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Concept: Brittlestars on faunal and algal encrusted exposed to moderately wave-exposed circalittoral rock in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A4.2144
Preferred label Brittlestars on faunal and algal encrusted exposed to moderately wave-exposed circalittoral rock
Definition 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 FaAlCr.Bri variant, kelp park and forest may be found with species such as [Laminaria saccharina] and [Laminaria hyperborea].
Notation A4.2144
Status Valid
Status Modified 2014-01-31
Accepted Date 2014-01-31
Not Accepted Date
Has broader
Has exact match