Description of biotope or habitat type
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Circalittoral caves and overhangs
Physical habitat description
| Salinity | Full (30-35 ppt) |
|---|---|
| Wave exposure | Very exposed, Exposed, Moderately exposed, Sheltered |
| Tidal streams | Weak (>1 kn), Very weak (negligible) |
| Substratum | Bedrock |
| Zone | Circalittoral |
| Depth Band | 10-20 m, 20-30 m, 30-50 m |
| Other Features | Caves, overhanging rock |
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'
- Predicted extent of the level 3 (for sublittoral rock & deep sea) or 4 (for sublittoral sediment) habitat
Point data based on records in the UK Marine Recorder Snapshot. Predicted habitat extent is from UKSeaMap.
Description
Caves and overhanging rock in the circalittoral zone, away from significant influence of strong wave action (compare FIR.SG). This habitat may be colonised by a wide variety of species, with sponges such as Dercitus bucklandi, anemones Parazoanthus spp. and the cup corals Caryophyllia inornatus, Hoplangia durotrix and others particularly characteristic.
Situation
No situation data available.
Temporal variation
No temporal variation data available.
Characterising species
| Taxon | Typical abundance - SACFOR scale | % of core records where taxon was recorded |
|---|---|---|
| Alcyonium glomeratum | Rare | 41-60% |
| Balanophyllia regia | Common | 21-40% |
| Bryozoa indet crusts | Frequent | 41-60% |
| Caryophyllia smithii | Common | 61-80% |
| Clavelina lepadiformis | Occasional | 41-60% |
| Corynactis viridis | Frequent | 41-60% |
| Crisiidae | Common | 41-60% |
| Hoplangia durotrix | Rare | 21-40% |
| Leptopsammia pruvoti | Common | 21-40% |
| Porifera indet crusts | Occasional | 41-60% |
Similar biotopes or habitat types
Not applicable or unknown.