Sponges and anemones on Atlantic circalittoral vertical bedrock
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code MC121B |
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Relation to | Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites) |
Description (English)
This biotope is found on exposed to moderately wave exposed, vertical and overhanging, circalittoral bedrock, subject to strong through to weak tidal streams. This biotope is characterised by a mixed faunal turf of hydroids (Nemertesis antennina, Tubularia indivisa and Halecium halecium) and bryozoans (Alcyonidium diaphanum and crisiid turf). There is frequently a diverse range of sponges recorded, including Cliona celata, Pachymatisma johnstonia, Dysidea fragilis and Hemimycale columella. There may be dense aggregation of dead mans fingers Alcyonium digitatum along with clumps of the cup coral Caryophyllia smithii, and the anthozoans Corynactis viridis, Actinothoe sphyrodeta, Sagartia elegans and Metridium senile. Other species present include the echinoderms Echinus esculentus, Asterias rubens, Marthasterias glacialis, Henricia oculata, Holothuria forskali and Antedon bifida, clumps of the lightbulb tunicate Clavelina lepadiformis and the top shell Calliostoma zizyphinum. Three regional variations of this biotope have been recorded. The first variant is characterised by a Bugula turf along with the pink sea fan Eunicella verrucosa, and has been recorded from around southwest England and Wales. The second variant, characterised by a dense 'carpet' of Corynactis viridis and Metridium senile has been recorded predominantly from the west coast of Ireland. The final variant is characterised by a very diverse, dense faunal turf of hydroids, bryozoans and ascidians and has been recorded from the coasts around Northern Ireland.
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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Alcyonium digitatum | Invertebrates | |
Antedon bifida | Invertebrates | |
Asterias rubens | Invertebrates | |
Calliostoma zizyphinum | Invertebrates | |
Caryophyllia smithii | Invertebrates | |
Clavelina lepadiformis | Invertebrates | |
Cliona celata | Invertebrates | |
Corynactis viridis | Invertebrates | |
Dysidea fragilis | Invertebrates | |
Echinus esculentus | Invertebrates | |
Eunicella verrucosa | Invertebrates | |
Halecium halecium | Invertebrates | |
Holothuria forskali | Invertebrates | |
Marthasterias glacialis | Invertebrates | |
Metridium senile | Invertebrates | |
Pachymatisma johnstonia | Invertebrates | |
Sagartia elegans | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A4.139 | Sponges and anemones on vertical circalittoral bedrock | same |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A4.139 | Sponges and anemones on vertical circalittoral bedrock | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.691 | Antedon bifida and a bryozoan/hydroid turf on steep or vertical circalittoral rock | narrower | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.69 | Faunal turfs on vertical circalittoral rock | wider | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.692 | Bugula spp. and other bryozoans on vertical moderately exposed circalittoral rock | overlap | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.69 | Faunal turfs on vertical circalittoral rock | overlap | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.69 | Faunal turfs on vertical circalittoral rock | overlap | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A3.68 | Faunal turfs on deep vertical circalittoral rock | overlap | |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | CR.FaV.Bug | Bugula spp. and other bryozoans on vertical moderately exposed circalittoral rock | overlap | |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | CR.FaV.Ant | Antedon bifida and a bryozoan/hydroid turf on steep or vertical circalittoral rock | overlap | |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | CR.FaV | Faunal turfs (deep vertical rock) | overlap |