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Concept: [Chthamalus montagui] and [Chthamalus stellatus] on exposed upper eulittoral rock in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A1.1121
Preferred label [Chthamalus montagui] and [Chthamalus stellatus] on exposed upper eulittoral rock
Definition Very exposed to moderately exposed upper and mid eulittoral bedrock and boulders characterised by a dense community of barnacles, including [Chthamalus montagui], [Chthamalus stellatus] and [Semibalanus balanoides], and the limpet [Patella vulgata]. Damp cracks and crevices in the rock provide a refuge for small individuals of the mussel [Mytilus edulis], and the winkles [Melarhaphe neritoides] and [Littorina saxatilis]. These crevices can also be occupied by encrusting coralline algae and the anemone [Actinia equina]. Patches of the black lichen [Verrucaria maura] and the green seaweed [Enteromorpha intestinalis] may be present, though in low abundance (Occasional). Shaded vertical littoral fringe and upper eulittoral bedrock may be characterised by the shade-tolerant red seaweeds [Catenella caespitosa], [Bostrychia scorpioides] and/or [Lomentaria articulata]. Where the turf of [C. caespitosa] is well established, barnacles are rare. Geographical variation: There is much regional variation in the distribution and zonation of [Chthamalus] spp. On the west coast [Chthamalus] spp. dominate the upper eulittoral, often forming a distinct white band above a darker band of [S. balanoides] in the mid eulittoral zone (Sem). [C. montagui] is better adapted to resist desiccation and, therefore, extends further up the shore. In the south-west [Chthamalus] spp. can be the dominant barnacles throughout the eulittoral zone. Situation: Cht.Cht is found below the black lichen [Verrucaria maura] (Ver.B or Ver.Ver) on very exposed shores. It is found above the mussel [Mytilus edulis] and barnacles biotope (MytB). On slightly less exposed shores the wrack [Fucus vesiculosus] is able to survive and a mixed barnacle and [F. vesiculosus] biotope may occur (Sem.FvesR) beneath the Cht. On such moderately exposed shores Cht may still occur on steep and vertical faces, while fucoids dominate the flatter areas (Sem.FvesR or Fves), though these communities should not be confused with Sem.FvesR. Cht can also occur above Sem. On very sheltered sea lochs in Argyll, West Scotland [Chthamalus] spp. are unusually abundant in the upper eulittoral zone.
Notation A1.1121
Status Valid
Status Modified 31.01.2014
Accepted Date 31.01.2014
Not Accepted Date
Has broader
Has exact match