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Concept: [Polyclinum aurantium] and [Flustra foliacea] on sand-scoured tide-swept moderately wave-exposed circalittoral rock in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A4.1341
Preferred label [Polyclinum aurantium] and [Flustra foliacea] on sand-scoured tide-swept moderately wave-exposed circalittoral rock
Definition This variant is typically found on the upper face of moderately exposed, moderately tide-swept, circalittoral bedrock or boulders. Sand and silt are periodically re-suspended in the water column, resulting in scour-tolerant species being characteristic of these areas. There is a dense covering of the scour-resistant bryozoan [Flustra foliacea] attached to the bedrock plains and boulders. The colonial ascidian [Polyclinum aurantium] commonly covers the rock surface at most locations within this biotope - itself incorporating sand grains into its surface to give it the appearance of sandy rock nodules. Other ascidians that may occur in this crust are the flat, encrusting colonial [Botrylloides leachi], [Botryllus schlosseri] and the colonial ascidian [Clavelina lepadiformis], although in varying quantities at each location. A short turf of other bryozoans such as [Alcyonidium diaphanum], [Bugula plumosa] and [Bugula flabellata] occur amongst the ascidians. Other species found in this biotope are the sponges [Cliona celata], [Leucosolenia botryoides] and [Scypha ciliata], the hydroids [Tubularia indivisa], [Nemertesia antennina], [Halecium halecinum] and the anthozoans [Alcyonium digitatum] and [Urticina felina]. Echinoderms which may be present include the starfish [Asterias rubens], [Crossaster papposus] and the brittlestar [Ophiothrix fragilis]. Crustaceans such as the crab [Cancer pagurus], the hermit crab [Pagurus bernhardus] and the lobster [Homarus gammarus] may be observed in crevices and under boulders. The palps of the polychaete [Polydora] spp. may be observed whilst the nudibranch [Janolus cristatus] may be seen preying on the hydroid/bryozoan turf. This variant is commonly found on the Northumberland coast, Flamborough Head and the Lleyn Peninsula. Situation: As FluCoAs.Paur tends to occur in waters with a sediment load, the resulting light penetration is reduced, meaning that kelp forests such as Lhyp, normally found shallower than FluCoAs.Paur in the infralittoral zone, are present over a narrower depth range.
Notation A4.1341
Status Valid
Status Modified 2014-01-31
Accepted Date 2014-01-31
Not Accepted Date
Has broader
Has exact match