Hiatella-bored Atlantic circalittoral vertical limestone rock
Description (English)
Moderately exposed vertical and overhanging soft rock (typically chalk), subject to moderately strong to weak tidal streams, bored by the rock-boring mollusc Hiatella arctica. As with other biotopes in the soft rock complex, it is found in areas of high turbidity, where there is poor light penetration. There may be isolated clumps of the hydroid Nemertesia antennina and a sparse bryozoan turf formed by various crisiids, Bugula plumosa and Bugula flabellate (often being grazed on by the nudibranch Janolus cristatus), Alcyonidium diaphanum, Flustra foliacea and Cellapora pumicosa. A patchy 'carpet' of the brittlestar Ophiothrix fragilis is often recorded along with other echinoderms such as Asterias rubens and Henricia sanguinolenta. Other species present include the colonial ascidians Polyclinum aurantium, Botrylloides leachi, Clavelina lepadiformis, Aplidium punctatum and Botryllus schlosseri, dead mans fingers Alcyonium digitatum and the crab Cancer pagurus. Sponges present include the boring sponge Cliona celata, Halichondria panicea, Myxilla incrustans, Leucosolenia botryoides and Dysidea fragilis. Occasionally, the foliose red seaweed Delessaria sanguinea may be recorded.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code MC1253 |
---|---|
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 |
---|---|---|
Alcyonium digitatum | Invertebrates | |
Asterias rubens | Invertebrates | |
Botryllus schlosseri | Invertebrates | |
Cancer pagurus | Invertebrates | |
Clavelina lepadiformis | Invertebrates | |
Cliona celata | Invertebrates | |
Dysidea fragilis | Invertebrates | |
Flustra foliacea | Invertebrates | |
Halichondria panicea | Invertebrates | |
Hiatella arctica | Invertebrates | |
Nemertesia antennina | Invertebrates | |
Ophiothrix fragilis | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A4.233 | Hiatella-bored vertical sublittoral limestone rock | same |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A4.233 | Hiatella-bored vertical sublittoral limestone rock | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.2411 | Hiatella arctica, bryozoans and ascidians on vertical infralittoral soft rock | overlap | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.2411 | Hiatella arctica, bryozoans and ascidians on vertical infralittoral soft rock | overlap | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.2411 | Hiatella arctica, bryozoans and ascidians on vertical infralittoral soft rock | overlap | |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | IR.FaSwV.AlcByH.Hia | Hiatella arctica, bryozoans and ascidians on vertical infralittoral soft rock | overlap |