmbarApGGCCxxS7aJL0sIEQd_GClJQCH/s1600/VolcanicBomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKDLHtGQWhzwE6g9B6Dqa7y_bkqo4GM1JhjFkPV4FS6Up58RcWx0q78WScnVVvMH73_-1YZQl3yn_QRyEYImm2MUXuJMoG_yZfrpzZY3YIftvmmbarApGGCCxxS7aJL0sIEQd_GClJQCH/s320/VolcanicBomb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what a fresh basalt bomb looks like (Photo USGS)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnM0b46ndXv6fm3i2hyQ8_PeRBIEX6SpuJC7608okCpbwQRyKWPcE3RTO6wkWW_WJjDEGMUZtXEn2LFGY4ZbEKDxsNOiH4wFP-99jKZ0s-N9OHjlrtS7KR_lywKJXHJwwUq62PuZmN3_FF/s1600/TAffy-Island-clay-cliff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnM0b46ndXv6fm3i2hyQ8_PeRBIEX6SpuJC7608okCpbwQRyKWPcE3RTO6wkWW_WJjDEGMUZtXEn2LFGY4ZbEKDxsNOiH4wFP-99jKZ0s-N9OHjlrtS7KR_lywKJXHJwwUq62PuZmN3_FF/s320/TAffy-Island-clay-cliff.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The western end of the island has cliffs of unconsolidated clay and stone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0oBuilECtBm07cuuVgg__ff4bE1pa6Cw7Fa9ph2ifUqqKbbGLGxniGST-k6Jtu0IUrt4wm7NZMpGU1W0fcwR89fNPyLC_tTb3yj9er1GFvJhfxBPYqtyewJ6rlPXwj1KBIO9J_Zws9Vt/s1600/Taffy-lsland-Vegetation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Critically endangered littoral rainforest, Central Queensland." border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0oBuilECtBm07cuuVgg__ff4bE1pa6Cw7Fa9ph2ifUqqKbbGLGxniGST-k6Jtu0IUrt4wm7NZMpGU1W0fcwR89fNPyLC_tTb3yj9er1GFvJhfxBPYqtyewJ6rlPXwj1KBIO9J_Zws9Vt/s320/Taffy-lsland-Vegetation.jpg" title="Endangered littoral rainforest, Taffy Island" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windswept grassland and horizontal metre-high rainforest attest to the strength of the winds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I am investigating the regional geology to understand the distribution of fauna and flora in the landscape, which is my profession. This post has been prepared to provide an entry point to other resources which provide more detailed and peer reviewed information. Background information used to prepare this post has been drawn from a number of sources including:</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<ul>
<li>‘Rocks and Landscapes of the National Parks of Central Queensland’ by Warwick Willmott (book) - available from <span style="color: navy; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> <a href="http://www.gsa.org.au/" moz-do-not-send="true">www.gsa.org.au</a></span></span>;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/travels-geology-australias-whitsunday-islands-sun-sand-and-silicic-volcanism" target="_blank">Volcanic origin of Whitsundays;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2101518-giant-ancient-supervolcanoes-threw-rock-right-across-australia/" target="_blank">Zircons blasted from Queensland to Western Australia;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiUh6yru8nTAhXIjZQKHeaJClAQFggtMAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fqueensland.gsa.org.au%2Frockland_files%2FR%26L%2520Notes%2520Bruce%2520Highway.pdf&usg=AFQjCNE5p4VXyD0ahiSXqh623u_aZjhcbw&sig2=bNerUueiWXYt9vd4QoCALA" target="_blank">Rocks and Landscape of Bruce Highway between Rockhampton and Mackay</a>;</li>
<li><a href="http://www.anu.edu.au/news/all-news/worlds-longest-continental-volcano-track-found-in-australia" target="_blank">Cosgrove Volcanic Chain</a>; and</li>
<li><a href="http://www.largeigneousprovinces.org/sites/default/files/JVGR%20WVP-Bryan.pdf" target="_blank">Volume of material ejected by Whitsunday Volcanic Province</a>.</li>
</ul>
</div>
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Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com1MacKay, QLD, Australia-21.471630633653458 149.39382154101565-21.589826633653459 149.23246004101566 -21.353434633653457 149.55518304101565tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-81298251250488456722017-03-11T15:19:00.000-08:002017-07-16T21:13:20.432-07:00River Monsters in Mackay?<div class="MsoNormal">
Soft muddy banks are like a canvas that records the animals of
the intertidal forest. Incredibly
delicate feeding patterns from fiddler crabs and fin prints from mudskippers
can be perfectly preserved. And so can the prints of much larger and more mysterious creatures.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1T6H6K6npAo7zkT0Rtm5MQ1Xb2DUN7ooOmtDwGi8vGo3YujSoLWfh7Pv12uVnbEacX1K0bv-jjxGROyNSzs739kHVGWFvW-Q3qQ1FwUjCtDf_iYpFvYNsD71jJQc4vIpLhuFUO-eHyqW3/s1600/Fiddler-crab-feeding-marks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1T6H6K6npAo7zkT0Rtm5MQ1Xb2DUN7ooOmtDwGi8vGo3YujSoLWfh7Pv12uVnbEacX1K0bv-jjxGROyNSzs739kHVGWFvW-Q3qQ1FwUjCtDf_iYpFvYNsD71jJQc4vIpLhuFUO-eHyqW3/s320/Fiddler-crab-feeding-marks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There is no guide to animal tracks in the mangroves, and perhaps it is time to make one, but first I need to figure out what creatures are making the marks.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTsB_F_NcxCVIhAJHyYy9qS1nXRyM0gMTuOLqUsJQy9hSafVF0158G-an70jnb4b1-6H89EasLDzjyxO-IxMyhP9Ft5F-R0VuBn1CsbEwl36a-PzQDuleGM95lEDBsBb_g_0oyVTHSRwZ/s1600/Constant-Creek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTsB_F_NcxCVIhAJHyYy9qS1nXRyM0gMTuOLqUsJQy9hSafVF0158G-an70jnb4b1-6H89EasLDzjyxO-IxMyhP9Ft5F-R0VuBn1CsbEwl36a-PzQDuleGM95lEDBsBb_g_0oyVTHSRwZ/s320/Constant-Creek.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the brackish headwaters of a small river near Mackay, I noticed that the tidal riverbanks were perforated with triangular pits that were
the size of a man’s fist. There were no
footprints associated with the pits so this rules out birds and mud crabs. The pits were too delicate for
crocodiles. That leaves only fish, rays and
turtles. The mud is not dug out; rather a face has been pushed into the mud
judging by the raised lip of displaced mud around the pit. A mouthful of mud seems to be gulped in. Plugs of mud with mouth prints could be found scattered around beside the
holes. Some were ribbed, suggesting the creature’s
mouth had a ribbed roof or that the mud was pushed out past grooves in the creature’s
mouth. Other plugs were curved and
smooth. The plugs of mud were as big as
