Photos / Sounds
What
Southern Field Cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
A female found on the bungalow's wooden walls. All around is vegetated with natural low bushes and small cultivated patches.
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What
Honeycomb Worm (Sabellaria alveolata)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
It is sadly quite rare to have intact Sabellaria reefs close to shores used by fishermen and anglers. This construction is perfect - look at the fine details in the close up!
Photo and obs by our dear friend Jo Chatterton.
Photos / Sounds
What
Butterfly Rays (Genus Gymnura)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
Although the White Dune is spectacular when surrounded by water at high tide, the best moment for a good beach combing session is when ebb tide has started. This reveals fresh tracks and marks, including some amazing ray marks like the one here. Disc width ca. 30 cm.
Photos / Sounds
What
Sea Stars (Class Asteroidea)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
Yep, we could have picked it up, cleaned and gracely put back on sand for a nice (and surely more informative!) photo but we decided to let it stay undisturbed. We don't see many sea stars on beaches and tidal flats, tho, so it's good to report anyway.
Apporx diameter 2-3 cm.
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What
Desert Orange Tip (Colotis liagore)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
The position doesn't help so our tentative ID also based on reports by birders and mammals watchers in the same area.
Photos / Sounds
What
Sooty Seahare (Aplysia fasciata)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
Leaning towards A. fasciata based on Moro et al 2017 (Moro et al 2017. Nota sobre tres babosas (Nuddibranchia y Sacoglossa) colectadas en la costas atlántica de Àfrica (Cabo Espartel, Agadir y Dakhla), con un listado de especies acompanantes. Vieraea 45: 205-2014).
We know Aplysia can be observed on the Atlantic side of the Dakhla peninsula, but never saw this amount! The cliff has recently collapsed, creating new ponds and possibly new habitat. Reproduction is known to occur in late summer-early fall, when many individuals move in shallow waters to breed. So, this is probably why.
Observation and pics by our good friend Jo Chatterton (she should set up her own iNat profile, one day ;-))
(feet for size comparison, last pic is overview of habitat)
Photos / Sounds
What
Jelly Blubber (Catostylus tagi)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
We would lean towards R. pulmo, but given the conditions of this washashore it is safer to remain at the genus level (expert advice always welcome, tho!!!)
Photos / Sounds
Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
One of the really many Acacia trees in the desert of Dakhla!
This pic was taken by Severine, who spent the day with us and her family.
Photos / Sounds
What
Marbled Crab (Pachygrapsus marmoratus)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
A small crab from our friend Jo Chatterton, found beachcombing in the morning at low tide.
Picture (which is just beautiful!!) doesn't show the crab's body shape, but based on the shape of claws, and after cheching for the species' distribution, this looks like a good guess. Better ID are welcome!!
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What
Salt Tree (Nitraria retusa)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
This is a large bush right on the shore facing the White Dune. A beautiful and wind-shielded spot to enjoy the birds that visit the Ramsar site.
Photos / Sounds
Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
Many bushes around this area, and lots of bumble bees. Flowers are small and dark pink.
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What
Launaea arborescensObserver
dakhlaroversDescription
Many bushes like this, with dozens of bumble bees flying around.
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What
Marginella glabellaObserver
dakhlaroversDescription
One of the most beautiful shells one can find on the western shore of the Dakhla bay. This, with its entire mini-universe of associated critters, was found again by our friend Jo Chatterton.
Kudos for the ID go to @finrod as we took from his obs here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/38628905
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What
Red Thumb (Cynomorium coccineum)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
Scroll through pics for scale!
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What
Pancratium trianthumObserver
dakhlaroversDescription
A solitary flower next to a hard-ground piste.
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What
Compass Jelly (Chrysaora hysoscella)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
Found at low tide while beachco,bing at the White Dune. Not a common find, tho, at least there.
Photos / Sounds
What
Heliophora orbiculusObserver
dakhlaroversDescription
Dead Heliophora orbiculus tests can be easily found at some specific sites around the White Dune. However, living individuals are very difficult to spot.
Our friend "George" took these two pictures at low tide, and we're happy to share them on his behalf!
Photos / Sounds
What
Atlantic Ditch Shrimp (Palaemon varians)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
This tiny marine shrimp is one of the marine/brackish species present in the enclave of Imlili - a sebkha in the desert of Dakhla.
Definitely not easy to spot, even more difficult as a photo subject!!
Photos / Sounds
What
Termite Inkcaps (Genus Podaxis)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
Does anyone have an idea about the species of this fungus? We've never seen any before!
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What
West African Fiddler Crab (Afruca tangeri)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
It was great observing them swarm all over the tidal zone!
Time ca. 1:30
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What
Fat-tailed Gerbil (Pachyuromys duprasi)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
Courtesy of some spotlighting on foot around our camp! (time around 10:30 pm).
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What
Garden Orbweavers (Genus Argiope)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
On its way to spin its web, we spotted this spider while walking through the plants in the artificial oasis.
We think it is A. lobata but comments and better IDs are welcome! In this, we're taking advantage of your expertise (also thanks for the A. sector obs, it helped a lot! http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/7490658)
@finrod
@sambiology
@andreapnor
Time: ca 10:30 am
Special thanks to Franck Chevalier for letting us in.
Photos / Sounds
What
West African Fiddler Crab (Afruca tangeri)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
This is the iconic fiddler crab of the Dakhla bay, here spotted in the sea foam of the intertidal (Ramsar zone).
Photos / Sounds
What
Silent Slant-faced Grasshoppers (Subfamily Acridinae)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
Someone in the group had really good eyes! In doubt with A. ungarica mediterranea, so advice always welcome.
Time: ca. 11:00
Photos / Sounds
What
Fat-tailed Gerbil (Pachyuromys duprasi)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
Our first close-up observation for this species! Spotted when spotlighting off-road, on the pist to Deraman. See likely parasites on right ear.
Time: ca. 23.00
Photos / Sounds
What
Lesser Egyptian Jerboa (Jaculus jaculus)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
The first time we could get so close (see sand grains in the ears?)!! It was crossing the road but lent itself to a real photoshooting session.
Time: ca. 23:30
Photos / Sounds
What
Desert Horned Viper (Cerastes cerastes)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
One of the several Horned Vipers spotted that night (interestingly, this time no Ceraster vipera at all). It was crossing the road, then into side grass.
Time: ca. 22:30
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What
Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
Ok, maybe labelling these as "animal" is a giant leap - in facts, they are almost certainly empty egg-cases. We think they harbored spiders but it's just an idea, nothing to substantiate it in facts.
Help?
Thank you!!
Photos / Sounds
Observer
dakhlaroversDescription
A tiny beetle (ca 1 cm long), shining green. It was spotted next to one of the Imlili pools, on salted sand. Suggested ID: Cincindela sp.
Time ca. 21.30, T ca 26°C
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What
Anthia sexmaculataObserver
dakhlaroversDescription
A frequent encounter during our explorations, this time spotted in low vegetation.
Anyone daring to suggest a species?
Time ca. 21.30, T ca 26°C
