Circalittoral faunal communities in variable salinity
Description (English)
This habitat type occurs on wave-sheltered, variable salinity bedrock and cobbles, subject to moderately strong to weak tidal streams. This complex contains a suite of sponges able to tolerate the variable salinity conditions like Hymeniacidon perleve, Suberites ficus, Halichondria panicea, Halichondria bowerbanki, Cliona celata and Leucosolenia botryoides. The barnacle Balanus crenatus is frequently recorded in this complex. A sparse hydroid/bryozoan turf composed primarily of Nemertesia antennina, Nemerteis ramosa, Plumularia setacea, Alcyonidium diaphanum and Bugula plumosa is often recorded. Other species recorded are the ascidians Clavelina lepadiformis, Morchellium argus and Dendrodoa grossularia, the anemones Metridium senile and Sagartia troglodytes, the starfish Asterias rubens and the crab Carcinus maenas.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code A4.25 |
|---|---|
| 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
Asterias rubens
Invertebrates
Carcinus maenas
Invertebrates
Clavelina lepadiformis
Invertebrates
Cliona celata
Invertebrates
Dendrodoa grossularia
Invertebrates
Halichondria panicea
Invertebrates
Metridium senile
Invertebrates
Nemertesia antennina
Invertebrates
Plumularia setacea
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Asterias rubens | Invertebrates | |
| Carcinus maenas | Invertebrates | |
| Clavelina lepadiformis | Invertebrates | |
| Cliona celata | Invertebrates | |
| Dendrodoa grossularia | Invertebrates | |
| Halichondria panicea | Invertebrates | |
| Metridium senile | Invertebrates | |
| Nemertesia antennina | Invertebrates | |
| Plumularia setacea | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | CR.MCR.CFaVS | Circalittoral faunal communities in variable salinity | source |
| CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.3. | Sea and ocean | n/a |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A4.25 | Circalittoral faunal communities in variable salinity | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.53 | Barnacle, cushion sponge and Tubularia communities on very tide-swept circalittoral rock | wider |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.53 | Barnacle, cushion sponge and Tubularia communities on very tide-swept circalittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.53 | Barnacle, cushion sponge and Tubularia communities on very tide-swept circalittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A3.53 | Barnacle and cushion sponge communities on very tide-swept circalittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | A5.13 | Barnacle and cushion sponge communities on very tide-swept circalittoral rock | same |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | ECR.BS | Barnacle, cushion sponge and Tubularia communities (very tide-swept/wave-sheltered) | same |
| MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland) | ECR.BCuS | same |