a cast from a human mouth would be. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0d7PXvuX3gAAiE21dn_1D7GFuRrNwWQFCh_AM9WG0ZkWZJX3eA_vvepGjtHMakJasOy-Tyw84RHo1VKN4tpTMY0xJGSVKZiXX79GE1RfAQrTVJX7eajn33E2SxOzMuRb4shFRI4IM8_Au/s1600/Triangular-pit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0d7PXvuX3gAAiE21dn_1D7GFuRrNwWQFCh_AM9WG0ZkWZJX3eA_vvepGjtHMakJasOy-Tyw84RHo1VKN4tpTMY0xJGSVKZiXX79GE1RfAQrTVJX7eajn33E2SxOzMuRb4shFRI4IM8_Au/s320/Triangular-pit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each pit is about 10 cm long and are similar to coffee cup in volume</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzp5OU2hw4Z59q_E-TbhnIUMb8ZOqAA9LvphNRsWetgNTZLlZEHA6gwvzFEukfxQOtqIpfUpE_QU6cRW2liiRy641rk7vyUZd7cdbI6TkL0uFiHLoYd1W6V2LKVy6PzD86xhiVi8hyYYx/s1600/Mouth-cast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzp5OU2hw4Z59q_E-TbhnIUMb8ZOqAA9LvphNRsWetgNTZLlZEHA6gwvzFEukfxQOtqIpfUpE_QU6cRW2liiRy641rk7vyUZd7cdbI6TkL0uFiHLoYd1W6V2LKVy6PzD86xhiVi8hyYYx/s320/Mouth-cast.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 'mouth' print in the discarded plug of mud.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLnRYqmm1MM8mpwPMRs9LOxRt7ESZ4Ia6ZqLeEDfTLpyvnHuYzxmRLD468BiBo4K40nnUkIwGHjJg5vEP6h01Lu_rpSTThIxypocrJAepGe5h1dcYSaXAGl1pAtk9wnYm5gl38RH0y16f/s1600/Mouth-cast-smooth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLnRYqmm1MM8mpwPMRs9LOxRt7ESZ4Ia6ZqLeEDfTLpyvnHuYzxmRLD468BiBo4K40nnUkIwGHjJg5vEP6h01Lu_rpSTThIxypocrJAepGe5h1dcYSaXAGl1pAtk9wnYm5gl38RH0y16f/s320/Mouth-cast-smooth.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A smooth plug, which might represent the other lower surface of the plug.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rarely some very unusual fin prints were found near the triangular pits. The tracks were about half a metre wide. I suspect that these are from a different creature.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY87VDEXIxUVhxsBxVV8j1sTWW-SPpM1c5P3xb2AFWnEtEBfR3_1IYzhYeyqVXMo8p1Pgtz_bVFv9KFY0nVHyCPx3QcwAB4RXVzLGqmzfYVBIB7rsOd4rprx0RnNZ_CMUW4UaJMDQySNTX/s1600/Fin-prints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY87VDEXIxUVhxsBxVV8j1sTWW-SPpM1c5P3xb2AFWnEtEBfR3_1IYzhYeyqVXMo8p1Pgtz_bVFv9KFY0nVHyCPx3QcwAB4RXVzLGqmzfYVBIB7rsOd4rprx0RnNZ_CMUW4UaJMDQySNTX/s320/Fin-prints.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mysterious track - sample 1 (click to enlarge)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQfLgI5QG5p2hJfU0ejBToqeFL5CYJRs1xwCuqhd4r2Cb0okDTYhLCDkntA014h4TWl0g7F3JsHGNzSsPsiFfyIWOoh0xZ2E-v7tmyNkyXu4B1uC3a6jsaGdhegZOYkxQaoRwZWsXbACX/s1600/more-fin-prints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQfLgI5QG5p2hJfU0ejBToqeFL5CYJRs1xwCuqhd4r2Cb0okDTYhLCDkntA014h4TWl0g7F3JsHGNzSsPsiFfyIWOoh0xZ2E-v7tmyNkyXu4B1uC3a6jsaGdhegZOYkxQaoRwZWsXbACX/s320/more-fin-prints.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mysterious track - sample 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The stream was too narrow to turn the boat and there was a good sized crocodile slide just metres away, so I did not retrieve samples. The place was heavily pitted. Fiddler crabs were the only obvious source of food on the riverbank. They were present in extraordinary density and could barely be bothered to hide when I approached. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3sS4iBqw2XC3BdiL9CS540k-V7joTW8XOGZrzepX8C2OjUZ2OkQQdFCFRBEfelIGfH9Mv0z3EtYpWKyRzV9AABf6URBd4n2pxpoRUhL4S8lLBOi_5KlTQbux9dHbK8HZ4ya4KgLRmxmW/s1600/crocodile-slide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3sS4iBqw2XC3BdiL9CS540k-V7joTW8XOGZrzepX8C2OjUZ2OkQQdFCFRBEfelIGfH9Mv0z3EtYpWKyRzV9AABf6URBd4n2pxpoRUhL4S8lLBOi_5KlTQbux9dHbK8HZ4ya4KgLRmxmW/s320/crocodile-slide.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crocodile slide with polished belly patch and scratches from a largish croc.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxm1efCKwhNdRLvTDL3K091v2CV7Mff9hjlq-hLK5MarScrj4iqIZ7FksdSl3t3vKn3WjHT9kceTLdAI33Dy4tKH9tKKdi4Tz7yEEUhj_gPHwR6oO6lzhsWd-vazVobTRSbpayFgcp0Di/s1600/Uca-coarctata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxm1efCKwhNdRLvTDL3K091v2CV7Mff9hjlq-hLK5MarScrj4iqIZ7FksdSl3t3vKn3WjHT9kceTLdAI33Dy4tKH9tKKdi4Tz7yEEUhj_gPHwR6oO6lzhsWd-vazVobTRSbpayFgcp0Di/s320/Uca-coarctata.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The density of the pits in this are is similar to the density of fiddler crabs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since then, I have started to see the triangular pits
elsewhere. On the tidal flats, there are also signs that fiddler crabs
are on the menu. Holes of a slightly different
shape are present along with long cylindrical plugs of mud.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7tz106Mnjrsez20rbppamr_qPDNAXzEftNgxLhUwvef6NtpZyboFQNSb51_Kk-0wqjJumdcEAx4yQYSCS3zmgyggiMsMNsg1QPjO7y3Er2TrYyzMWCXPg__6EeTYNp6PivQzxR-077B2/s1600/Fish-mud-plugs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7tz106Mnjrsez20rbppamr_qPDNAXzEftNgxLhUwvef6NtpZyboFQNSb51_Kk-0wqjJumdcEAx4yQYSCS3zmgyggiMsMNsg1QPjO7y3Er2TrYyzMWCXPg__6EeTYNp6PivQzxR-077B2/s320/Fish-mud-plugs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Round holes with fang grooves and long plugs of mud </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Whatever makes these strange marks is likely to be very hard
to observe. It is difficult to sneak up
on animals in shallow waters, and the
turbidity of the water makes using underwater cameras a challenge. If you know which creature makes these tracks,
please leave a comment.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com0Cape Hillsborough QLD 4740, Australia-20.936904646203363 149.01248921796878-20.966565646203364 148.97214871796876 -20.907243646203362 149.05282971796879tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-7960862949319863412017-03-03T14:08:00.000-08:002018-02-14T16:08:05.857-08:00Postcard from Clairview, Central Queensland<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After traveling for
