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Ningaloo Reef - Wildlife
Whale Sharks
The whale shark is the largest living shark. It is one of the three filter-feeding species of shark, with a broad, flattened head and minute teeth. It also has a distinctive patterning of light spots and stripes over a dark background, fading to a light colour on the underside. This natural camouflage allows it to ‘blend’ into its surroundings when viewed from any angle. The ecotourism industry revolving around the whale sharks at Ningaloo Marine Park was fully established by 1993. It has burgeoned to become a huge economic boon to the economy of the region. Research was initiated to determine the impacts of ecotourism activities in the whale shark resource at NMP. (see more ...)
Cetaceans
Within Ningaloo Marine Park six species of toothed whales, eight species of baleen whales and two species of dolphins have been sighted. Humpback whales migrate twice annually through the reef waters, other frequenters of the Ningaloo area include the minke, southern right and blue whales. These mammals, threatened by overexploitation and destruction of their Indo-Pacific habitat find a safe and healthy marine habitat at Ningaloo. (see more...)
Turtles
Of the seven marine turtle species in the world, six are found in Australian waters and four of these are found in the Ningaloo marine tract area. These are the Flatback, Green, Loggerhead and Hawksbill turtles, all classified as vulnerable or endangered under the IUCN and the EPBCA Act (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999). Some of these threatened turtle species are known to be residents of this coastline all year round, they regularly nest on beaches in Bateman Bay. These vulnerable creatures will be strongly effected by a marina development right on their nesting ground. (see more...)
Dugong
Northern Australia has the last significant Dugong population in the world. The delicate seagrass ecosystems along the coastline are vital refuge areas for Dugongs to feed and mate. This includes the area of Batemans Bay near Maud's landing. According to 1989/1994 surveys, the Ningaloo Marine Park had a population of 1000 dugongs, distributed across the whole Ningaloo reef tract. (Preen, Marsh, Lawler, Prince, Shepherd 1997). (see more...)
Manta Rays
Manta Rays occur widely in front of proposal. Aggregations of up to 100 animals are reported. Anecdotal evidence (there is little scientific research on mantas at Ningaloo yet) point to Maud's landing as having the most consistent manta interactions on the Ninagloo coast in shallow water inside the reef . This is unique to Point Maud as mantas are usually found on the ocean side of the reef. A witnessed mating sequence suggests that it could be a mating ground. They are totally protected under the Fisheries Resource Management Act. (see more...)
Fish
The fish species in the Ningaloo reef area are incredibly varied
and abundant, with about 500 species, this is because of the undisturbed,
isolated state of Ningaloo.
As the area is also a unique biogeographical overlap zone, the fish species are
diverse, including warm-temperate, sub-tropical and tropical species. Indeed,
some of the fish species found at Ningaloo are not found anywhere else in the
world.
There are four fish species that have been recognised and are totally protected under the Fisheries Resource Management Act.
Coral
The Coral Coast Resort ironically, is most likely to increase
the gradual destruction of the coral communities in the Ningaloo area. This is
because the reef is a fringing reef. We've seen the gradual death to coral life
on the Great Barrier reef, well, Ningaloo reef is even closer and more
accessible and thus far more vulnerable to human impacts. Despite the best
intentions, corals will be affected by boating activities and mooring, and
trampled by people reef walking.
The corals from Ningaloo reef actually act as a vital source of coral larvae
dispersing through the Abrolhos Islands and even to Rottnest Island. If the
resort went ahead the negative long-term impacts would certainly be
far-reaching.
Seagrasses
There are three main seagrass species found around the coast at Ningaloo, these are from the Posidonia, Amphibolis and Halophila genuses. These provide important nursery grounds and 'hide-outs' for fish and other marine creatures, and are also a vital food source for Dugongs. Seagrass is vulnerable to changes in the water quality, such as increased turbidity and nutrient enrichment, and to damage from boat anchorage thus the seagrass beds are at risk of depletion. Particularly, because the beds are located in patches around Bateman bay, rather than large beds, their rate of recovery would be decreased. (see more...)
Flora
Flora and Vegetation The flora of the Cape Range Peninsula is incredibly diverse with over 630 plant species recorded. It is much more diverse than similar arid and semi-arid areas in Western Australia and is known to have twice as many species as other similar areas within the same biogeographic region. Many species in the Cape Province are at the end of their geographic range and are hence considered extremely important from an ecological perspective. The peninsula is also a region of biogeographic overlap and therefore has a diversity of species from temperate, arid and tropical botanical provinces. (see more ...)
