Sponges, cup corals and anthozoans on shaded or overhanging circalittoral rock
Description (English)
This biotope occurs on shaded and overhanging rock, such as on cave walls and ceilings although there are very few records of caves in conditions not subject to wave surge (i.e. deeper circalittoral habitats) and almost all are different in species composition. There are also a few examples of similar communities on very deep (70-100 m+) upward-facing rock (in Loch Hourn) and more may be found through the use of ROVs. These often species-rich habitats are almost invariably adjacent to well-mixed turbulent water. Characteristic species include the sponges Stryphnus ponderosus, Dercitus bucklandi, Chelonaplysilla noevus, Pseudosuberites sp. and Spongosorites sp., the anemones Parazoanthus spp., the cup corals Leptopsammia pruvoti, Hoplangia durotrix, Caryophyllia inornatus and the soft coral Parerythropodium coralloides. Thymosia guernei is sometimes present. This biotope is likely to need further splitting with further data and analysis.
Situation: Subtidal rocky coasts.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code A4.711 |
|---|---|
| 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
Invertebrates
Chelonaplysilla noevus
Invertebrates
Dercitus bucklandi
Invertebrates
Hoplangia durotrix
Invertebrates
Leptopsammia pruvoti
Invertebrates
Stryphnus ponderosus
Invertebrates
Thymosia guernei
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Chelonaplysilla noevus | Invertebrates | |
| Dercitus bucklandi | Invertebrates | |
| Hoplangia durotrix | Invertebrates | |
| Leptopsammia pruvoti | Invertebrates | |
| Stryphnus ponderosus | Invertebrates | |
| Thymosia guernei | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | CR.FCR.Cv.SpCup | Sponges, cup corals and anthozoans on shaded or overhanging 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 | A4.711 | Sponges, cup corals and anthozoans on shaded or overhanging circalittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.B11 | Sponges, cup corals and anthozoans on shaded or overhanging circalittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.B11 | Sponges, cup corals and Parerythropodium coralloides on shaded/overhanging circalittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.811 | Sponges, cup corals and Parerythropodium coralloides on shaded/overhanging circalittoral rock | same |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | CR.Cv.SCup | Sponges, cup corals and Parerythropodium coralloides on shaded/overhanging circalittoral rock | same |
