MC1-23 - Communautés à brachiopodes et ascidies sur roche du circalittoral en Atlantique

Brachiopod and ascidian communities on Atlantic circalittoral rock

Classification des habitats EUNIS 2022

Descriptif de l'habitat

This habitat type occurs on the wave-sheltered, circalittoral bedrock and boulders subject to weak tidal streams. The biotopes within this complex are typically found in the Scottish sealochs (with the exception of MC1-232, recorded off Ireland) and are characterised by brachipod and ascidian communities. Ascidians often recorded in this complex are Ciona intestinalis, Ascidia mentula, Ascidia virginea and Clavelina lepadiformis. The brachiopod Neocrania anomala is also characteristic of the biotopes within this complex recorded in Scottish sealochs. The polychaete Pomatoceros triqueter, the saddle oyster Pododesmus patelliformis, the cup coral Caryophyllia smithii and encrusting red algae are frequently recorded on the rocky substrata. Echinoderms such as the brittlestars Ophiothrix fraglis, Ophiocomina nigra and Ophiura albida, the starfish Asterias rubens, Crossaster papposus and Henricia oculata, the crinoid Antedon bifida and the urchin Echinus esculentus are all found in this complex. Other species present include the squat lobster Munida rugosa, the hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus, Alcyonium digitatum, the anemone Protanthea simplex and the hydroid Kirchenpaueria pinnata.

Bibliographie

European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity 2022. EUNIS marine habitat classification 2022 including crosswalks. Table Excel. (Source)