Corynactis viridis and a mixed turf of crisiids, Bugula, Scrupocellaria, and Cellaria on moderately tide-swept exposed Atlantic circalittoral rock
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code MC1214 |
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Relation to | Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites) |
Description (English)
This biotope typically occurs on wave-exposed, vertical or steep, circalittoral bedrock or large boulders, usually subject to moderate or strong tidal streams. It is characterised by dense aggregations of the anemone Corynactis viridis and the cup coral Caryophyllia smithii intermixed with a short bryozoan turf of one or more Crisia spp., Scrupocellaria spp., Bugula spp. and Cellaria spp. Occasionally, this turf obscures the underlying C. virdis and C. smithii. Cushion and encrusting sponges, particularly Pachymatisma johnstonia, Cliona celata, Esperiopsis fucorum and Dysidea fragilis, are present in moderate amounts at many sites. The axinellid sponges Stelligera spp. and Raspailia spp. are less frequently recorded. Clumps of large hydroids such as Nemertesia antennina and Nemertesia ramosa as well as the soft coral Alcyonium digitatum and the bryozoan Alcyonidium diaphanum may be found covering the hard substratum. The anemones Actinothoe sphyrodeta and Sagartia elegans are typically present in low numbers, while the hard `coral' Pentapora foliacea is also occasionally observed. The most frequently recorded echinoderms are Marthasterias glacialis and Asterias rubens, although other species such as Echinus esculentus may also be seen. The rocky substratum may have a patchy covering of encrusting red seaweeds/algae. The crabs Necora puber and Cancer pagurus may be seen in crevices or under overhangs. This biotope is regularly recorded around south west England and Wales, often on vertical rock faces.
Situation: Due to its wave-exposed nature, kelp park and forest biotopes (units MB1-213 and MB1-211) are commonly found in the infralittoral zone shallower than this biotope, and feature species such as Laminaria hyperborea, Sacchoriza polyschides and Alaria esculenta.
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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Alaria esculenta | Algae | |
Laminaria hyperborea | Algae | |
Actinothoe sphyrodeta | Invertebrates | |
Alcyonidium diaphanum | Invertebrates | |
Alcyonium digitatum | Invertebrates | |
Asterias rubens | Invertebrates | |
Cancer pagurus | Invertebrates | |
Caryophyllia smithii | Invertebrates | |
Cliona celata | Invertebrates | |
Corynactis viridis | Invertebrates | |
Dysidea fragilis | Invertebrates | |
Echinus esculentus | Invertebrates | |
Esperiopsis fucorum | Invertebrates | |
Marthasterias glacialis | Invertebrates | |
Necora puber | Invertebrates | |
Nemertesia ramosa | Invertebrates | |
Sagartia elegans | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A4.132 | Corynactis viridis and a mixed turf of crisiids, Bugula, Scrupocellaria, and Cellaria on moderately tide-swept exposed circalittoral rock | same |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
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EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A4.132 | Corynactis viridis and a mixed turf of crisiids, Bugula, Scrupocellaria, and Cellaria on moderately tide-swept exposed circalittoral rock | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.512 | Corynactis viridis and a mixed turf of crisiids, Bugula, Scrupocellaria, and Cellaria on moderately tide-swept exposed circalittoral rock | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.512 | Corynactis viridis and a crisiid/Bugula/Cellaria turf on steep or vertical exposed circalittoral rock | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.512 | Corynactis viridis and a crisiid/Bugula/Cellaria turf on steep or vertical exposed circalittoral rock | same | |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | ECR.EFa.CorCri | Corynactic viridis and a crisiid/Bugula/Cellaria turf on steep or vertical exposed circalittoral rock | same |