Molluscs
Over 600 species of mollusc have been reported in the area.
http://www.save-ningaloo.org/frames/page1.html
The Whale Shark is the largest of all fishes and is found in tropical and warm temperate waters. It is a slow moving shark that feeds on small crustaceans, squid and fishes from the water using filtering screens on its gills.
It can be easily recognised by size and colour pattern. The back and sides are blue to blackish with white stripes and blotches. The ventral surface is whitish.
The species has prominent ridges on the sides of the body with the lowermost ridge expanding into a keel on the caudal peduncle.
It may grow up to 18 m in length, but fish of 4 m to 12 m in length are more commonly seen.
In Australia it is known primarily from northern Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. It is also recorded from scattered localities in New South Wales, Victoria and the western Great Australian Bight.
Biomaps map of Whale Shark specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
The Whale Shark is a pelagic species that occurs in continental shelf and offshore waters in both tropical and warm temperate waters of all oceans.
There are about 300 tiny, hooked teeth in both jaws. Whale Sharks feed by filtering small crustaceans, squid and fishes from the water using filtering screens on the gills. The species usually feeds by swimming with the huge mouth open, however it can also feed by hanging vertically in the water and opening its mouth to allow water to rush in.
Whale Sharks follow migratory patterns that may be related to the presence of their prey.
Despite its huge size, the Whale Shark is not a threat to people.
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Whale-Shark-Rhincodon-typus-Smith-1828
The Manta Ray is the largest species of ray in the world. Disc widths have been reliably measured up to 6.7 m, but this species possibly grows up to 9.1 m disc width. The species has one dorsal fin and a whip-like tail which lacks a sting. Manta Rays have a very broad mouth, on either side of which are prominent fleshy extensions called cephalic lobes.
The Manta Ray is the largest species of ray in the world. The disc of the Manta Ray is wider than it is long.
The species has one dorsal fin and a whip-like tail which lacks a sting. The surface of the body is rough to touch. They have a very broad mouth, on either side of which are prominent fleshy extensions called cephalic lobes.
Manta Rays are grey-blue to green-brown above. The "shoulder region" of the disc may also have pale grey markings. The underside of the disc is white, often with grey margins.
Disc widths have been reliably measured up to 6.7 m, but this species possibly grows up to 9.1 m disc width. Individuals of 4 m disc width are relatively common.
The Manta Ray lives in tropical, marine waters worldwide, but is also found occasionally in temperate seas.
In Australia it is recorded from south-western Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south to the southern coast of New South Wales.
Biomaps map of Manta Ray specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Divers sometimes see Manta Rays swimming gracefully through the water feeding on plankton. The planktonic organisms are filtered from the water by the gills.
Despite most individuals being seen swimming slowly, the Manta Ray is capable of swimming at rapid speed. They are sometimes observed leaping out of the water and landing back on the surface with a loud slap.
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Manta-Ray-Manta-birostris-Donndorff-1798/
Turtles
Three of the world’s seven marine turtle species, nest on mainland beaches and islands of Ningaloo Reef during the summer months from November to March.
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Green Turtle (Chelonia Mydas) Conservation Status
Distribution and Habitat
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Breeding & Nesting
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© John Easley |
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Hatchlings
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Diet
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Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta Caretta) |
Conservation Status
Distribution and Habitat
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© John Easley |
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Hatchlings
Characteristics
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Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys Imbricata) |
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Conservation Status
Distribution and Habitat
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Breeding
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© Allan D. Vandeford |
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Nesting
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http://www.ningalooturtles.org.au/
Snakes
Description
The Olive Sea Snake is a dangerous venomous snake from the coral reefs of
northern Australia. It has a sturdy body and is purplish brown above with paler
brown on underside. Usually has some creamy white scales scattered over body.
The tail is vertically compressed and mostly creamy white with a brown ridge
down the back.
Size
average size is 1.2m, but can grow to 2m
Habitat
reefs, lagoons, coral, rocky shores
Food
fish, fish eggs, prawns, crabs
Breeding
gives birth to 2-5 live young
Range
The Olive Sea Snake is abundant in coastal waters off the northern half of
Australia from Brisbane in east to Shark Bay in west.
