Polydora sp. tubes on moderately exposed Atlantic circalittoral soft rock
Description (English)
Large patches of chalk and soft limestone are occasionally covered entirely by Polydora sp. tubes to the exclusion of almost all other species. This tends to occur in highly turbid conditions and spans the infralittoral and circalittoral in limestone areas such as the Great and Little Ormes (North Wales) and Gower (South Wales). It is even present on the lower shore in the Severn estuary. The boring form of the sponge Cliona celata often riddles the surface layer of the stone. Other sponges present include Halichondria panicea, Haliclona oculata and Hymeniacidon perleve. Polydora sp. also frequently occurs in small patches as part of other biotopes (e.g. unit MC1-216). Other species present include Alcyonium digitatum, Sarcodictyon roseum, the hydroids Halecium halecinum, Abietinaria abietina and Tubularia indivisa, the ascidians Clavelina lepadiformis, Botryllus schlosseri and Morchellium argus, the anemones Urticina felina, Metridium senile and Sagartia elegans and the bryozoans Flustra foliacea and a crisiid turf. The starfish Asterias rubens, the crabs Inachus phalangium and Carcinus maenas, the polychaete Pomatoceros triqueter, the barnacle Balanus crenatus and the brittlestar Ophiothrix fragilis may also be seen. Please note: this biotope may extend into the infralittoral and littoral zone in areas where water turbidity is sufficiently high.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code MC1252 |
---|---|
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 |
---|---|---|
Abietinaria abietina | Invertebrates | |
Alcyonium digitatum | Invertebrates | |
Asterias rubens | Invertebrates | |
Botryllus schlosseri | Invertebrates | |
Carcinus maenas | Invertebrates | |
Clavelina lepadiformis | Invertebrates | |
Cliona celata | Invertebrates | |
Flustra foliacea | Invertebrates | |
Halichondria panicea | Invertebrates | |
Inachus phalangium | Invertebrates | |
Metridium senile | Invertebrates | |
Sagartia elegans | Invertebrates | |
Sarcodictyon roseum | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A4.232 | Polydora sp. tubes on moderately exposed sublittoral soft rock | same |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A4.232 | Polydora sp. tubes on moderately exposed sublittoral soft rock | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.682 | Polydora sp. tubes on upward-facing circalittoral soft rock | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.682 | Polydora sp. tubes on upward-facing circalittoral soft rock | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.682 | Polydora sp. tubes on upward-facing circalittoral soft rock | same | |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | MCR.SfR.Pol | Polydora sp. tubes on upward-facing circalittoral soft rock | same |