Marine Life Society of South Australia Inc.

Newsletter

February 2007   No. 340

“understanding, enjoying & caring for our oceans”

 

Next Meeting

 

This will be the February Meeting and it will be held as usual at the Conservation Centre on the 21st February commencing at 7.30pm. Our guest speaker is member Robert Browne who will be telling us about the Aquariums he has visited all over the world.

                                                                             

CONTENTS

Pipefish Part 2(Kevin Smith)

TIPARRA, TIPPARA, TIPARA OR TIPPARRA? (Steve Reynolds)

Flora & Fauna Of Piccaninnie Ponds And Ewens Ponds (Including Eight Mile Creek)  (Steve Reynolds)

New Wasp Species Named After Flinders And Baudin  (Steve Reynolds)

Captain Thomas Swiggs  (Steve Reynolds)

 

EDITORIAL

The 2008 Calendar is in production with good pictures received from various people.

 

The 2007 calendar (voted the best ever by many recipients) has more than broken even. If you are holding money for any sales you may have made then please bring it along to the February meeting. The Treasurer wants to get his books balanced. We will also be very glad to see you there.

 

I send this Newsletter out as a PDF file in full colour (less the adverts etc.). If you would like me to send it to you in this format as well as/instead of the hard copy (this does save postage and printing costs) then please email me and I will add your name to the list.

 

 

 

Kevin Smith gave an excellent talk on the various species of Pipefish found in South Australian waters at our General Meeting in October 2006. Several members missed the talk so Kevin has agreed to let me publish the slides from the talk in a few of our Newsletters.

Of course the additional comments and explanations, questions and video footage cannot be included. However, I hope this will give you some idea as to the identification of the various Pipefish.

This is the second part of his talk. The third and final part will be published next month.

Editor

 

Pipefish

-a presentation to the Marine Life Society of South Australia
18th of October, 2006.

by Kevin Smith

Part 2

 

Knife-snout Pipefish
Hypselognathus rostratus

 

 

-very little known

-can be found in very shallow water over sand or seagrass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sawtooth Pipefish
Maroubra perserrata

 

•         Distinctive blue tail.

•         Lives in holes and caves on reef.

 

 

 

 

Ring-backed Pipefish
Stipecampus cristatus

 

•         Found in seagrass

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smooth Pipefish
Lissocampus caudalis

 

•         very small – 10cm

•         looks like a piece of seagrass rhizome

•         found in shallow pools and Zostera beds

 

 

 

 

Stigmatopora

 

•         Stigmatopora have no caudal fin and maintain their position in surge by wrapping their tails around fixed objects such as large algae and seagrass.

•         Body ridges can be very hard to see.

•         Length and distinctive coloured markings can guide identification but the position of the dorsal fin separates S.argus from S. nigra.

 

Spotted Pipefish
Stigmatopora argus

 

•         Up to 25cm

•         abundant

•         mainly green with small black spots on back

•         Females are wider and flatter

•         no caudal fin

•         grips seagrass with tail

•         vertical posture in seagrass beds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wide-bodied Pipefish
Stigmatopora nigra

 

•         16cm

•         no caudal fin

•         grips weed and algae with tail

•         barred underneath, female can be very flat and display red bars on the ventral surface to males

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIPARRA, TIPPARA, TIPARA OR TIPPARRA?

by Steve Reynolds

 

In my article titled “The Old Cape Willoughby Light At Kingscote” (MLSSA Newsletter, November 2006) I said that “About 1902, the light from the Tiparra Reef (off of Port Hughes & Moonta Bay) in Spencer Gulf was installed in the lighthouse (Cape Willoughby Lighthouse on Kangaroo Island), replacing the original reflector lantern”.  Another article titled “The story of “The Old Cape Willoughby Light”, one of the references quoted at the end of my article, spelled the reef as Tippara Reef. I recall asking Phyllis Bartram on KI to point out to Hope Cottage, the National Trust Museum at Kingscote that ‘Tiparra’ was spelled with one ‘p’ and two ‘r’s. After all, that was the spelling used on several of my reference maps and also in the book “South Australia – What’s in a Name?” by Rodney Cockburn.  This, however, came back to haunt me when I visited the Wallaroo Heritage and Nautical Museum recently.

