You are here:
Eionet
Data Dictionary
Vocabulary

Concept: [Fucus serratus] and under-boulder fauna on exposed to moderately exposed lower eulittoral boulders in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A1.2142
Preferred label [Fucus serratus] and under-boulder fauna on exposed to moderately exposed lower eulittoral boulders
Definition Exposed to moderalety exposed lower eulittoral boulders with the wrack [Fucus serratus] community of a high species richness as the presence of the boulders increases the micro-habitat diversity. The upper surfaces of the boulders are colonised by a very similar fauna to the other [F. serratus] biotopes, including species such as the limpet [Patella vulgata], the whelk [Nucella lapillus], the anemone [Actinia equina] and the barnacle [Semibalanus balanoides]. The shaded sides of the boulders are, depending on environmental conditions, often colonised by a variety of foliose red seaweeds, including [Mastocarpus stellatus], [Lomentaria articulata], [Osmundea pinnatifida], [Palmaria palmata] and [Chondrus crispus]. Coralline algae such as [Corallina officinalis] and coraline crusts, as well as the green seaweeds [Enteromorpha intestinalis] and [Ulva lactuca], can be found underneath the [F. serratus] canopy or in patches on the boulders. The species composition underneath the boulders varies considerably depending on the underlying substratum. On muddy shores the fauna living under the boulders may be limited to a few infaunal species, such as the polychaete [Cirratulus cirratus]. Where more space is available beneath the boulders there may be a rich assemblage of animals. Characteristic mobile species include the crabs [Porcellana platycheles] and [Carcinus maenas]. Also present on and beneath the boulders are the tube-forming polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter], spirorbid polychaetes and a few winkles such as [Littorina obtusata/mariae] and [Littorina littorea] or even the top shell [Gibbula cineraria]. Encrusting colonies of the sponge [Halichondria panicea] are also typical of the undersides of boulders, while the hydroid [Dynamena pumila] colonies can be found on the [F. serratus] fronds. The richest examples of this biotope also contain a variety of brittlestars, ascidians and small hydroids. Situation: This biotope usually occurs immediately below a [Fucus vesiculosus]-barnacle mosaic (FvesB) on moderately exposed shores or a dense canopy of [F. vesiculosus] (Fves) or [Ascophyllum nodosum] (Asc.FS) on sheltered shores. The sublittoral fringe below on moderately exposed shores is dominated by the kelp [Laminaria digitata] (Ldig; Ldig.LdigBo), while the kelp [Laminaria saccharina] may co-dominate on sheltered shores (Lsac.Ldig; Lsac.Ft). Low abundance of these kelp may also occur in this biotope.
Notation A1.2142
Status Valid
Status Modified 2014-01-31
Accepted Date 2014-01-31
Not Accepted Date
Has broader
Has exact match