Tubularia indivisa on tide-swept circalittoral rock
Description (English)
This biotope is typically found on the vertical and upper faces of strongly tide-swept, wave-exposed circalittoral bedrock and boulders. It is characterised by a dense carpet of the robust hydroid Tubularia indivisa. The barnacle Balanus crenatus, where present, is recorded as common. The accompanying species in the community are determined by tidal stream strength. On the more sheltered sides of headlands, where tidal streams are accelerated, sponges such as Pachymatisma johnstonia, Esperiopsis fucorum, Myxilla incrustans and Halichondria panicea proliferate forming the A4.1121 sub-unit. There may also be a scattered bryozoan turf, formed by criisid bryozoans. However, where tidal streams are slightly reduced, but on more wave-exposed coasts, anthozoans such as Alcyonium digitatum become more prominent forming the biotope A4.1122. Other species recorded in this biotope include the anemones Sagartia elegans, Actinothoe sphyrodeta, Corynactis virdis and Urticina felina. There may be scattered clumps of hydroids such as Sertularia argentea and Nemertesia antennina. Where `relative shelter' is afforded by the topography of the seabed, the bryozoans Flustra foliacea, Alcyonidium diaphanum and the crab Cancer pagurus may be found. More ubiqutous species such as Asterias rubens and Calliostoma zizyphinum may also be present.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code A4.112 |
---|---|
Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A4) |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Alcyonium digitatum | Invertebrates | |
Asterias rubens | Invertebrates | |
Calliostoma zizyphinum | Invertebrates | |
Cancer pagurus | Invertebrates | |
Flustra foliacea | Invertebrates | |
Halichondria panicea | Invertebrates | |
Nemertesia antennina | Invertebrates | |
Pachymatisma johnstonia | Invertebrates | |
Sagartia elegans | Invertebrates | |
Sertularia argentea | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | CR.HCR.FaT.CTub | <I>Tubularia indivisa</I> on tide-swept circalittoral rock | source |
CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.3. | Sea and ocean | n/a |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A4.112 | Tubularia indivisa on tide-swept circalittoral rock | same |