Sponge communities on deep circalittoral rock
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English name
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Sponge communities on deep circalittoral rock
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EUNIS habitat type code
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A4.12
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Level
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4
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Edition
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EUNIS Habitat Classification 2012 - a revision of the habitat classification descriptions.
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Description ( English )
This habitat type typically occurs on deep (commonly below 30m depth), wave-exposed circalittoral rock subject to negligible tidal streams. The sponge component of this biotope is the most striking feature, with similar species to the bryozoan and erect sponge habitat type (A4.131) although in this case, the sponges [Phakellia ventilabrum], [Axinella infundibuliformis], [Axinella dissimilis] and [Stelligera stuposa] dominate. Other sponge species frequently found on exposed rocky coasts are also present in low to moderate abundance. These include [Cliona celata], [Polymastia boletiformis], [Haliclona viscosa], [Pachymatisma johnstonia], [Dysidea fragilis], [Suberites carnosus], [Stelligera rigida], [Hemimycale columella] and [Tethya aurantium]. The cup coral [Caryophyllia smithii] and the anemone [Corynactis virdis] may be locally abundant in some areas, along with the holothurian [Holothuria forskali]. The soft corals [Alcyonium digitatum] and [Alcyonium glomeratum] are frequently observed. The bryozoans [Pentapora foliacea] and [Porella compressa] are also more frequently found in this deep-water habitat type. Bryozoan crusts such as [Parasmittina trispinosa] are also occasionally recorded. Isolated clumps of large hydroids such as [Nemertesia antennina], [Nemertesia ramosa] and [Sertularella gayi] may be seen on the tops of boulders and rocky outcrops. Large echinoderms such as [Echinus esculentus], [Luidia ciliaris], [Marthasterias glacialis], [Strichastrella rosea], [Henricia oculata] and [Aslia lefevrei] may also be present. The sea fan [Eunicella verucosa] may be locally common but to a lesser extent than in A4.1311. The top shell [Calliostoma zizyphinum] is often recorded as present.
Source
Connor, D.W., Allen, J.H., Golding, N., Howell, K.L., Lieberknecht, L.M., Northen, K.O. & Reker, J.B. [edited ETC/BD] (2004)
External links
Relationships with other classifications
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Classification
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Code
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Title
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Relation type
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EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410
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A4.12
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Sponge communities on deep circalittoral rock
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same
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EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308
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A3.8
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Deep circalittoral rock habitats exposed to strong currents
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narrower
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EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308
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A3.61
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Mixed faunal turf communities on moderately exposed circalittoral rock
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overlap
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EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202
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A3.8
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Deep circalittoral rock habitats exposed to strong currents
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same
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EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202
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A3.61
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Mixed faunal turf communities on moderately exposed circalittoral rock
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same
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EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910
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A3.61
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Mixed faunal turf communities on moderately exposed circalittoral rock
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same
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EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811
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A3.61
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Mixed faunal turf communities on moderately exposed circalittoral rock
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same
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EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712
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A5.21
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Mixed faunal turf communities on moderately exposed circalittoral rock
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same
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CORINE Land Cover
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5.2.3.
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Sea and ocean
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n/a
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Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405
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CR.HCR.DpSp
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Deep sponge communities (circalittoral)
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source
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MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)
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MCR.XFa
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Mixed faunal turfs (moderately exposed rock)
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same
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MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland)
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MCR.FaXTf
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same
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A
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Marine habitats
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Ancestor
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A4
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Circalittoral rock and other hard substrata
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Ancestor
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A4.1
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Atlantic and Mediterranean high energy circalittoral rock
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Parent
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