Brittlestars on faunal and algal encrusted exposed to moderately wave-exposed Atlantic circalittoral rock
Description (English)
This variant is typically found on the upper faces of exposed and moderately wave-exposed circalittoral bedrock, boulders and cobbles subject to moderately strong to weak tidal streams. It is characterised by high densities of brittlestars (predominantly Ophiothrix fragilis, Ophiocomina nigra and Ophiura albida). In fact, they may form such dense beds that the seabed underneath may not be visible. The rocky substratum is usually colonised by species such as encrusting red algae and the white, calcareous tubes of the polychaete Pomatoceros triqueter. Only robust hydroids such as Abietinaria abietina, Alcyonium digitatum and bryozoan crusts such as Parasmittina trispinosa are able to tolerate the significant smothering effect from the dense mat of brittlestars. Other species typically seen include Echinus esculentus, Asterias rubens, Pagurus bernhardus, Anapagurus hyndmanni, Gibbula cineraria, Urticina felina, Pododesmus patelliformis and Ciona intestinalis.
Situation: Shallower than the MC1-2244 variant, kelp park and forest may be found with species such as Laminaria saccharina and Laminaria hyperborea.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code MC12244 |
---|---|
Relation to | Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites) |
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 |
---|---|---|
Laminaria hyperborea | Algae | |
Laminaria saccharina | Algae | |
Abietinaria abietina | Invertebrates | |
Alcyonium digitatum | Invertebrates | |
Asterias rubens | Invertebrates | |
Ciona intestinalis | Invertebrates | |
Echinus esculentus | Invertebrates | |
Ophiocomina nigra | Invertebrates | |
Ophiothrix fragilis | Invertebrates | |
Ophiura albida | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A4.2144 | Brittlestars on faunal and algal encrusted exposed to moderately wave-exposed circalittoral rock | same |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A4.2144 | Brittlestars on faunal and algal encrusted exposed to moderately wave-exposed circalittoral rock | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.651 | Ophiothrix fragilis and/or Ophiocomina nigra beds on slightly tide-swept circalittoral rock or mixed substrata | wider | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.651 | Ophiothrix fragilis and/or Ophiocomina nigra beds on slightly tide-swept circalittoral rock or mixed substrata | overlap | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.651 | Ophiothrix fragilis and/or Ophiocomina nigra beds on slightly tide-swept circalittoral rock or mixed substrata | overlap | |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | MCR.Bri.Oph | Ophiothrix fragilis and/or Ophiocomina nigra beds on slightly tide-swept circalittoral rock or mixed substrata | overlap |