hours through dry cattle country on Australia's national highway, suddenly encountering an uncanny light blue sea at Clairview makes a big impression. The township of Clairview is a string of houses along a beach without even a petrol station or a shop. However, there is a caravan park where people can and should stop for a day and experience the late afternoon vista from the beer garden on the beach.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_J71apFI0BOThF1DOpE4Gjs7tThMbGHe791k5sl-cFFQtHR3oxWVSbynN-ixR_NSxsh9kWetS1lvS0fiABhz_CzqOlaeY8CuwlCVybvUjATq8q4CqPJYglo9bOAHGTEmTtuHKGZD8iOA/s1600/Clairview-lookout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Beach at Clairview" border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_J71apFI0BOThF1DOpE4Gjs7tThMbGHe791k5sl-cFFQtHR3oxWVSbynN-ixR_NSxsh9kWetS1lvS0fiABhz_CzqOlaeY8CuwlCVybvUjATq8q4CqPJYglo9bOAHGTEmTtuHKGZD8iOA/s320/Clairview-lookout.jpg" title="View of Clairview coastal scenery, Issac Shire, Central Queensland" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thirteen islands hover on the far horizon (click to enlarge)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The bright colour of the sea is from clay suspended
in the water. Huge tides slosh back and forth in the enormous and famously muddy Broad Sound which lies just to the south. Mixing of these muddy waters with the clean blue Coral Sea creates the curious sea colour at Clairview.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUGXwRX1XXV0rQeQylx5LVpbrz0yrAEqK4fHAy1-uQYfc6viEARJZ57YBkAoi0q9FXceW_ioEhZbwiWOcBuyvKxNWykWVerkacOMJyi3eWCpWULFdQmT_3TyzHLWDv10KKmgL0BYFOUdQ/s1600/Sandfly-Creek-Clairview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUGXwRX1XXV0rQeQylx5LVpbrz0yrAEqK4fHAy1-uQYfc6viEARJZ57YBkAoi0q9FXceW_ioEhZbwiWOcBuyvKxNWykWVerkacOMJyi3eWCpWULFdQmT_3TyzHLWDv10KKmgL0BYFOUdQ/s320/Sandfly-Creek-Clairview.jpg" title="Sandfly Creek at Clairview" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colour of the water at high tide in a mangrove creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At low tide, sand
flats stretch toward the horizon and hold the promise of interesting
creatures to anyone brave enough to seek the low water mark. Large
tides have a reputation for catching people unaware and sweeping them
away. With that in mind, I thought I would take a look.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBfHYCP6mDSTZvieo2DastHa-Zk2BQXwSVEftsJrO7P3X7Khykl1iGqbSfcl_1TZQbyse4xt5WM1MGstTe3RdVEx1JBwtfJqonxbZWHrZEny9jM57wh3t30YcSGgiovlp2CiMvRda8C8n/s1600/Rocky-shoals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBfHYCP6mDSTZvieo2DastHa-Zk2BQXwSVEftsJrO7P3X7Khykl1iGqbSfcl_1TZQbyse4xt5WM1MGstTe3RdVEx1JBwtfJqonxbZWHrZEny9jM57wh3t30YcSGgiovlp2CiMvRda8C8n/s320/Rocky-shoals.jpg" title="Cobble shoal at Clairview, Central Queensland" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stony shoals extent for hundreds of metres from tiny creek mouths</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The seabed is like a
wet desert. In places it has sand so fine that it flows around your
feet like mud. Elsewhere, hard sand ripples form troughs that
hold soupy liquid clay. Surprisingly most sandflat creatures like
sand dollars and moon snails are not smothered by the sediment despite being immersed in it.
Small sand crabs attack you in their crazy style of self-defense.
Dugong feeding scars crisscross the sparse beds of seagrass.
Sometimes there are turtle body prints in the mud.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrEUBn44cgjAGXrulpw3YcEuypFVv6-53jGxjjnMMt03fgs94SpMBCxyfhmrU_AVfs9PATurg_Fq4GxsG-Ki-vrbgbkIGKjUbPsjc78arMwPJUIiCz4e5tL11NiU1bDjpyKcZX5GZwrbQ/s1600/Dugong-feeding-trails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrEUBn44cgjAGXrulpw3YcEuypFVv6-53jGxjjnMMt03fgs94SpMBCxyfhmrU_AVfs9PATurg_Fq4GxsG-Ki-vrbgbkIGKjUbPsjc78arMwPJUIiCz4e5tL11NiU1bDjpyKcZX5GZwrbQ/s320/Dugong-feeding-trails.jpg" title="Dugong feeding tracks at Clairview" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dugong feeding trails</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcx8bQVPCo_flIyWqiGA7_XT-F8oyWN8gupXXrPusbVDWDc2ub25SGCvD0XAi68NrLtXISxltlvMIZW8oUn1-dEYL9Fp6jZx5_ZLKLowtiuNynFtNhdO-C6D5I9I4DeNVLF7F4yvT3Z1XN/s1600/Turtle-body-print-mud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcx8bQVPCo_flIyWqiGA7_XT-F8oyWN8gupXXrPusbVDWDc2ub25SGCvD0XAi68NrLtXISxltlvMIZW8oUn1-dEYL9Fp6jZx5_ZLKLowtiuNynFtNhdO-C6D5I9I4DeNVLF7F4yvT3Z1XN/s320/Turtle-body-print-mud.jpg" title="Turtle tracks in mud" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marine turtle body print</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TkSR01KAiM6CAmhzFDbpYvFPMS2lPy38NQ1fra-UqfVCPZ1pr6rTwA4OzfBLih52uLgo747jDzDW6bjcmxoAXoqSGTL4eeYhSd4mAVAmBWQpDBl8UUVNIRbH9Mj996-xmVK4gZqvsl1S/s1600/Juvenile-sand-crab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Portunus pelagicus" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TkSR01KAiM6CAmhzFDbpYvFPMS2lPy38NQ1fra-UqfVCPZ1pr6rTwA4OzfBLih52uLgo747jDzDW6bjcmxoAXoqSGTL4eeYhSd4mAVAmBWQpDBl8UUVNIRbH9Mj996-xmVK4gZqvsl1S/s320/Juvenile-sand-crab.jpg" title="Sand Crab" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Sand Crab on the defensive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The tide does not
rush in so badly and anyone who can walk would be safe although it
does gurgle as it flows over the rippled sand.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4GzJZIABacqCSbcZUgnVS8CeoEXgSRXlbzZR6XNbQZHGrmxFiNgviXlai8eLD_TjShS45f3vIQcOCOcj89oc8G2xh434_L39MtOaps59LxZ_aIZ_pwP1c7-TST3UHvnVt7buAB-RDpUT/s1600/Incoming-tide-Clairview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4GzJZIABacqCSbcZUgnVS8CeoEXgSRXlbzZR6XNbQZHGrmxFiNgviXlai8eLD_TjShS45f3vIQcOCOcj89oc8G2xh434_L39MtOaps59LxZ_aIZ_pwP1c7-TST3UHvnVt7buAB-RDpUT/s320/Incoming-tide-Clairview.jpg" title="Highly turbid coastal waters" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the calmest of days the incoming tide stirs the sediments into milk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Near the beach is a
sculptured layer of rock. All around the region, this concrete-like layer of rock also appears
in the beds of streams both freshwater and marine. Vast areas of land in Central and Southern Queensland apparently have this rocky hardpan lurking just below the soil surface. It is an
ignored geological feature as it is neither mineral or soil. The
sole scientific paper I could find struggled to explain how and why
the rock formed. It appears to be a relict from a past climate and
is composed of aluminium and silicate compounds of similar chemistry
