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Concept: Dense brittlestars with sparse [Ascidia mentula] and [Ciona intestinalis] on sheltered circalittoral mixed substrata in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A4.3112
Preferred label Dense brittlestars with sparse [Ascidia mentula] and [Ciona intestinalis] on sheltered circalittoral mixed substrata
Definition This biotope is typically found on wave-sheltered sites (although it may be found in wave-exposed through to extremely wave-sheltered conditions), on circalittoral mixed substrata (Bedrock, boulders, cobbles, pebbles and gravel), subject to moderately strong to weak tidal streams. This biotope often has a silty appearance in parallel with AmenCio.Ant but is characterised by a dense carpet of brittlestars ([Ophiothrix fragilis], [Ophiocomina nigra] and to a lesser extent [Ophiura albida]) which virtually cover the seabed. Where the underlying substratum is visible, pink coralline crusts and the white calcareous tubes of the keelworm [Pomatoceros triqueter] are often observed. Hydroids and bryozoans are scarce, perhaps partly due to the smothering effect of the brittlestars and possibly due to the grazing pressure of the sea urchin [Echinus esculentus] which is occasionally recorded. Other echinoderms present include [Asterias rubens] and [Crossaster papposus]. The solitary ascidian [Ciona intestinalis] may be seen attached to isolated rocks and boulders, whilst on the tops and sides of larger boulders, dead man's fingers [Alcyonium digitatum] may be recorded. The hermit crab [Pagurus bernhardus] is often recorded, whilst under boulders and in crevices the claws belonging to the long-clawed squat lobster [Munida rugosa] may be seen. Situation: AmenCio.Bri is found in predominantly sheltered areas, so in the infralittoral zone above, kelp forest formed by dense [Laminaria saccharina] and cape-form [Laminaria hyperborea] are frequently recorded. A dense understorey of red algae is also present.
Notation A4.3112
Status Valid
Status Modified 2014-01-31
Accepted Date 2014-01-31
Not Accepted Date
Has broader
Has exact match