Circalittoral fouling faunal communities
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 (A4.722) 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 A4.72 |
|---|---|
| Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A4) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | CR.FCR.FouFa | Circalittoral fouling faunal communities | source |
| CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.3. | Sea and ocean | n/a |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A4.72 | Circalittoral fouling faunal communities | same |