The old lighthouse from the reef is now positioned next to the museum. The interpretive signage there uses the spelling “Tipara” (one ‘p’ and one ‘r’). Whilst wandering through the many nautical displays inside the museum, I discovered (at least) each of the three above spellings being used. There may, in fact, have been four different spellings used – Tiparra, Tippara, Tipara and Tipparra! When I queried this matter with volunteers at the museum I was informed that the matter had been thoroughly researched and it had been determined that ‘Tipara’ was the correct spelling. That’s just one ‘p’ and one ‘r’, the same as in ‘Taperoo’, which is said to be an Aboriginal word meaning ‘calm’. According to Geoffrey Manning’s book “Manning’s Place Names of South Australia: From Aaron Creek to Zion Hill”, however, Taperoo is possibly from ‘tapurro’, (the Aboriginal word?) meaning opossum skin’. (‘Tappa’, however, is said to be an Aboriginal word meaning ‘a path’.)

But I digress. As to which spelling (Tiparra, Tippara, Tipara or Tipparra) is correct, Geoffrey Manning uses the term ‘the weight of evidence’ in such matters. According to Geoffrey Manning at http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/manning/pn/t/t4.htm#tiparra : - “The Hundred of Tiparra School opened in 1884 and closed in 1908; Tiparra East School opened in 1885 and became "Sunny Vale" in 1887; Tiparra West School operated from 1920 until 1938. Another source says that the school opened as "Hundred of Tiparra" in 1884; name changed in 1891 to Winulta and closed in 1950.” The Tiparra Light, the lighthouse on the Tiparra Reef in Tiparra Bay, in Spencer Gulf (off of Port Hughes & Moonta Bay) had been built in 1877.

According to the book “South Australia – What’s in a Name?” by Rodney Cockburn, ‘Tiparra’ “is a word bestowed by the Aborigines upon some remarkable springs about twelve miles south of Moonta”. My RAA regional map for Yorke Peninsula (dated 1990) features Tiparra Bay (between Cape Elizabeth and Warburto Point), Tiparra Rocks Camping Reserve (just north of Balgowan) and Tiparra (midway along the road between Kainton Corner and Arthurton). Tiparra Sanctuary is situated on Cape Elizabeth, just south of Moonta. The sanctuary adjoins 1000 hectares of coastal dunes and the Tiparra Reef, which is of a similar size (1000 hectares). There is a Tiparra Avenue at Park Holme and a Tiparra Street in Eden Hills in South Australia. (There is, however, a Tipara Court in Moonta Bay.)

Peter Christopher’s book “South Australian Shipwrecks – A Data Base” advises that the 535-ton iron barque San Miguel was wrecked at Tiparra Reef on 8^th May 1865. The same book advises though that the 6-ton steam launch Tipara was wrecked near Wardang Island on 2^nd September 1877. According to “Yorke Peninsula Shipping” by Ronald Parsons, “it became necessary to erect a light upon Tipara Reef, dangerous navigational hazard on the south western approaches to the area. When the lighthouse was completed . . . the contractors sold the small launch they had imported to assist the work. She had been named as TIPARA and was of 6 tons register and had been brought from England. . . . The buyer (from) Port Wakefield . . . arranged for her to be towed there by ss EURO. The tow was commenced at too high speed and the towline frayed. When EURO anchored in the lee of Wardang Island to repair the line the heavy seas caused EURO to sit upon TIPARA and damaged her so badly that she foundered in twenty fathoms. She sunk about 15 miles S.W. by W of Wardang Island, September 2, 1877.”

According to “Shipwrecks in South Australia – Book Two 1876-1899” by Ronald Parsons, “While being towed the cable parted and the Euro stopped so that the hawser could be refastened but a heavy swell threw the launch under the Euro’s quarter causing such damage that the launch filled and sank within ten minutes.” According to Yorke Peninsula’s (Top End) Tourist Guide 2005, “Tipara Reef is due west of Port Hughes and is a favourite with shallow water and undulating rocky bottoms. It’s home to snapper, whiting, squid, rock cods, sweep, salmon, tummies, snook, garfish and crabs. You name it – it’s a chef’s delight.” So these details above are the ‘facts’ unearthed to date. As for the ‘weight of evidence’ in the matter, it’s still fairly open but I myself still lean towards the spelling ‘Tiparra’ based on the evidence.

 

 

Flora & Fauna Of Piccaninnie Ponds And Ewens Ponds (Including Eight Mile Creek)

by Steve Reynolds

My article “The Flora & Fauna Of Piccaninnie Ponds And Ewens Ponds (Including Eight Mile Creek)” in our 2006 Journal was essentially the continuation of one that was featured in the September 2006 issue of Dive Log Australasia (“MLSSA’s 2006 Mount Gambier Trip”). That article described our trip in detail whereas the Journal article discussed the flora and fauna of the ponds in detail.

