EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MC1 - Circalittoral rock > MC12 - Atlantic circalittoral rock > MC122 - Echinoderms and crustose communities on Atlantic circalittoral rock > MC1228 - Faunal communities on Atlantic circalittoral artificial hard substrate

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	Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites)

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
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats	Revised Annex I of Resolution 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention on endangered natural habitats types using the EUNIS habitat classification (year of revision 2010)	Reefs	1170	Narrower	https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc....ckColorLogged=FDC864 Resolution No. 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention lists endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures [and the designation of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) forming the Emerald network]

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Invertebrates Actinothoe sphyrodeta

Invertebrates Alcyonium digitatum

Invertebrates Ascidiella aspersa

Invertebrates Bugula plumosa

Invertebrates Cancer pagurus

Invertebrates Caryophyllia smithii

Invertebrates Flustra foliacea

Invertebrates Homarus gammarus

Invertebrates Maja squinado

Invertebrates Metridium senile

Invertebrates Necora puber

Invertebrates Nemertesia antennina

Invertebrates Sagartia elegans

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Actinothoe sphyrodeta		Invertebrates
Alcyonium digitatum		Invertebrates
Ascidiella aspersa		Invertebrates
Bugula plumosa		Invertebrates
Cancer pagurus		Invertebrates
Caryophyllia smithii		Invertebrates
Flustra foliacea		Invertebrates
Homarus gammarus		Invertebrates
Maja squinado		Invertebrates
Metridium senile		Invertebrates
Necora puber		Invertebrates
Nemertesia antennina		Invertebrates
Sagartia elegans		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A4.72	Circalittoral fouling faunal communities	overlap
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A4.7	Features of circalittoral rock	same

For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type	Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A4.72	Circalittoral fouling faunal communities	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A4.7	Features of circalittoral rock	same

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