Chthamalus spp. and Lichina pygmaea on steep exposed upper eulittoral rock
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code MA12222 |
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Relation to | Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites) |
Description (English)
Areas of steep and vertical rock in the upper eulittoral on very exposed to moderately exposed shores characterised by tufts of the dark brownish lichen Lichina pygmaea and the barnacles Chthamalus montagui and Chthamalus stellatus, although long-established patches of L. pygmaea ultimately exclude barnacles. The rigid branching thallus of L. pygmaea provides an ideal habitat for the bivalve Lasaea adasoni, the winkles Littorina saxatilis and Melarhaphe neritoides. The anemone Actinia equina and the mussel Mytilus edulis are confined to moist cracks and crevices, while the limpet Patella vulgata is found on the open bedrock. In the south-west the top shell Gibbula umbilicalis can be found on L. pygmaea. On the north-east coast this biotope does not have Chthamalus spp., L. pygmaea being the most important characterising species on these sites.
Situation: The band of L. pygmaea lies between the Verrucaria maura zone (MA1-2131 or MA1-2132) above and the barnacle P. vulgata zone below. Other upper shore biotopes (MA1-2131 or MA1-2132) may contain occasional patches of L. pygmaea, particularly on steep sunny faces, though not forming a distinct zone. L. pygmaea also occurs on less steeply-sloping shores if they are in a sunny aspect. In some areas, a high abundance of L. pygmaea results in a distinct zone, particularly in the south. On Chthamalus spp . dominated shores (south and west coasts) the band of L. pygmaea lies within the barnacle zone, whereas on Semibalanus balanoides dominated shores (north and east coasts) MA1-2222 lies astride the upper limit of the barnacles.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Legal status
Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
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Actinia equina | Invertebrates | |
Chthamalus stellatus | Invertebrates | |
Melarhaphe neritoides | Invertebrates | |
Mytilus edulis | Invertebrates | |
Patella vulgata | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A1.1122 | Chthamalus spp. and Lichina pygmaea on steep exposed upper eulittoral rock | same |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A1.1122 | Chthamalus spp. and Lichina pygmaea on steep exposed upper eulittoral rock | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A1.1122 | Chthamalus spp. and Lichina pygmaea on steep exposed upper eulittoral rock | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A1.1122 | Barnacles and Lichina pygmaea on steep exposed eulittoral rock | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A1.1122 | Barnacles and Lichina pygmaea on steep exposed eulittoral rock | same | |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | ELR.MB.BPat.Lic | Barnacles and Lichina pygmaea on steep exposed eulittoral rock | same |