Faunal communities on Atlantic circalittoral artificial hard substrate
Description (English)
This habitat type contains two biotopes which, although have different physical habitat characteristics, share the fact that they colonise new areas of artificial substrata relatively quickly. The Ascidiella aspersa fouling biotope (MC1-2282) is found on wave-sheltered artificial substrata such as discarded fishing nets/mooring lines. A separate fouling biotope (A4.721) is described for open coast wrecks. This biotope has a characteristic faunal community of Alcyonium digitatum and the anemone Metridium senile. Other species recorded in this complex (primarily under subunit A4.721) include the hydroid Nemertesia antennina, the anemones Actinothoe sphyrodeta and Sagartia elegans, the cup coral Caryophyllia smithii, the bryozoans Flustra foliacea and Bugula plumosa, the crabs Necora puber, Cancer pagurus and Maja squinado and the lobster Homarus gammarus.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code MC1228 |
|---|---|
| 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
Alcyonium digitatum
Invertebrates
Cancer pagurus
Invertebrates
Caryophyllia smithii
Invertebrates
Flustra foliacea
Invertebrates
Homarus gammarus
Invertebrates
Maja squinado
Invertebrates
Metridium senile
Invertebrates
Nemertesia antennina
Invertebrates
Sagartia elegans
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Alcyonium digitatum | Invertebrates | |
| Cancer pagurus | Invertebrates | |
| Caryophyllia smithii | Invertebrates | |
| Flustra foliacea | Invertebrates | |
| Homarus gammarus | Invertebrates | |
| Maja squinado | Invertebrates | |
| Metridium senile | Invertebrates | |
| Nemertesia antennina | Invertebrates | |
| Sagartia elegans | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A4.7 | Features of circalittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A4.72 | Circalittoral fouling faunal communities | overlap |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A4.7 | Features of circalittoral rock | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A4.72 | Circalittoral fouling faunal communities | same |