to clay. It is solid, contains embedded stones and is neither laterite or silcrete.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoIoeA_TGo_a-RAGfdCJtOrzTKXIBO1e5e0Aqwt4FC1Rp_hcm2JlGBwbxd29K5_40NR4gzycpjlzVW3j6KN2gRMQ-91J0P-Ngo6e1_V5uW17phTVi7kPw_nN-HIUppK5rJzki0U4xjWi9/s1600/Indurated-hardpan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="hardpan with encrusting oysters" border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoIoeA_TGo_a-RAGfdCJtOrzTKXIBO1e5e0Aqwt4FC1Rp_hcm2JlGBwbxd29K5_40NR4gzycpjlzVW3j6KN2gRMQ-91J0P-Ngo6e1_V5uW17phTVi7kPw_nN-HIUppK5rJzki0U4xjWi9/s320/Indurated-hardpan.jpg" title="Relict hardpan resists erosion by sea at Clairview" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relict hardpan sculptured by the sea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXF3WS8qVibULs02iTZCCIzSbANgAfmb-WYNtllNTN2f2cOhYv9k3VoGMZ8Cn5ezMT7aHVP_F2mkMNI7j-ICQlb2wedxWeNDiTJi5GaG1vMgHmUiPUK_U1Lnx8RguCr9yStzQz9h9k8CZV/s1600/Clairview-Creek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Clairview Creek, Central Queensland" border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXF3WS8qVibULs02iTZCCIzSbANgAfmb-WYNtllNTN2f2cOhYv9k3VoGMZ8Cn5ezMT7aHVP_F2mkMNI7j-ICQlb2wedxWeNDiTJi5GaG1vMgHmUiPUK_U1Lnx8RguCr9yStzQz9h9k8CZV/s320/Clairview-Creek.jpg" title="Clairview Creek near mouth at low tide" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hardpan studded with stones in the bed of the mangrove creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The presence of this sheet of rock just below the surface
makes the bush on the coastal plain struggle to survive as the
shallow soils flip from very wet to very dry with the seasons. It is perhaps one of the reasons why Central Queensland has so little agriculture and so few people. At
Clairview the rock forms reefs that are encrusted with oysters. The hollowed
and twisted stone shapes are strangely photogenic.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Definitely wear shoes,
as every stone has a forest of oysters. The oysters grow vertically on the stone surface and colonies are like a shag pile carpet. Perhaps this orientation frustrates the oyster drills that feed on these colonies as moving over the colony that presents only sharp edges must be hard.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Jicf6phI9gR043OUaMNY-b7_6n7G5_FlI7uOxktLyOR6161ux4eo4vU4vy8n_emj8QRRJUIFmTvY_3CrBx5qDed8v33152B40NRZ-HctpYXUpyrdnE4iOugJ4YOkRiVpZD2lgchjWNtM/s1600/Oysters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Jicf6phI9gR043OUaMNY-b7_6n7G5_FlI7uOxktLyOR6161ux4eo4vU4vy8n_emj8QRRJUIFmTvY_3CrBx5qDed8v33152B40NRZ-HctpYXUpyrdnE4iOugJ4YOkRiVpZD2lgchjWNtM/s320/Oysters.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small variety of oyster that stands on end.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Scattered along the
coast and sometimes well out on the sand flats are small stands of
mangroves. Some open stands of large trees resemble parkland.</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TKITV2CMy2nb2O08lZeka-PRNeOJoWrxByqCTs5KzrepYMHiz4jFrqem8iOhO-iITqsdUCZx22n6QkolJcUAK05o0SvF649bPVmCfSPf5EJWXZgzXvNPFTcefTKv76NAZLxg9NSqSsZs/s1600/Scattered-mangroves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TKITV2CMy2nb2O08lZeka-PRNeOJoWrxByqCTs5KzrepYMHiz4jFrqem8iOhO-iITqsdUCZx22n6QkolJcUAK05o0SvF649bPVmCfSPf5EJWXZgzXvNPFTcefTKv76NAZLxg9NSqSsZs/s320/Scattered-mangroves.jpg" title="Mangroves on beach in Issac Shire, Queensland" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flock Pigeon Island lies just off-shore</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRp05zwmNQtzvbPQqxL-zzo3my023i1wWz2MVVwzwiYU2HJNJP99NJU91Ok67jFp0mUMB0w7m-DSdmQbIBhH6V3O5OpivCqRMMHvTdUDQZ9990AHEgDLlSGKDTYGPqP9lrjhCHucTwbcoW/s1600/Large-Avicennia-Clairview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRp05zwmNQtzvbPQqxL-zzo3my023i1wWz2MVVwzwiYU2HJNJP99NJU91Ok67jFp0mUMB0w7m-DSdmQbIBhH6V3O5OpivCqRMMHvTdUDQZ9990AHEgDLlSGKDTYGPqP9lrjhCHucTwbcoW/s320/Large-Avicennia-Clairview.jpg" title="Mangroves at Clairview, Central Queensland" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larger mangroves provide some handy shade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Clairview is a place of sand and sky and a milky sea. It offers a picturesque desolation and serenity.<br />
<br />
See also: <a href="http://queenslandcoast.blogspot.com.au/2018/02/wildlife-of-clairview-and-st-lawrence.html" target="_blank">Wildlife of Clairview and St Lawrence </a></div>
Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com0Clairview, Australia-22.120210848640831 149.53678852685562-22.14963034864083 149.4964480268556 -22.090791348640831 149.57712902685563tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-61422413480799139802017-01-11T12:44:00.001-08:002017-01-11T12:44:23.215-08:00The Rakali, Australia's answer to an Otter <div class="MsoNormal">
A Rakali is a large semi-aquatic rodent that is Australia’s
closest equivalent to an otter. They are
also commonly known as water rats, however this name bothers me as the animal
is clearly different from a rat.
Recently the Australian government decided that it was time to refer to
native Australian animals using aboriginal names and Rakali is the name used
for this animal by the people of the Murray-Darling river system. Rakali are present across most of Australia,
along both rivers and near the sea.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KdobZxyYWOtoj8T5sO5gkGSM_bpZH5-H7fRDv5rJzU9gDdifVOVsEjHALpdJllqsF6oNDfeug9eaAqWNEFni9JVF63B2ElakKDPHF1m7HJcCYIPd3kaOx7tiWaFNUIUlEQ1cGLJOPDrv/s1600/Rakali.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KdobZxyYWOtoj8T5sO5gkGSM_bpZH5-H7fRDv5rJzU9gDdifVOVsEjHALpdJllqsF6oNDfeug9eaAqWNEFni9JVF63B2ElakKDPHF1m7HJcCYIPd3kaOx7tiWaFNUIUlEQ1cGLJOPDrv/s320/Rakali.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Rakali (Photo: Mike Trennery, wettropics.gov.au)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Rakali is a major predator of crabs, particularly the
larger semi-terrestrial crabs such as the crabs that live in mangroves and
ghost crabs from sandy beaches. Seeing
a Rakali is very difficult as they are nocturnal and usually, they are detected
by footprints. In mangrove swamps near
Cairns, it is common for the mangrove forest floor to be almost covered with
foot prints, such is the scale of their activity. I suspect that their presence is one of the
reasons why mangrove crabs are mainly diurnal.
