Echinoderms and crustose communities on Atlantic circalittoral rock
Description (English)
This habitat type occurs on wave-exposed, moderately strong to weakly tide-swept, circalittoral bedrock and boulders. Echinoderms, faunal (Parasmittina trispinosa) and algal crusts (red encrusting algae) dominate this biotope, giving a sparse appearance. Typical echinoderms present are the starfish Asterias rubens, the brittlestar Ophiothrix fragilis and the sea urchin Echinus esculentus. There may be isolated clumps of the hydroids Nemertesia antennina and Abietinaria abietina, Alcyonium digitatum, the anemone Urticina felina and the cup coral Caryophyllia smithii. Other species present may include the polychaete Pomatoceros triqueter and the top shell Calliostoma zizphinum.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code MC122 |
|---|---|
| Relation to | Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive) |
Legal status
Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments
| Legal text | Annex | Name in legal text | Code in legal text |
Habitat type relationship |
More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007 | Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation | Reefs | 1170 | Narrower | http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Invertebrates
Abietinaria abietina
Invertebrates
Alcyonium digitatum
Invertebrates
Asterias rubens
Invertebrates
Caryophyllia smithii
Invertebrates
Nemertesia antennina
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Abietinaria abietina | Invertebrates | |
| Alcyonium digitatum | Invertebrates | |
| Asterias rubens | Invertebrates | |
| Caryophyllia smithii | Invertebrates | |
| Nemertesia antennina | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A4.21 | Echinoderms and crustose communities on circalittoral rock | narrower |
| European Red List of Habitats | NEAA4.21 | Echinoderms and crustose communities on moderate energy Atlantic upper circalittoral rock | same |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A4.21 | Echinoderms and crustose communities on circalittoral rock | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.65 | Brittlestar beds on circalittoral rock or mixed substrata | narrower | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.62 | Sand-influenced bryozoan and hydroid turfs on moderately exposed circalittoral rock | overlap | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.66 | Grazed faunal communities on moderately exposed or sheltered circalittoral rock | narrower | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.52 | Alcyonium-dominated communities on tide-swept circalittoral rock | overlap | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.66 | Grazed faunal communities on moderately exposed or sheltered circalittoral rock | narrower | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.52 | Alcyonium-dominated communities on tide-swept circalittoral rock | overlap | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.65 | Brittlestar beds on circalittoral rock or mixed substrata | narrower | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.62 | Sand-influenced bryozoan and hydroid turfs on moderately exposed circalittoral rock | overlap | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.65 | Brittlestar beds on circalittoral rock or mixed substrata | narrower | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.62 | Sand-influenced bryozoan and hydroid turfs on moderately exposed circalittoral rock | overlap | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.66 | Grazed faunal communities on moderately exposed or sheltered circalittoral rock | narrower | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.52 | Alcyonium-dominated communities on tide-swept circalittoral rock | overlap | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A3.64 | Sand- and silt-influenced faunal communities on moderately exposed circalittoral rock | narrower | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A3.62 | Ophiothrix fragilis and Ophiocomina nigra beds on slightly tide-swept circalittoral rock and mixed substrata | overlap | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A3.66 | Grazed fauna on moderately exposed or sheltered circalittoral rock | narrower | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A3.52 | Alcyonium-dominated communities on tide-swept circalittoral rock | overlap | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | A5.22 | Brittlestar beds on slightly tide-swept circalittoral rock and mixed substrata | overlap | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | A5.12 | Alcyonium-dominated communities on tide-swept circalittoral rock | overlap | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | A5.24 | Sand- and silt-influenced faunal communities on moderately exposed circalittoral rock | overlap | |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | MCR.Bri | Brittlestar beds | overlap | |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | MCR.GzFa | Grazed fauna (moderately exposed or sheltered rock) | overlap | |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | MCR.ByH | Bryozoan/hydroid turfs (sand-influenced) | overlap | |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | ECR.Alc | Alcyonium-dominated communities (tide-swept/vertical) | overlap | |
| MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland) | ECR.Alc | overlap | ||
| MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland) | MCR.Oph | overlap | ||
| MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland) | MCR.FaSnd | overlap |
