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Concept: Sponge communities on deep circalittoral rock in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A4.12
Preferred label Sponge communities on deep circalittoral rock
Definition This habitat type typically occurs on deep (commonly below 30m depth), wave-exposed circalittoral rock subject to negligible tidal streams. The sponge component of this biotope is the most striking feature, with similar species to the bryozoan and erect sponge habitat type (A4.131) although in this case, the sponges [Phakellia ventilabrum], [Axinella infundibuliformis], [Axinella dissimilis] and [Stelligera stuposa] dominate. Other sponge species frequently found on exposed rocky coasts are also present in low to moderate abundance. These include [Cliona celata], [Polymastia boletiformis], [Haliclona viscosa], [Pachymatisma johnstonia], [Dysidea fragilis], [Suberites carnosus], [Stelligera rigida], [Hemimycale columella] and [Tethya aurantium]. The cup coral [Caryophyllia smithii] and the anemone [Corynactis virdis] may be locally abundant in some areas, along with the holothurian [Holothuria forskali]. The soft corals [Alcyonium digitatum] and [Alcyonium glomeratum] are frequently observed. The bryozoans [Pentapora foliacea] and [Porella compressa] are also more frequently found in this deep-water habitat type. Bryozoan crusts such as [Parasmittina trispinosa] are also occasionally recorded. Isolated clumps of large hydroids such as [Nemertesia antennina], [Nemertesia ramosa] and [Sertularella gayi] may be seen on the tops of boulders and rocky outcrops. Large echinoderms such as [Echinus esculentus], [Luidia ciliaris], [Marthasterias glacialis], [Strichastrella rosea], [Henricia oculata] and [Aslia lefevrei] may also be present. The sea fan [Eunicella verucosa] may be locally common but to a lesser extent than in A4.1311. The top shell [Calliostoma zizyphinum] is often recorded as present.
Notation A4.12
Status Valid
Status Modified 2014-01-31
Accepted Date 2014-01-31
Not Accepted Date
Has broader
Has narrower
Has exact match