Fucus serratus and under-boulder fauna on exposed to moderately exposed lower eulittoral boulders
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code A1.2142 |
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Description (English)
Exposed to moderalety exposed lower eulittoral boulders with the wrack Fucus serratus community of a high species richness as the presence of the boulders increases the micro-habitat diversity. The upper surfaces of the boulders are colonised by a very similar fauna to the other F. serratus biotopes, including species such as the limpet Patella vulgata, the whelk Nucella lapillus, the anemone Actinia equina and the barnacle Semibalanus balanoides. The shaded sides of the boulders are, depending on environmental conditions, often colonised by a variety of foliose red seaweeds, including Mastocarpus stellatus, Lomentaria articulata, Osmundea pinnatifida, Palmaria palmata and Chondrus crispus. Coralline algae such as Corallina officinalis and coraline crusts, as well as the green seaweeds Enteromorpha intestinalis and Ulva lactuca, can be found underneath the F. serratus canopy or in patches on the boulders. The species composition underneath the boulders varies considerably depending on the underlying substratum. On muddy shores the fauna living under the boulders may be limited to a few infaunal species, such as the polychaete Cirratulus cirratus. Where more space is available beneath the boulders there may be a rich assemblage of animals. Characteristic mobile species include the crabs Porcellana platycheles and Carcinus maenas. Also present on and beneath the boulders are the tube-forming polychaete Pomatoceros triqueter, spirorbid polychaetes and a few winkles such as Littorina obtusata/mariae and Littorina littorea or even the top shell Gibbula cineraria. Encrusting colonies of the sponge Halichondria panicea are also typical of the undersides of boulders, while the hydroid Dynamena pumila colonies can be found on the F. serratus fronds. The richest examples of this biotope also contain a variety of brittlestars, ascidians and small hydroids.
Situation: This biotope usually occurs immediately below a Fucus vesiculosus-barnacle mosaic (unit A1.213) on moderately exposed shores or a dense canopy of F. vesiculosus (A1.313) or Ascophyllum nodosum (A1.3141) on sheltered shores. The sublittoral fringe below on moderately exposed shores is dominated by the kelp Laminaria digitata (A3.211; A3.2112), while the kelp Laminaria saccharina may co-dominate on sheltered shores (A3.3131;A3.3121). Low abundance of these kelp may also occur in this biotope.
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 |
---|---|---|
Corallina officinalis | Algae | |
Enteromorpha intestinalis | Algae | |
Fucus serratus | Algae | |
Fucus vesiculosus | Algae | |
Laminaria saccharina | Algae | |
Ulva lactuca | Algae | |
Actinia equina | Invertebrates | |
Carcinus maenas | Invertebrates | |
Halichondria panicea | Invertebrates | |
Nucella lapillus | Dog whelk | Invertebrates |
Patella vulgata | Invertebrates | |
Porcellana platycheles | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | LR.MLR.BF.Fser.Bo | <I>Fucus serratus</I> and under-boulder fauna on exposed to moderately exposed lower eulittoral boulders | source |
CORINE Land Cover | 4.2.3. | Intertidal flats | n/a |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A1.2142 | Fucus serratus and under-boulder fauna on exposed to moderately exposed lower eulittoral boulders | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A1.22321 | Fucus serratus and under-boulder fauna on lower eulittoral boulders | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A1.22321 | Fucus serratus and under-boulder fauna on lower eulittoral boulders | same |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A1.21321 | Fucus serratus and under-boulder fauna on lower eulittoral boulders | same |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | MLR.BF.Fser.Fser.Bo | Fucus serratus and under-boulder fauna on lower eulittoral boulders | same |