In turn Rakali might fall prey to large owls and pythons which also
visit mangrove swamps.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdCqFgwhB5xQ56hS16nby0BtzNcMTtQxECQB9tPaUDzoKtEMCJUny5FtRjvA3W6dr-6gmgYj3B2LhiwNwRn4q8uJD-Cb36B1hgAbYJN8RiqrM9La7xYypOcGEKysaH1UAtqSmhdL1rfI-/s1600/Australian-water-rat-footprints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdCqFgwhB5xQ56hS16nby0BtzNcMTtQxECQB9tPaUDzoKtEMCJUny5FtRjvA3W6dr-6gmgYj3B2LhiwNwRn4q8uJD-Cb36B1hgAbYJN8RiqrM9La7xYypOcGEKysaH1UAtqSmhdL1rfI-/s320/Australian-water-rat-footprints.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front feet leave star-shaped prints and back feet, long prints with webbed toes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rakali also forage along beaches and I often see their
footprints in freshly reworked sand of creek mouths. Recently I found Rakali track on the beach at
Slade Point near Mackay and decided to follow them. The beach is almost a surf beach and is
exposed to strong winds and high wind waves.
At both ends of the beach there is a rocky headland and the Rakali
tracks ran along the high tide line from one headland to the other. As the tide peaked just after dark, the
Rakali must have traversed the beach whilst there were still traces of sunlight
in the sky. It is an audacious move for
such a small animal to travel a 850 m distance completely exposed. On the way across the beach, the Rakali
caught and ate a ghost crab.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4JxaNfDU6KWilV7I20Oh4sBoBYL7JIJSJAIpZnrugGSjZCXMz8i6-RtqXEsEOPfsPG12lJG8V18RCG52V6GHkttpuWLVM-txQCfTZXIFMGUbRbLIXmGFouolaxICCe8-k57SNkXhyyR0/s1600/Ghost-crab-remains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4JxaNfDU6KWilV7I20Oh4sBoBYL7JIJSJAIpZnrugGSjZCXMz8i6-RtqXEsEOPfsPG12lJG8V18RCG52V6GHkttpuWLVM-txQCfTZXIFMGUbRbLIXmGFouolaxICCe8-k57SNkXhyyR0/s320/Ghost-crab-remains.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remains of the ghost crab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rakali reach approximately 1.3 kg in weight with a body length of nearly 40 cm so they are much larger than rats. They
are known to forage almost 3 km a night, however I don’t know if anyone has previously recorded them crossing of 850 m km of
exposed beach in a few minutes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslaxRDIbazl-XEFody4SMuM03qovVyVHjdvDC0vqaogVXgw72vzuyJQMVWO2_3YqJgI3_Ui4tmj88buvZ_sa6GHWvptTwzzPg3cvZSvFnvdkWxHbBVsGwAneKvsqSCwBQM8791Utv28Gz/s1600/Slade-Point-Moonlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslaxRDIbazl-XEFody4SMuM03qovVyVHjdvDC0vqaogVXgw72vzuyJQMVWO2_3YqJgI3_Ui4tmj88buvZ_sa6GHWvptTwzzPg3cvZSvFnvdkWxHbBVsGwAneKvsqSCwBQM8791Utv28Gz/s320/Slade-Point-Moonlight.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dangerous, rogue waves often wash 10 m higher up than normal waves<br />
Photo of Lamberts Lookout in moonlight at 8:30 pm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fIQSJXf1fJXlQkPBMHspqLwxSeZ3gERn_1kt4cDscI_Md3rM2eMYsJZ1g5IXH_vUzQO2wvF2XK7LsEhe57SBtJC-D8pdCx44h3XRfLqp-QE_voyJNuiyUkRXIAQ4VYypUnLua62WpopK/s1600/Lamberts-Beach-Slade-Point.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fIQSJXf1fJXlQkPBMHspqLwxSeZ3gERn_1kt4cDscI_Md3rM2eMYsJZ1g5IXH_vUzQO2wvF2XK7LsEhe57SBtJC-D8pdCx44h3XRfLqp-QE_voyJNuiyUkRXIAQ4VYypUnLua62WpopK/s320/Lamberts-Beach-Slade-Point.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lamberts Beach, which the Rakali crossed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rakali often drown in crab and yabbi pots, particularly in
freshwater. In South Australia, net crayfish pots have been banned due to the toll they take on turtles, Rakali and
Platypus. If you want to use yabbi traps, please check on the internet how to avoid wildlife kills. Rakali may not swim as often
in estuarine systems as they would be prone to attack by large fish and
crocodiles. Tides also expose their
prey, so they may not have need to dive. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com1Mackay QLD, Australia-21.0739941642017 149.22758063769538-21.1036261642017 149.18724013769537 -21.0443621642017 149.2679211376954tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-26646328975158226422016-12-06T14:18:00.002-08:002016-12-06T14:18:57.695-08:00Giant Tides and Intertidal Fauna<div class="MsoNormal">
Central Queensland has some highest tides in
Australia, with a tidal range of as much as 7 m, and I was wondering what
effect such a tidal range has on the intertidal fauna. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rocky headlands on the Mackay Coast are spectacularly jagged with
angular boulders seemingly arranged to present as many sharp angles as
possible. The way the boulders are stacked is reminiscent of the concrete the
landing craft traps that were used in
World War 2. Could tsunamis or super
cyclones have contributed to this artistry?
