Description of biotope or habitat type
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Cystoseira spp. in eulittoral rockpools
Physical habitat description
| Salinity | Full (30-35 ppt) |
|---|---|
| Wave exposure | Very exposed, Exposed, Moderately exposed |
| Tidal streams | |
| Substratum | Bedrock |
| Zone | Eulittoral |
| Depth Band | |
| Other Features | Rockpool |
Download comparative physical and biological data. The comparative tables enable a rapid comparison of the species composition and principal physical characteristics between a given set of biotopes.
- Records used to define the biotope (core records)
- Other records assigned to this biotope, marked as 'certain'
- Other records assigned to this biotope, marked as 'uncertain'
Point data based on records in the UK Marine Recorder Snapshot.
Description
Eulittoral rockpools on exposed to moderately exposed south-western shores dominated by the brown alga Cystoseira spp. (including Cystoseira tamariscifolia), coralline crusts and Corallina officinalis. These pools generally support dense red algal growth comprising: Ceramium spp., Calliblepharis jubata, Chondrus crispus, Osmundea pinnatifida and Gelidium spinosum. Wracks such as Himanthalia elongata and the epiphytic brown seaweed Colpomenia peregrina are present while the kelp Laminaria digitata can occupy the deeper parts of the pool. The green seaweeds Ulva intestinalis and Ulva lactuca are usually present as well. The pools usually contain some sand and pebbles at the base of the pool while spirorbid polychaetes and Spirobranchus spp. build their tubes on any small boulders present. In addition, these pools can support high numbers of grazing gastropods including the top shells Steromphala cineraria and Steromphala umbilicalis but also the limpet Patella vulgata, while sponges such Hymeniacidon perlevis and Halichondria panicea can be found overgrowing the small boulders or on and around the seaweeds. The shanny Lipophrus pholis is present hiding underneath boulder and cobbles, while the anemone Actinia equina is found in cracks and crevices. number of available records and care should be taken not to interpret this solely as a very high species richness.
Situation
Rockpools throughout the eulittoral zone in bedrock on very exposed to moderately exposed south-western shores.
Temporal variation
Unknown.
Characterising species
| Taxon | Relative importance of taxon for defining this community (%) | Typical abundance - SACFOR scale | % of core records where taxon was recorded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cystoseira | 15 | Common | 81-100% |
| Corallinaceae | 10 | Common | 81-100% |
| Corallina officinalis | 9 | Abundant | 81-100% |
| Gelidium spinosum | 5 | Occasional | 81-100% |
| Ulva lactuca | 4 | Frequent | 41-60% |
| Calliblepharis jubata | 3 | Frequent | 61-80% |
| Ceramium | 3 | Frequent | 41-60% |
| Ulva intestinalis | 3 | Occasional | 61-80% |
| Hymeniacidon perlevis | 3 | Occasional | 61-80% |
| Laminaria digitata | 3 | Occasional | 61-80% |
| Patella vulgata | 3 | Frequent | 41-60% |
| Spirobranchus | 3 | Frequent | 41-60% |
| Chondrus crispus | 2 | Frequent | 41-60% |
| Colpomenia peregrina | 2 | Occasional | 41-60% |
| Steromphala cineraria | 2 | Occasional | 41-60% |
| Halichondria panicea | 2 | Occasional | 41-60% |
| Lipophrys pholis | 2 | Occasional | 41-60% |
| Spirorbinae | 2 | Occasional | 41-60% |
| Actinia equina | 1 | Occasional | 41-60% |
| Steromphala umbilicalis | 1 | Occasional | 41-60% |
| Himanthalia elongata | 1 | Rare | 41-60% |
| Osmundea pinnatifida | 1 | Rare | 41-60% |
Similar biotopes or habitat types
LR.FLR.Rkp.Cor.Cor
Occurs in similar physical conditions at a wide range of wave exposures. Winkles such as Littorina littorea and Littorina saxatilis can be present and the diversity of red seaweeds is lower. The brown seaweed B. bifurcata is absent.
LR.FLR.Rkp.Cor.Par
Occurs on extremely exposed and exposed shores. The diversity of red seaweeds is low due the grazing pressure of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, which dominates this biotope. The brown seaweed B. bifurcata is absent.