The article which featured in the Journal was, unfortunately, not the final version that was intended. The final draft was not received by the Editor. I became concerned that some information was missing whilst I was re-reading my own work in the Journal. A comparison of the Journal article with my final draft revealed that some of the intended information was missing. It is now my aim to rectify the error.

Page 49 of the Journal featured a list of “the common reeds and bulrush that dominate the area surrounding Ewens Ponds” (two items). The article then went on to say “Tea-tree thickets consisting of Leptospermum pubescens and Scented paperbark, Melaleuca squarrosa are scattered amongst the reeds and bullrush. These vegetation associations (in the upper reaches of the ponds) have root systems which stabilize the banks and prevent contamination by surface runoff.”

A sentence explaining that “The Biology of Ewens and Piccaninnie Ponds, South Australia” by Dr. Neil Hallam discusses the vegetation of the ponds in detail, including Leptospermum and Melaleuca species” was missing after this. It should have featured just before the reference to my list of the vegetation (plant and algae species) known to occur in Ewens Ponds.

The actual list of the vegetation known to occur in Ewens Ponds was featured on page 50 of the Journal. This list, however, was incomplete. It should have listed 20 species including the following: -

 

Some paragraphs in the Journal article were placed in positions different to the intended final draft version. This does not spoil the message however. A good part of the intended text was omitted from the Journal article though, including one of my lists. This text is now reproduced below: -

“The Biology of Ewens and Piccaninnie Ponds, South Australia” by Dr. Neil Hallam says that, “The dominant species before drainage was watercress, Nasturtium officinale, occurring there in great masses from deep in the (Ewens) ponds to the surface. At the present time (1983-5) it is mainly restricted to Eight Mile Creek between the ponds and along the edges of Eight Mile Creek as it flows from the third pond to the sea”.

“The Biology of Ewens and Piccaninnie Ponds, South Australia” also says that pondweed “Potamogeton pectinatus is only found now (1983-5) in the lower reaches of the creek and at Piccaninnie Ponds. It also says that “Myriophyllum, once recorded for Ewens Ponds by Eardly*, is now found only at Piccaninnie Ponds. Myriophyllum elatinoides has not been seen in Ewens Ponds or Eight Mile Creek over the last five years (to 1983-5), although it was recorded by her in 1943”.

Constance Eardly carried out an ecological survey of Ewens Ponds in 1943. It seems that her results were published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of South Australia that same year.

“The Biology of Ewens and Piccaninnie Ponds, South Australia” repeats the comment that “Potamogeton pectinatus occurs only in the lower reaches of Eight Mile Creek (beyond the third pond). It also says the same for the Sea Tassel, Ruppia maritoma.

The vegetation of Eight Mile Creek is said to be “dominated by clumps of green Nasturtium* and red purple Veronica catenata.

* The watercress Nasturtium officinale (also called Rorippa officinalis or Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum or Radicula nasturtium-aquaticum).

The freshwater red alga, Batrachospermum species is “locally abundant” but it is often classified as rare. It is said to be present within the small cave (overhang) at the bottom of the third pond and also beneath the landing of the first pond at Ewens Ponds.

The channels between the ponds at Ewens Ponds are said to be dominated by the watercress Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum, the Lesser Water parsnip, Berula erecta (or Sium latifolium) and the common spike-rush (Eleocharis acuta).

 

And . . .

 

According to Dr. Neil Hallam, the tea tree thicket Leptospermum lanigerum is said to surround Piccaninnie Ponds “and bog plants such as Typha (bullrush), Cladium and Eleocharis (sedges).”

 

This next part of my list (Table 9) covers some of the vegetation (plant and algae species) known to occur in Piccaninnie Ponds: -

 

Common Name	Scientific Name	Family
River buttercup	Ranunculus amphitrichus	Ranunculaceae
Water ribbons	Triglochin procerum (or procera?)	Juncaginaceae
Shield pennywort	Hydrocotyle verticillata	Apiaceae (formerly Umbelliferae)
Duckweed	Lemna triscula	Lemnaceae
Watercress	Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (also called Rorippa officinalis or Nasturtium officinale or Radicula nasturtium-aquaticum)	Brassicaceae (Cruciferae)
Blue-green bacteria/alga		Division: Cyanobacteria
Moss	Distichophyllum microcarpum
Water Milfoil	Myriophyllum propinquum	Haloragaceae
Saw sedges	Gahnia spp	Cyperaceae
Rushes	Juncus spp	Juncaceae
Rushes	Scirpus spp	Cyperaceae
Total: 11

 

According to Dr. Neil Hallam, “Large clumps of Triglochin procera also dominate the pond edges. Some of the other plants that grow at Ewens Ponds such as Ranunculus, Nasturtium  and Hydrocotyle do not grow as robust at Piccaninnie Ponds presumably because of the higher salinity. The swamp system surrounding the ponds is dominated by tussock species such as saw sedges (Gahnia spp) and rushes (Juncus and Scirpus spp).”

