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Concept: [Caryophyllia smithii] and [Swiftia pallida] on circalittoral rock in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A4.211
Preferred label [Caryophyllia smithii] and [Swiftia pallida] on circalittoral rock
Definition This biotope is typically found on the upper and vertical faces of very exposed through to wave-sheltered circalittoral bedrock and boulders, which are typically subject to weak tidal streams. It is characterised by dense aggregations of the cup coral [Caryophyllia smithii] and the sea fan [Swiftia pallida] on the silty substratum. Under the silt, bryozoan crusts such as [Parasmittina trispinosa] and encrusting red algae may be seen. This biotope may have a grazed appearance, perhaps attributable to the frequently occurring [Echinus esculentus]. There may be a sparse hydroid turf present, with species such as [Nemertesia antennina], [Nemertesia ramosa] and [Halecium halecinum] present. The soft corals [Alcyonium glomeratum] and [Alcyonium digitatum] may be present on the tops of boulders along with the crinoids [Antedon petasus] and [Antedon bifida]. Other echinoderms occasionally observed include the starfish [Marthasterias glacialis], [Asterias rubens] and [Luidia ciliaris]. Sponges feature only occasionally in this biotope, including species such as [Cliona celata]. The bryozoan [Porella compressa] may also be recorded. Ascidians occasionally present include [Ascidia mentula], [Clavelina lepadiformis] and [Ciona intestinalis]. Under-boulder fauna typically consists of the crustacean [Munida rugosa]. The polychaete [Pomatoceros triqueter] may be seen encrusting the rocky surface. Two variants of this biotope have been identified; CarSwi.Aglo and CarSwi.LgAs. CarSwi.Aglo is a heavily silted biotope characterised by the sea fan [S. pallida], the cup coral [C. smithii] and the soft coral [A. glomeratum] and is only present in Irish waters. CarSwi.LgAs has been recorded off the west coast of Scotland, and is characterised by large solitary ascidians and the cup coral [C. smithii].
Notation A4.211
Status Valid
Status Modified 2014-01-31
Accepted Date 2014-01-31
Not Accepted Date
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