Tubularia indivisa and cushion sponges on tide-swept turbid circalittoral bedrock
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code A4.1121 |
---|---|
Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A4) |
Description (English)
This variant is typically found on the vertical and upper faces of strongly tide-swept, exposed circalittoral bedrock and boulders. It is commonly associated with areas where turbidity levels are high for much of the year, for example, around Anglesey and the Lleyn Penisula. From afar, this variant appears as a dense carpet of Tubularia indivisa covering tide-swept gully walls, floors and boulders. T. indivisa is frequently observed growing through sheets of sponges such as Myxilla incrustans and Halichondria panicea as well as through dense patches of the barnacle Balanus crenatus and tubes of the amphipod Jassa spp. Several other species of sponge appear to be tolerant of the high turbidity in areas where this variant occurs, many of which are common in other biotopes. These include Esperiopsis fucorum, Pachymatisma johnstonia, Hemimycale columella, Dysidea fragilis and Clathrina coriacea. Robust hydroids (other than T. indivisa) such as Nemertesia antennina and Sertularia argentea occur in patches. The anemones Urticina felina, Actinothoe sphyrodeta and Sagartia elegans are typically common. A short bryozoan turf consisting of crisiid bryozoans, Alcyonidium diaphanum, Bicellariella ciliata, Bugula turbinata and Bugula flabellata may be present. Alcyonium digitatum may occasionally be seen although it doesn't tend to be as dominant as in A4.1122. Individual Corynactis viridis may be seen scattered across the gully walls and boulders. The starfish Henricia oculata may be seen on boulders and gully floors whilst typical under-boulder fauna includes the crab Cancer pagurus.
Situation: Above this biotope, Laminaria forest (unit A3.115) may be found.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Actinothoe sphyrodeta | Invertebrates | |
Alcyonidium diaphanum | Invertebrates | |
Alcyonium digitatum | Invertebrates | |
Balanus crenatus | Invertebrates | |
Bicellariella ciliata | Invertebrates | |
Bugula flabellata | Invertebrates | |
Bugula turbinata | Invertebrates | |
Cancer pagurus | Invertebrates | |
Clathrina coriacea | Invertebrates | |
Corynactis viridis | Invertebrates | |
Dysidea fragilis | Invertebrates | |
Esperiopsis fucorum | Invertebrates | |
Halichondria panicea | Invertebrates | |
Hemimycale columella | Invertebrates | |
Henricia oculata | Invertebrates | |
Myxilla incrustans | Invertebrates | |
Nemertesia antennina | Invertebrates | |
Pachymatisma johnstonia | Invertebrates | |
Sagartia elegans | Invertebrates | |
Sertularia argentea | Invertebrates | |
Tubularia indivisa | Invertebrates | |
Urticina felina | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | CR.HCR.FaT.CTub.CuSp | <I>Tubularia indivisa</I> and cushion sponges on tide-swept turbid circalittoral bedrock | source |
CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.3. | Sea and ocean | n/a |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A4.1121 | Tubularia indivisa and cushion sponges on tide-swept turbid circalittoral bedrock | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.532 | Tubularia indivisa, sponges and other hydroids on tide-swept circalittoral bedrock | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.533 | Balanus crenatus, Halichondria panicea and Alcyonidium diaphanum on extremely tide-swept sheltered circalittoral rock | narrower |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.532 | Tubularia indivisa, sponges and other hydroids on tide-swept circalittoral bedrock | narrower |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.533 | Balanus crenatus, Halichondria panicea and Alcyonidium diaphanum on extremely tide-swept sheltered circalittoral rock | narrower |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.533 | Balanus crenatus, Halichondria panicea and Alcyonidium diaphanum on extremely tide-swept sheltered circalittoral rock | narrower |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.532 | Tubularia indivisa, sponges and other hydroids on tide-swept circalittoral bedrock | narrower |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | ECR.BS.BalHpan | Balanus crenatus, Halichondria panicea and Alcyonidium diaphanum on extremely tide-swept sheltered circalittoral rock | narrower |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | ECR.BS.TubS | Tubularia indivisa, sponges and other hydroids on tide-swept circalittoral bedrock | narrower |