Cushion sponges, hydroids and ascidians on turbid tide-swept sheltered circalittoral rock
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code A4.2511 |
---|---|
Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A4) |
Description (English)
This sub-biotope typically occurs in a mixture of turbid, full and variable salinity water, on wave-sheltered and moderately exposed bedrock or boulders. Tidal streams are typically moderately strong but may vary considerably. This sub-biotope occurs in relatively shallow water (typically 5m to 11m water depth) and is dominated by cushion sponges, hydroids and ascidians. On the silty, rocky substrata, large growths of sponge are usually associated with this biotope (Suberites ficus, Hymeniacidon perleve, Cliona celata, Halichondria panicea, Raspailia ramosa). The tasselled form of Esperiopsis fucorum is also notably present. Other epifauna present includes silty hydroids such as Nemertesia antennina, Nemertesia ramosa, Plumularia setacea, Hydrallmania falcata and Halecium halecinum. Individual colonies of dead mans fingers Alcyonium digitatum and plumose anemones Metridium senile may be seen attached to the tops of boulders and ridges. At some sites, whole sides of rocks may be colonised by the anemones Sagartia elegans, Sagartia troglodytes and Actinothoe sphyrodeta. Within crevices in the rocky substratum and at the base of boulders Urticina felina and Cereus pedunculatus may be found. Ascidians such as Clavelina lepadiformis, Morchellium argus, Dendrodoa grossularia, Diplosoma listerianum and Distomus variolosus may all be observed. Other ubiquitous species which may be recorded include Polydora, terebellid worms, Balanus crenatus, Alcyonidium diaphanum and Asterias rubens.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Actinothoe sphyrodeta | Invertebrates | |
Alcyonidium diaphanum | Invertebrates | |
Alcyonium digitatum | Invertebrates | |
Asterias rubens | Invertebrates | |
Balanus crenatus | Invertebrates | |
Cereus pedunculatus | Invertebrates | |
Clavelina lepadiformis | Invertebrates | |
Cliona celata | Invertebrates | |
Dendrodoa grossularia | Invertebrates | |
Diplosoma listerianum | Invertebrates | |
Distomus variolosus | Invertebrates | |
Esperiopsis fucorum | Invertebrates | |
Halichondria panicea | Invertebrates | |
Hydrallmania falcata | Invertebrates | |
Metridium senile | Invertebrates | |
Nemertesia antennina | Invertebrates | |
Nemertesia ramosa | Invertebrates | |
Plumularia setacea | Invertebrates | |
Raspailia ramosa | Invertebrates | |
Sagartia elegans | Invertebrates | |
Sagartia troglodytes | Invertebrates | |
Suberites ficus | Invertebrates | |
Urticina felina | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | CR.MCR.CFaVS.CuSpH.As | Cushion sponges, hydroids and ascidians on turbid tide-swept sheltered circalittoral rock | source |
CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.3. | Sea and ocean | n/a |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A4.2511 | Cushion sponges, hydroids and ascidians on turbid tide-swept sheltered circalittoral rock | same |