 

(As indicated in Table 9 above, Gahnia spp and Scirpus spp belong to the Cyperaceae family and Juncus spp belong to the Juncaceae family.)

 

Dr Hallam also says that Water Milfoil, Myriophyllum propinquum, does not occur at Ewens Ponds. In Piccaninnie Ponds, however, it “grows as a submerged aquatic at the edges of the chasm, usually with filamentous algae entangled in it”.

He also says that, “The aquatic moss Distichophyllum microcarpum is another species not present at Ewens Ponds and it grows down the walls of the chasm to depths of 16metres”.

He says that, “The only other plants growing down into the chasm are blue-green algae, these purple tufts contrasting with the bright green 2-3 cm high clumps of Distichophyllum on the limestone ledges . . .”.

He also says that, “Large clumps of Lemna triscula . . . can be seen on the ledges within the chasm and in the swamp surrounding. This species is quite rare at Ewens Ponds but grows well in the harder, more saline waters of Piccaninnie Ponds”.

I trust that the above covers the missing items in the Journal article and it should be read in conjunction with the Journal.

 

New Wasp Species Named After Flinders And Baudin

by Steve Reynolds

 

The naming of things after both Nicolas Baudin and Matthew Flinders doesn’t look like slowing down just yet. I have previously reported the recent naming of places such as Nicolas Baudin Island, Baudin Beach and the Flinders-Baudin Research Centre in Flinders Chase National Park on Kangaroo Island. Now we hear that a newly discovered wasp species has been named after Flinders and Baudin. There have, in fact been three newly discovered species of wasp in SA. They all belong to the Aulacidae family, which is rare in SA with less than a dozen specimens having been collected in over 150 years. These three new species were all discovered (and named) by three entomologists (insect experts) from the University of Adelaide. Dr John Jennings, Professor Andy Austin and Mr Nick Stevens found a single specimen of one of the wasps at West Bay in Flinders Chase National Park. It was a male wasp about 8mm in length and reddish brown in colour. They were inspired by Encounter 2002 and the opening of the Flinders-Baudin Research Centre and decided to name the wasp species Aulacus flinders-baudini. One of the other new species was collected by the former Curator of Entomology at the SA Museum, Dr Gordon Gross so it was named after him. It was thus named Aulacus grossi. The other new species was discovered in Belair National Park so it was named Aulacus belairensis.

 

Captain Thomas Swiggs

by Steve Reynolds

 

Birkenhead’s Swiggs Street is named in honour of Captain Thomas Swiggs. Captain Thomas Bowden Swiggs was a respected resident of Birkenhead from 1849 until his death there in 1903 after a short illness at the age of 83 years. Swiggs, his wife Elizabeth (nee Hackett) and eldest daughter (1 year old) migrated from Plymouth, England to Port Adelaide, South Australia and settled at Birkenhead in 1849. Swiggs and his wife had nine children whilst residing at Birkenhead, although one child (a twin) died at an early age. When Swiggs died in 1903, he was survived by his wife, his remaining four sons and four daughters, 30 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Swiggs had been a Chief Carpenter’s Mate in the Royal Navy. He established a boat building business on the northern shore of the Port River at Birkenhead. Today we would call him a shipwright. His shipyard became known as “Swiggs’ Slips”. Here he is said to have built a 19-ton wooden schooner called the Albert in 1863. As a registered ship owner, Swiggs earned the title of Captain. In 1873 Captain Swiggs purchased the wooden schooner Omeo. He cut up her 46.9 feet length and lengthened her to meet the requirements of trade between the Port and Kangaroo Island.

Captain Swiggs owned a number of ships during his life, including the ketch Vivid and the schooner Otter. He became qualified as a Master Mariner in 1874. He also served on the Birkenhead Council as a councillor for a number of years (Birkenhead was once a District Council in its own right, established in 1877).

Captain Swiggs was also a Freemason and he assisted in the formation of the first Masonic Lodge at Port Adelaide. He featured in a photograph in the book “Back to Semaphore” showing “Pioneer Portonians – Port Adelaide and Semaphore Pioneers (1902)”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Cheer up, can’t you see that I love you?”

Steve Reynolds

(Photo taken by David Muirhead, as featured in MLSSA’s 2005 Calendar of South Australian Marine Life, month of November.)