Photo gallery

St Brandon 2019

As throughout the Indian Ocean, also the remote atoll of St Brandon (Cargados Carajos) was found to be severely affected by coral bleaching. We estimate that 70% of the coral reef died during the time since our last visit in 2015. There is no report on the condition of the reefs of St Brandon, which used to be the only area of the Mauritius outlying territory that still had a fairly intact coral fauna. The reefs of Mauritius itself have been destroyed completely (estimates range from 95 to 99%) due to repeated heat waves.

The result to 6 days of collecting. Most shells were collected empty on the beaches and among dead corals.

Chicoreus janae, the third moderately complete specimen, found on the beach in the north of the atoll.

Conus caillaudi (39 mm) found on the beach.

Morum lorenzi. Fourth ever live collected specimen.

St Brandon 2019 photograph

St Brandon 2019 photograph

St Brandon 2019 photograph

Taranteconus lecourtorum, red form. Less than a dozen specimens have been found alive, while it is the most abundant species of Conidae on the beaches.

St Brandon 2019 photograph

Taranteconus lecourtorum, white form. First ever live collected specimen.

Dolicholatirus new species

Dolicholatirus new species

Pioconus timorensis, second photo of a living animal

Turbo lorenzi, first photos of the living animal

Turbo lorenzi, first photos of the living animal

Turbo lorenzi, first photos of the living animal

Trivia sp., living animal

Trivia sp., living animal

Trivia sp., living animal

Bistolida cf nanostraca, a variation that is currently under study

Closia majuscula, encountered alive for the second time

Closia majuscula, encountered alive for the second time

Sorting shellgrit in search of micro-molluscs

The MV Omar IV