I do not know, all I know is that the boulders are shaped and arranged differently to what I
have seen elsewhere.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcu6aNV8564DHVZqzK6o8006NhdR608znEJcPT0nLYhc3busKKuR5jGAbIOp-kJYeAXZiapeeFWhTDumf3IO0GXidyf2v4I9eGYb0AXHgStbqn2YGGfqePrwh51K-BtLNZWn9aaYvFM6-h/s1600/Rocky-coast-Sarina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcu6aNV8564DHVZqzK6o8006NhdR608znEJcPT0nLYhc3busKKuR5jGAbIOp-kJYeAXZiapeeFWhTDumf3IO0GXidyf2v4I9eGYb0AXHgStbqn2YGGfqePrwh51K-BtLNZWn9aaYvFM6-h/s320/Rocky-coast-Sarina.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The intertidal boulder field at Perpetua Point, Sarina is over 100 m wide. (click to zoom in)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMIfz8h-OO-kupILs5fG6Lu6qxRGaLGjknls30zNqrWaBm-GpGG8jKBkArHX_jkVWlw-_d3euNt09mGq3G3Q_tQR1k7xR0ht9nOcIgph90Oj3jVOxRFH2b6CIpIMAqTjhyUtIN8AyYBfS/s1600/Rocks-Sarina-Queensland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMIfz8h-OO-kupILs5fG6Lu6qxRGaLGjknls30zNqrWaBm-GpGG8jKBkArHX_jkVWlw-_d3euNt09mGq3G3Q_tQR1k7xR0ht9nOcIgph90Oj3jVOxRFH2b6CIpIMAqTjhyUtIN8AyYBfS/s320/Rocks-Sarina-Queensland.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many of the rocks are sharply pointed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2pNvb_wgK4KjMndce8Mf8vlWN9ivISluhR-ToMsdm91w242SJBfPSO5X9fNnI2gdPNcxG9lXY__4B5fskf82ovB2CPZ0_ROrxH4w-Rk3mNyt1mFp6K5fUdrcWN2oHlcjhIawUIbsBpMU/s1600/Rocks-at-Ball-beach-queensland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2pNvb_wgK4KjMndce8Mf8vlWN9ivISluhR-ToMsdm91w242SJBfPSO5X9fNnI2gdPNcxG9lXY__4B5fskf82ovB2CPZ0_ROrxH4w-Rk3mNyt1mFp6K5fUdrcWN2oHlcjhIawUIbsBpMU/s320/Rocks-at-Ball-beach-queensland.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More than 100 km north at Ball Beach, fields of angular rocks surround the headland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These complex and stable rocky landscapes should provide the
perfect habitat for a wide range of intertidal fauna,
but they are virtually barren. In both
the Cairns region and in the oyster
growing areas of NSW, oysters are clustered
in the mid to upper intertidal area but on the
Mackay Coast, they are only to be found
in the lower intertidal zone. Barnacles
present a similar story. I would even suggest that this pattern
extends to the small snails such as <i>Nodilittorina</i>
which graze on the algal crust on the surface of boulders. Usually,
these small snails are present is such numbers that it is hard not to step on them, yet in Central Queensland, one
almost has to search for them. It will
not be a small undertaking to figure out why this apparent intertidal paradise
is all but empty. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDR_PuoctHVR8ecYESb3KImLGMxLcLAzDp4JxeNDE5_mlZGiq-gyZyFrehU1jb1iVmCrqzCGXn56c2pvsuXt43LA7RrN53mzQyGLlLRdp5k0vn6VsHcYGLmlYPhd8JyWIM0D7mtujBL8v/s1600/Oyster-rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDR_PuoctHVR8ecYESb3KImLGMxLcLAzDp4JxeNDE5_mlZGiq-gyZyFrehU1jb1iVmCrqzCGXn56c2pvsuXt43LA7RrN53mzQyGLlLRdp5k0vn6VsHcYGLmlYPhd8JyWIM0D7mtujBL8v/s320/Oyster-rock.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oysters and barnacles cling to the low tide line, normally they are much higher.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It is not that oysters and barnacles are not trying to colonise.
Low growing mangrove trees have barnacles and occasional oysters growing
on the twigs in their canopies. Tropical
periwinkles (<i>Planaxis sultcatus</i>) often
had small oyster shells on their shells, something I have not seen before. Even the gravel that forms shoals in the sand
flats is almost carpeted with small
mostly dead oysters. On reflection, I
think that salt is what makes the rocks so hostile. Exactly how, I do not know, but the vegetation
of the headlands is cropped by the wind until it is less than ankle deep. I think the factor that cuts the vegetation
on the hills is also the factor that makes the rocks so barren below high tide
level. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavDqYR5mQXf7UoHg29k2TKZy2IdF2ef3lHJHvtMivPRqQIpda-XOXKTVz7A3Lc1pvlQO7kLrGwnwz7iTdPOgJ42n3aniKmzCLPW4sqWbzcnPJKPcTZXI6kdYfi-J6wyrkofooCTlcwKIM/s1600/Oyster-spat-on-periwinkle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavDqYR5mQXf7UoHg29k2TKZy2IdF2ef3lHJHvtMivPRqQIpda-XOXKTVz7A3Lc1pvlQO7kLrGwnwz7iTdPOgJ42n3aniKmzCLPW4sqWbzcnPJKPcTZXI6kdYfi-J6wyrkofooCTlcwKIM/s320/Oyster-spat-on-periwinkle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least a quarter of the periwinkes at Slade Point had dead oysters on their shells</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHNqOY0e0kQ3ElfIUq6PBp6SZeONEVkuGipjYahMz24k3vzqoUMIdNO7muwoLko2PsGtUjxMc4WAT9sFg3jvjU8SvJTEHWUJCLvM4eehKbPg7lRWzvn4lx14K2WssuNmwDyccsEam7hUq/s1600/Barnacles-on-mangrove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHNqOY0e0kQ3ElfIUq6PBp6SZeONEVkuGipjYahMz24k3vzqoUMIdNO7muwoLko2PsGtUjxMc4WAT9sFg3jvjU8SvJTEHWUJCLvM4eehKbPg7lRWzvn4lx14K2WssuNmwDyccsEam7hUq/s320/Barnacles-on-mangrove.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The low mangroves near the headlands are coated with barnacles (Slade Point)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoYgvYXK7WtosNPJoN1M0hTk5ZevnftzdzVdQmBk-Ku1-3zaSolKS6AXWxOLlqdybXopEI7NCHuqps-FKoH47j3CNlemCynYIBfIbQ5PqtxgTXXTYefS90DvaQl1e1RF426OcqBeDBdqs/s1600/Barnacles-in-foliage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoYgvYXK7WtosNPJoN1M0hTk5ZevnftzdzVdQmBk-Ku1-3zaSolKS6AXWxOLlqdybXopEI7NCHuqps-FKoH47j3CNlemCynYIBfIbQ5PqtxgTXXTYefS90DvaQl1e1RF426OcqBeDBdqs/s320/Barnacles-in-foliage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trees that are tall enough to walk under have barnacles in their canopy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With 7 m tides, the sandy beaches are vast, being more than
150 m from the high tide mark to low tide level. For comparison, Cairns has a 3.6 m tidal range and the beaches are about 30 m wide from
vegetation line to the toe of the beach and Bribie Island near Brisbane which
has a tidal range of about 2.2 m also has beaches of 30 m width. The huge tidal range seems to fill the beach
with water on a high tide and this water
seeps out of the beach when the tide falls.
