You are here:
Eionet
Data Dictionary
Vocabulary

Concept: Cushion sponges, hydroids and ascidians on turbid tide-swept sheltered circalittoral rock in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A4.2511
Preferred label Cushion sponges, hydroids and ascidians on turbid tide-swept sheltered circalittoral rock
Definition This sub-biotope typically occurs in a mixture of turbid, full and variable salinity water, on wave-sheltered and moderately exposed bedrock or boulders. Tidal streams are typically moderately strong but may vary considerably. This sub-biotope occurs in relatively shallow water (typically 5m to 11m water depth) and is dominated by cushion sponges, hydroids and ascidians. On the silty, rocky substrata, large growths of sponge are usually associated with this biotope ([Suberites ficus], [Hymeniacidon perleve], [Cliona celata], [Halichondria panicea], [Raspailia ramosa]). The tasselled form of [Esperiopsis fucorum] is also notably present. Other epifauna present includes silty hydroids such as [Nemertesia antennina], [Nemertesia ramosa], [Plumularia setacea], [Hydrallmania falcata] and [Halecium halecinum]. Individual colonies of dead mans fingers [Alcyonium digitatum] and plumose anemones [Metridium senile] may be seen attached to the tops of boulders and ridges. At some sites, whole sides of rocks may be colonised by the anemones [Sagartia elegans], [Sagartia troglodytes] and [Actinothoe sphyrodeta]. Within crevices in the rocky substratum and at the base of boulders [Urticina felina] and [Cereus pedunculatus] may be found. Ascidians such as [Clavelina lepadiformis], [Morchellium argus], [Dendrodoa grossularia], [Diplosoma listerianum] and [Distomus variolosus] may all be observed. Other ubiquitous species which may be recorded include [Polydora], terebellid worms, [Balanus crenatus], [Alcyonidium diaphanum] and [Asterias rubens].
Notation A4.2511
Status Valid
Status Modified 2014-01-31
Accepted Date 2014-01-31
Not Accepted Date
Has broader
Has exact match