Notes
Although it can be aggressive, attacks are rare.
Classification
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Class: |
Reptilia |
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Order: |
Squamata (Serpentes) |
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Family: |
Hydrophiidae |
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Genus: |
Aipysurus |
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Species: |
laevis |
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Common Name: |
Olive Sea Snake |
http://www.ozanimals.com/Reptile/Olive-Sea-Snake/Aipysurus/laevis.html
The Dugong is a large, grey brown bulbous animal with a flattened fluked tail, like that of a whale, no dorsal fin, paddle like flippers and distinctive head shape.
The Dugong is a large, grey brown bulbous animal with a flattened fluked tail, like that of a whale, no dorsal fin, paddle like flippers and distinctive head shape. The broad flat muzzle and mouth are angled down to enable ease of grazing along the seabed. Eyes and ears are small reflecting the animal's lack of reliance on these senses.
3 m
The Dugong is found over a broad range of the coastal and inland waters of the western Indo-Pacific region. In Australia, they occur in an arc from Moreton Bay in southern Queensland across northern Australia to Shark Bay in northern Western Australia.
Dugongs prefer wide shallow bays and areas protected by large inshore islands. Vagrant animals will occasionally appear as far south as southern New South Wales and near Perth in Western Australia.
Dugongs are herbivores, feeding exclusively on seagrasses, cropping the leaves and roots by using their broad muzzle to move the food into the mouth. Dugongs tend to occur in groups or herds and their movement over an area can be followed by the sand plume disturbances to the sea floor.
Like their relatives, the manatees of the Americas, female Dugongs in season attract the attention of a number of males, one or two of which will eventually mate with her. One young is born after a gestation period of 12-14 months and will continue to suckle from the mother for about 18 months. They may remain with the female for a number of years, as she will not calve again for periods of between 2.5 to 7 years. This low reproductive rate has implications for their conservation worldwide and leaves them vulnerable to dramatic declines due to the impact of human activities.
Dugongs are considered relatively abundant in Australian waters where they are legally protected by all States and the Commonwealth. Their populations are not so secure in other parts of the world and they are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Dugong
Dolphins
http://www.marineparks.wa.gov.au/fun-facts/bottlenose-dolphin.html
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Striped-Dolphin
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Common-Dolphin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinner_Dolphin
Sharks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawny_nurse_shark
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Blacktip-Reef-Shark-Carcharhinus-melanopterus-Quoy-Gaimard-1824
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Whitetip-Reef-Shark-Triaenodon-obesus-R%C3%BCppell-1837/
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Banded-Wobbegong-Orectolobus-ornatus-De-Vis-1883/
Potato Cod
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Potato-Rockcod-Epinephelus-tukula-Morgans-1959
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/28_9037.htm
Stonefish
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Reef-Stonefish-Synanceia-verrucosa-Bloch-Schneider-1801
Nudibranch
http://www.marineparks.wa.gov.au/fun-facts/nudibranches-sea-slugs.html
Giant Trevally
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Giant-Trevally-Caranx-ignobilis-Forsskal-1775
Posted
Marine scientists say new discoveries at Ningaloo Reef prove further monitoring is needed to protect biodiversity along the Western Australian coast.
Researchers have discovered about 100 new species at Ningaloo, including sea stars and sea urchins.
The research, which was revealed during a conference at the Western Australia Museum this week, is being led by the Australian Institute of Marine Science.
Chairman Peter Rogers says the research also looked at ways to address threats to biodiversity.
"There's one thing happening in Western Australia and that's population growth," he said.
"Places like the Kimberley and places like Ningaloo are places to go, but you [have] really got to understand the relationships between human pressures and the environment, to actually maximise the value for the long term."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/26/2754374.htm
Blue Ringed Octopus
http://www.marineparks.wa.gov.au/fun-facts/blue-ringed-octopus.html
Banded Coral Shrimp
http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/dampier/explore_crustacean_bandedshrimp.asp
Western Rock Lobster
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panulirus_cygnus
Painted Rock Lobster
http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/DAMPIER/explore_crustacean_paintedrocklobster.asp
Mantis Shrimp
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Mantis-Shrimp
Bryozoans
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Lace-corals-and-sea-mats-Bryozoa
Ascidians
http://www.mesa.edu.au/friends/seashores/ascidians.html
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Ascidians-Urochordata
