Regional Fauna - Western Port Seagrass Partnership

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Western Port fauna

The following are but a few examples of some of the many wonderful animals to be found in Western Port’s marine, coastal and catchment environments. In each case we have provided the common and scientific names, the source of the photographs and useful links that provide further information on the species.

Over time and with the help of the Community we hope to build the scope and size of this collection and make it a valuable record of the region’s biodiversity.

Most photographs in the collection have been taken within the Western Port region and it is the policy of the WPSP to seek and present photographic records of species observed in the region rather than generic stock.

Marine & Coastal Fauna

Anthropoda

Type: Crustaceans / Malacostraca / Shrimp
Common Name: Ghost Shrimp
Scientific Name: Trypaea australiensis
Source: Mudflats Lang Lang - T. Ealey WPSP

These shrimp live in mud flat burrows which they clear as the tide comes in, causes considerable bio-turbulance and local turbidity changes.

More on Ghost Shrimp

Type: Crustaceans / Malacostraca / Crabs
Common Name: Soldier Crab
Scientific Name: Mictyris platycheles
Source: Phillip Island – J. Clarke WPSP

More on Soldier Crab

Echinodermata

Type: Asteroidea / Star fish
Common Name: Southern Buistuit Star
Scientific Name: Tosia austalis
Source: Flinders WP, Marine Ecology

More on Southern Buistuit Star

Mollusca

Type: Cephalopoda / Octopus / Squid / Cuttlefish
Common Name: Sand Octopus
Scientific Name: Octopus kaurna
Source: Western Port, David Bryant

More on Sand Octopus

Chordata

Type: Osteichthyes / Cheilodactylidae/ Morwongs
Common Name: Dusky Morwong
Scientific Name: Dactylophora nigricans
Source: Western Port, David Bryant

More on Dusky Morwong

Type: Osteichthyes / Kyphosidae
Common Name: Zebra Fish
Scientific Name: Girella zebra
Source: Western Port, David Bryant

Avian Fauna

Birds

Type: Accipitridae (Ospreys, Kites, Eagles)
Common Name: White Bellied Sea Eagle
Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucogaster
Source: Phillip Island J. Clarke WPSP

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Type: Accipitridae (Ospreys, Kites, Eagles)
Common Name: Swamp Harrier
Scientific Name: Circus approximans
Source: Phillip Island J. Clarke WPSP

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Type: Accipitridae (Ospreys, Kites, Eagles)
Common Name: Wedgetail Eagle
Scientific Name: Aquila audax
Source: Bass Valley, P.Westwood Friends of Bass Valley Bush Inc .

TERRESTRIAL / CATCHMENT FAUNA

Annelida

Type: Annelida (Worms)
Common Name: Giant Gippsland Earthworm
Scientific Name: Megascolides australis
Source: Bass Valley, B. Van Praagh Invert Eco

Only found in the Bass River Catchment, these 2 metre earthworms are fragile and even gentle handling causes bruising and death.

More on Giant Gippsland Earthworm

Mammalia

Type: Monotremes
Common Name: Echidna
Scientific Name: Tachyglossus aculeatus
Source: Phillip Island, J.Clarke WPSP

More on Echidna

Type: Marsupials
Common Name: Koala
Scientific Name: Phascolarctos cinereus
Source: Phillip Island, J. Clarke WPSP

More on Koala

Type: Marsupials / Kangaroos & Wallabies
Common Name: Swamp Wallaby
Scientific Name: Wallabia bicolor
Source: Phillip Island, J.Clarke WPSP

More on Swamp Wallaby

Type: Marsupials / Wombats
Common Name: Baby Common Wombat (rescued)
Scientific Name: Vombatus ursinus
Source: Bass Valley, P.Westwood Friends of Bass Valley Bush Inc .

More on Baby Common Wombat

Type: Marsupials / Possums
Common Name: Bobuck (Mountain Brush Tail Possum)
Scientific Name: Trichosurus caninus
Source: Bass Valley, P.Westwood Friends of Bass Valley Bush Inc.

NB: This is a very rare sighting, the first confirmed sighting in area for 20 years.

More on Bobuck

Reptilia

Type: Reptiles
Common Name: Monitor Lizard
Scientific Name: Varanus varius
Source: Bass Valley, P.Westwood Friends of Bass Valley Bush Inc .

More on Monitor Lizard

Fauna Categories and Identification Resources

To assist with the identification of animal species found in the Western Port region we have provided some typical categories (classes) of animals and the families of animals found within these categories. Where possible we have provided both the scientific names and the common names to make it easier for your to narrow down your identification choices.

In addition to this we have provided an extract of the key regional species listed in the Biosphere application which should provide good guidance to the species likely to be found in the region.

Fauna Species List

We have also provided some links to a number of web sites that provide helpful guides and indexes of animal species, many of which contain species names, descriptions and photographs. These should prove helpful in identifying the species you have discovered and photographed in the region.

Finally we have provided a few hints on how to go about identifying species in the field and checking on your determinations.

Fauna Categories and Identification Resources

Once you have photographed and identified what you believe the species to be, you are ready to submit it to us for inclusion on this web site.

Contribute a species

Leafy Seadragon footage courtesy Dr Julian Finn - Museum Victoria

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Western Port Seagrass Partnership would like to thank ESSO Australia Pty Ltd for its sponsorship of Western Port Cherished and Challenged DVD.