For a beach to be steep and narrow, swash running up the beach has to
soak in, something that does not happen on beaches where water is seeping from
the face of the beach, and the beach slopes in Central Queensland are very low. A lower slope makes the beaches very wide.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5Jzm6iCqUsra2gSo9d8l60q5mqbDPtVhEjYZFTk8Arf-AUkAu9lG3bXB-S1Ja7mmx0YaRo57_itg2QOAlSFLJT6lxsiJdvFP2IW04Clwe4h7tHLKn4kzYkXYo2aJN43oI3j3kUmL26pH/s1600/Grasstree-beach-Sarina-low-tide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5Jzm6iCqUsra2gSo9d8l60q5mqbDPtVhEjYZFTk8Arf-AUkAu9lG3bXB-S1Ja7mmx0YaRo57_itg2QOAlSFLJT6lxsiJdvFP2IW04Clwe4h7tHLKn4kzYkXYo2aJN43oI3j3kUmL26pH/s320/Grasstree-beach-Sarina-low-tide.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You almost need wheels to get across the beach, Grasstree Beach near Sarina.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of my interests are the filter feeders of the swash
zone. While
I have only briefly looked at Central Queensland beaches, it seems that the
filter feeders are almost absent. A walk
along the high tide line reveals very few <a href="http://queenslandcoast.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/fauna-in-swash-zone-of-tropical-beach.html" target="_blank">wedge shells, which are the most common filter feeder in northern Australia</a>. My
guess is that the rough choppy seas and huge tides combine to create an
environment where the tidal migration that swash
zone creatures need to undertake become impossible. Filter feeding
animals are present in the surf beaches of Southern Queensland, but surf is
gentle on beaches in comparison to large chop.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ffTJiB4xDuuABde8jEH8T0VgGgMXpq7lVGh7SIrdA0mK0VTLKHnjZq35HBKdHiq-M5ORKgqpqmM9HSkXLnpGc9KHMh05tP5FsjCV0yGcAmzNPE9WC0pkUrH1asLM4kCr7S7FepTSFAUa/s1600/Tide-line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ffTJiB4xDuuABde8jEH8T0VgGgMXpq7lVGh7SIrdA0mK0VTLKHnjZq35HBKdHiq-M5ORKgqpqmM9HSkXLnpGc9KHMh05tP5FsjCV0yGcAmzNPE9WC0pkUrH1asLM4kCr7S7FepTSFAUa/s320/Tide-line.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost no bivalve shells are present in the tide line but pebbles are abundant (East Point)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At low tide, most of
Grasstree Beach at Sarina is carpeted
with the round balls made by sand bubbler crabs. However,
the upper part of the intertidal range seems to belong to insects not crabs. The insects are almost invisible as they have
excellent vision and tend to flee from people before we get close enough to see
them. Sometimes I see the shadow of flying
insects more easily than the insect. It
is strange to share a place where our
vision is excellent and visibility is
great, yet there are creatures that can see you perfectly well but you can’t see them. Shorebirds including seagulls somehow feed on
these creatures which is frustrating when you cannot see anything.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyx9vrJ-utwVjSsWSfpDExR56cdI9VbmTRHq3lDYYxE4NHsoit6jFD-KW3rCoSxdIDxjtjHytLIjLqFn6-ZWgx-ConXV7hsP8xJkyHMlLZa6ov3wnQpv9l32GImmbOzd2wOmxE1nhPi8kR/s1600/Harbour-Beach-Mackay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyx9vrJ-utwVjSsWSfpDExR56cdI9VbmTRHq3lDYYxE4NHsoit6jFD-KW3rCoSxdIDxjtjHytLIjLqFn6-ZWgx-ConXV7hsP8xJkyHMlLZa6ov3wnQpv9l32GImmbOzd2wOmxE1nhPi8kR/s320/Harbour-Beach-Mackay.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Billions of tiny balls carpet the beach at low tide thanks to sand bubbler crabs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJCSpDSV5C7tOA8fbbloqP690FCJsqWcdwOzvbXMwMOZAy09xecDt0wIPDcQFFda3aZnqIpfMckzeeJ_rb-gKNeSlCYYrm2eUDYiwypFbr4-Wb6F1HPOXrkGiUPinbWBLJ1JAY3TnKtn6/s1600/Sand-bubbler-crab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJCSpDSV5C7tOA8fbbloqP690FCJsqWcdwOzvbXMwMOZAy09xecDt0wIPDcQFFda3aZnqIpfMckzeeJ_rb-gKNeSlCYYrm2eUDYiwypFbr4-Wb6F1HPOXrkGiUPinbWBLJ1JAY3TnKtn6/s320/Sand-bubbler-crab.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand bubbler crabs look like sand balls but seagulls still find them and eat them</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On some beaches, tiger beetles run around at high speed to
battle with other tiger beetles or prey on smaller creatures. Tiger beetles flee from us and it is quite hard to get any closer than
about 2 m. I suspect the tiger beetles
are preying on midges or sandflies. On looking for these tiger beetles on the
net, I discovered that the beach tiger beetle of the North American Atlantic
coast looks very similar. The <a href="http://savenaturesavehuman.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/beach-tiger-beetle.html" target="_blank">North American tiger beetle in now an endangered species</a> and there is an interesting story about how a once common species is now on the brink. For me, it is vindication that the time I
invest in understanding creatures that no one else notices is worth something. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4ZOFqkjtbdzmWs1soyKy044aP6GnkffO8_CxxUHxIP2DTEcY4IbVaBhmh8IP8GyAglL9BDS3zokgpvhaN0qM1U_HYg1McEfeXbFBubLoreXRsJeFDasHN1qnu1vVvRpqDOm4jN2A7SXj/s1600/Beach-tiger-beetles-Queensland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4ZOFqkjtbdzmWs1soyKy044aP6GnkffO8_CxxUHxIP2DTEcY4IbVaBhmh8IP8GyAglL9BDS3zokgpvhaN0qM1U_HYg1McEfeXbFBubLoreXRsJeFDasHN1qnu1vVvRpqDOm4jN2A7SXj/s320/Beach-tiger-beetles-Queensland.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiger beetles mating on Grasstree Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgjSux7FbyK9auNoYMXo9TXF6klk7EL_lm0-BxNuon7of1F48U7YjLKttZv00lxmWpiTIVQ35yrouBVeCUNQoI58F3DW0-Du3vFScaNIuRFH1nF3_QWMDXPVSiCDLZyEqvZ3CK4yvsr1S/s1600/Grasstree-beach-Sarina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgjSux7FbyK9auNoYMXo9TXF6klk7EL_lm0-BxNuon7of1F48U7YjLKttZv00lxmWpiTIVQ35yrouBVeCUNQoI58F3DW0-Du3vFScaNIuRFH1nF3_QWMDXPVSiCDLZyEqvZ3CK4yvsr1S/s320/Grasstree-beach-Sarina.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The smooth wet zone belongs to the tiger beetles and the rest to the sand bubbler crabs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
To see how different Central Queensland is from Far North Queensland, see links below:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://queenslandcoast.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/where-sea-is-not-salty-enough-mouth-of.html" target="_blank">Mouth of Johnstone River in wettest part of Queensland</a>;</li>
<li><a href="http://queenslandcoast.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/around-rocks-at-island-point-port.html" target="_blank">Island Point, Port Douglas which is similar to Perpetua Point</a>;</li>
<li><a href="http://queenslandcoast.blogspot.com.au/2016/08/oyster-reefs-of-far-north-queensland.html" target="_blank">Oyster Reefs of Far North Queensland</a>;</li>
<li><a href="http://queenslandcoast.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/fauna-in-swash-zone-of-tropical-beach.html" target="_blank">Fauna of the swash zone near Cairns</a>;</li>
<li><a href="http://queenslandcoast.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/largest-landslide-in-australia.html" target="_blank">A Boulder Beach near Cairns</a>.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<o:p></o:p>Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com0MacKay, QLD, Australia-21.337889302164623 149.29598201015619-21.397046302164622 149.2153010101562 -21.278732302164624 149.37666301015619tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-77618203159505728772016-11-12T02:47:00.001-08:002016-11-12T15:01:55.098-08:00Baby Mole CrabsMy observations sometimes form the main on-line documentation
of some species and the mole crab (<i><a href="http://queenslandcoast.blogspot.com/2016/04/fauna-in-swash-zone-of-tropical-beach.html" target="_blank">Albunea symmysta</a></i>) is one of those. Today, I was standing on Holloways Beach near
Cairns, North Queensland, Australia when I started seeing little split pea-sized creatures zipping at speed
across the wet sand after each wave. They
would dive into the sand a moment before it dried. Within a fraction of a second after the swash
had retreated leaving only wet sand between waves, they were moving 15-20 cm directly across the face
of the beach (sideways, not up or down) and always to the north which was
against the direction of the littoral drift.
