EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MC1 - Circalittoral rock > MC12 - Atlantic circalittoral rock > MC124 - Faunal communities on variable salinity Atlantic circalittoral rock > MC1241 - Cushion sponges and hydroids on turbid tide-swept sheltered Atlantic circalittoral rock

Cushion sponges and hydroids on turbid tide-swept sheltered Atlantic circalittoral rock

Description (English)

This biotope is found in variable salinity environments and tends to occur on the upper faces of circalittoral bedrock and boulders, in sheltered sites subject to moderately strong tidal streams. This biotope is characterised by aggregations of cushion sponges such as Hymeniacidon perleve, Halichondria panicea, Halichondria bowerbanki and Cliona celata, other sponges (Leucosolenia botryoides and Suberites ficus) along with occasional hydroid tufts of Nemertesia antennina, Nemertesia ramosa and Plumularia setacea. Other species that may be present include the colonial ascidians Clavelina lepadiformis and Morchellium argus, Dendrodoa grossularia, the anemones Metridium senile and Sagartia troglodytes, the barnacle Balanus crenatus, Asterias rubens, Carcinus maenas and Bugula plumosa. Two variants of this biotope have been recorded: units MC1-2411 and MC1-2412.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code MC1241
Relation to Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites)

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Invertebrates Carcinus maenas
Invertebrates Clavelina lepadiformis
Invertebrates Cliona celata
Invertebrates Dendrodoa grossularia
Invertebrates Halichondria panicea
Invertebrates Metridium senile
Invertebrates Nemertesia antennina
Invertebrates Nemertesia ramosa
Invertebrates Plumularia setacea
Species scientific name English common name Species group
Carcinus maenas Invertebrates
Clavelina lepadiformis Invertebrates
Cliona celata Invertebrates
Dendrodoa grossularia Invertebrates
Halichondria panicea Invertebrates
Metridium senile Invertebrates
Nemertesia antennina Invertebrates
Nemertesia ramosa Invertebrates
Plumularia setacea Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) A4.251 Cushion sponges and hydroids on turbid tide-swept sheltered 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 A4.251 Cushion sponges and hydroids on turbid tide-swept sheltered circalittoral rock same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 A3.534 Cushion sponges, hydroids and ascidians on very tide-swept sheltered circalittoral rock same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 A3.534 Cushion sponges, hydroids and ascidians on very tide-swept sheltered circalittoral rock same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 A3.534 Cushion sponges, hydroids and ascidians on very tide-swept sheltered circalittoral rock same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) ECR.BS.CuSH Cushion sponges, hydroids and ascidians on very tide-swept sheltered circalittoral rock same
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