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

English name: Cushion sponges and hydroids on turbid tide-swept variable salinity sheltered circalittoral rock

Description (English)

This sub-biotope typically occurs in turbid, variable salinity water, on wave-sheltered bedrock in estuaries subject to strong tidal regimes where circalittoral communities occur in relatively shallow water (typically 5m to 8m water depth). Cushion sponges, hydroids and ascidians dominate the biotope. Large growths (often up to 50cm across) of the sponges Halichondria panicea mixed with Halichondria bowerbanki almost entirely cover the bedrock, appearing in places like a continuous cushion. Haliclona oculata, Suberites ficus, Leucosolenia botryoides, various hydroids such as Plumularia setacea, Nemertesia antennina, Nemertesia ramosa and various bryozoans such as Bugula plumosa, Bugula turbinata and Bowerbankia pustulosa protude through the Halichondria spp. sponge growth. Colonial ascidians such as the lightbulb ascidian Clavelina lepadiformis and Morchellium argus may also be observed. Other more ubiquitous species include Balanus crenatus, Carcinus maenas, Asterias rubens, Metridium senile, Sagartia elegans and Ophiothrix fragilis.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code A4.2512
Bern Convention Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A4)

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Invertebrates Asterias rubens
Invertebrates Carcinus maenas
Invertebrates Clavelina lepadiformis
Invertebrates Halichondria panicea
Invertebrates Metridium senile
Invertebrates Nemertesia antennina
Invertebrates Nemertesia ramosa
Invertebrates Ophiothrix fragilis
Invertebrates Plumularia setacea
Invertebrates Sagartia elegans
Species scientific name English common name Species group
Asterias rubens Invertebrates
Carcinus maenas Invertebrates
Clavelina lepadiformis Invertebrates
Halichondria panicea Invertebrates
Metridium senile Invertebrates
Nemertesia antennina Invertebrates
Nemertesia ramosa Invertebrates
Ophiothrix fragilis Invertebrates
Plumularia setacea Invertebrates
Sagartia elegans Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type
Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 CR.MCR.CFaVS.CuSpH.VS Cushion sponges and hydroids on turbid tide-swept variable salinity sheltered circalittoral rock source
CORINE Land Cover 5.2.3. Sea and ocean n/a
For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 A4.2512 Cushion sponges and hydroids on turbid tide-swept variable salinity sheltered circalittoral rock same
European Environment Agency (EEA)
Kongens Nytorv 6
1050 Copenhagen K
Denmark
Phone: +45 3336 7100