I would see one every few waves and occasionally I would see a few
moving at a time, perhaps 50 in 5 minutes. It took ages to catch
one to see what it was as I would only just see then dive into the sand before
the next wave raced in and over them.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wZFd5-IP-eo7U46Oiu_G34OuRqxukp6yu_knGxr2BszofOLY9tOPyMERe66TiN15kNfHOwBL3NGA8CH5EVfhh80k5BRl44Qog1b5CNJOIU0F2H2RdbAzb8HanJM9gZsL3CT_e6l3QV4J/s1600/Albunea-juvenile-dorsal-surface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wZFd5-IP-eo7U46Oiu_G34OuRqxukp6yu_knGxr2BszofOLY9tOPyMERe66TiN15kNfHOwBL3NGA8CH5EVfhh80k5BRl44Qog1b5CNJOIU0F2H2RdbAzb8HanJM9gZsL3CT_e6l3QV4J/s320/Albunea-juvenile-dorsal-surface.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile mole crab ~5 mm long, probably <i><a href="http://lifg.australianmuseum.net.au/HotShot.html?resourceId=e7wG0xuN&hierarchyId=PVWrQCLG" target="_blank">Hippa pacifica</a> </i>(click image to enlarge)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rEnu8rrHafLlLjVEDIV-2-gK8lBsi7bUXbicWzFae5Bz87KZjy2Fn81wTh2WRWwvstPUStXyXigN24sPy0ukNJqh-aDUBi7Oss3ea6xyT7Skw71sFrFvPUwRP7I-RxEyRxWrMXng-e55/s1600/Albunea-juveile-ventral-surface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rEnu8rrHafLlLjVEDIV-2-gK8lBsi7bUXbicWzFae5Bz87KZjy2Fn81wTh2WRWwvstPUStXyXigN24sPy0ukNJqh-aDUBi7Oss3ea6xyT7Skw71sFrFvPUwRP7I-RxEyRxWrMXng-e55/s320/Albunea-juveile-ventral-surface.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ventral surface of same crab showing spear shaped tail tucked between claw-like legs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Mole crabs filter feed with their antennae so are very strange crabs. Not much is known about them.<br />
<br />
I was seeing the
baby mole crabs near the peak of a king tide,
both in the morning at about 7-8:30 am and again about 5:30 pm. I have not looked at other times. This is perhaps only the second time I have
seen them in 30 years of scanning the beach for interesting things. The weather was almost still in the morning and a 10 knot breeze produced a small chop that was crashing on the beach in the evening. Only one factor was unusual, the beach had a small erosion scarp that was being attacked by the waves and creatures of the swash zone may have been trying not to be buried by the sand washing down from the scarp.<br />
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These observations help to fill in part of the life cycle of
this most elusive animal and if anyone can add to these observations, feel free
to comment. I am not sure of the
species but <i>Albunea symmysta</i> is the only mole crab I know to be present in
the local environment and <a href="http://lifg.australianmuseum.net.au/HotShot.html?resourceId=e7wG0xuN&hierarchyId=PVWrQCLG" target="_blank"><i>Hippa pacifica</i> occurs on Lizard Island to the north</a>. Mole crabs are also in Indonesia and in India, however most of the information from these countries is on how to catch them or cook them. The crab in the photos was released alive. A video taken in California of a different species provides an idea of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYYY2HnuhnA" target="_blank">what juvenile mole crabs are like</a> in the field.<o:p></o:p></div>
Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com0Holloways Beach QLD 4878, Australia-16.844055588621718 145.74400144970707-16.859253088621717 145.72383144970706 -16.828858088621718 145.76417144970708tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131544415918574107.post-57284269819904907532016-10-30T05:16:00.001-07:002017-05-09T16:29:35.828-07:00Pilot fish and Longtoms<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.thedodo.com/how-one-genius-little-fish-con-672797576.html" target="_blank">Pilot fish</a> famously follow sharks around, however it seems
that this relationship is repeated on a smaller scale. I observed a longtom (also known as a needlefish) about 40 cm long hunting in the surface waters beside the Cairns waterfront
boardwalk. Then I saw that the longtom
was not alone, it had a group of tiny fish following its every move. Longtom are predators on other fish so
following a longtom would seem to be risky for a little fish. Additionally the longtom would zip a few
metres forward to chase prey which I did not see and must have left the little
fish behind. Moments later, the little
fish would be escorting the longtom again.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YXcsfF9rfL4QLZzLkeaVaxd0eeVDe2dMhoWFwsyf9E-KFl447y-bbyPZwHsVA52dUNLxWK9Z832U-pumRtvyQaktVK-w8MLuCMr9_wDk5ocn-8M_G-nQMrcNV5RYRiF14_TrGNh-2zko/s1600/Longtom-pilot-fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YXcsfF9rfL4QLZzLkeaVaxd0eeVDe2dMhoWFwsyf9E-KFl447y-bbyPZwHsVA52dUNLxWK9Z832U-pumRtvyQaktVK-w8MLuCMr9_wDk5ocn-8M_G-nQMrcNV5RYRiF14_TrGNh-2zko/s320/Longtom-pilot-fish.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up of the fish escorting the longtom (click to enlarge)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The longtom appears to belong to the genus <i>Tylosurus </i>and I
am not sure what the smaller fish are, possibly something in the tuna/trevally
family. Larger longtom occasionally spear
people including sea kayakers as the sprint across the surface bouncing every
six metres or so. They tailwalk to pick up speed and will travel 20 m with only the tip of their tail in the water, the rest of their body in the air and leaning forwards at quite an angle. <a href="http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2011/01/28/fish-no-stomach-baffles-scientists" target="_blank">Longtoms </a>also
apparently lack stomachs, something which I just found out. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOvNLnHiVcGe6__MbUZCkjvjqN9iVxpv7u7qlI2mAWL4ntKJYzO7Bru3f3Dao6HltWUiLwElxm4x1-miiakDlRoi_MyG8W_SgD-GIZYjaKbVAkwoy__Q4wv7oSsJVQI2xLKvepFv7mRhI/s1600/Tylosurus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOvNLnHiVcGe6__MbUZCkjvjqN9iVxpv7u7qlI2mAWL4ntKJYzO7Bru3f3Dao6HltWUiLwElxm4x1-miiakDlRoi_MyG8W_SgD-GIZYjaKbVAkwoy__Q4wv7oSsJVQI2xLKvepFv7mRhI/s320/Tylosurus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Longtom have a long beak filled with sharp teeth for catching little fish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<o:p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPW9z8xoQhkS5_PZ2oaXRe7lJS7uQXHs_R3tJ3QIESYABScrsYR4_mdYXwKguKSYq5WMVlEIF0UYImV46-Zjj4kxtuc6nxLbGC5zojUsKTqluebTGM1IFfh3xbOpVZ8tOS7IUMFd-SQx7A/s1600/Fish-on-Longtom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPW9z8xoQhkS5_PZ2oaXRe7lJS7uQXHs_R3tJ3QIESYABScrsYR4_mdYXwKguKSYq5WMVlEIF0UYImV46-Zjj4kxtuc6nxLbGC5zojUsKTqluebTGM1IFfh3xbOpVZ8tOS7IUMFd-SQx7A/s320/Fish-on-Longtom.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little fish would even swim on top of the longtom's head!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
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<br />Queensland Coasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15580365317662289224noreply@blogger.com0Cairns QLD, Australia-16.9185514 145.77805480000006-17.404769899999998 145.13260780000007 -16.4323329 146.42350180000005