Brittlestars on faunal and algal encrusted exposed to moderately wave-exposed circalittoral rock
Description (English)
This variant is typically found on the upper faces of exposed and moderately wave-exposed circalittoral bedrock, boulders and cobbles subject to moderately strong to weak tidal streams. It is characterised by high densities of brittlestars (predominantly Ophiothrix fragilis, Ophiocomina nigra and Ophiura albida). In fact, they may form such dense beds that the seabed underneath may not be visible. The rocky substratum is usually colonised by species such as encrusting red algae and the white, calcareous tubes of the polychaete Pomatoceros triqueter. Only robust hydroids such as Abietinaria abietina, Alcyonium digitatum and bryozoan crusts such as Parasmittina trispinosa are able to tolerate the significant smothering effect from the dense mat of brittlestars. Other species typically seen include Echinus esculentus, Asterias rubens, Pagurus bernhardus, Anapagurus hyndmanni, Gibbula cineraria, Urticina felina, Pododesmus patelliformis and Ciona intestinalis.
Situation: Shallower than the A4.2144 variant, kelp park and forest may be found with species such as Laminaria saccharina and Laminaria hyperborea.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code A4.2144 |
---|---|
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
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Laminaria hyperborea | Algae | |
Laminaria saccharina | Algae | |
Abietinaria abietina | Invertebrates | |
Alcyonium digitatum | Invertebrates | |
Asterias rubens | Invertebrates | |
Ciona intestinalis | Invertebrates | |
Echinus esculentus | Invertebrates | |
Ophiocomina nigra | Invertebrates | |
Ophiothrix fragilis | Invertebrates | |
Ophiura albida | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr.Bri | Brittlestars on faunal and algal encrusted exposed to moderately wave-exposed 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 | A4.2144 | Brittlestars on faunal and algal encrusted exposed to moderately wave-exposed circalittoral rock | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.651 | Ophiothrix fragilis and/or Ophiocomina nigra beds on slightly tide-swept circalittoral rock or mixed substrata | wider |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.651 | Ophiothrix fragilis and/or Ophiocomina nigra beds on slightly tide-swept circalittoral rock or mixed substrata | overlap |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.651 | Ophiothrix fragilis and/or Ophiocomina nigra beds on slightly tide-swept circalittoral rock or mixed substrata | overlap |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | MCR.Bri.Oph | Ophiothrix fragilis and/or Ophiocomina nigra beds on slightly tide-swept circalittoral rock or mixed substrata | overlap |