Description of biotope or habitat type
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Rhodochorton purpureum and Pleurocladia lacustris crusts on upper and mid-shore cave walls and ceilings
Physical habitat description
| Salinity | Full (30-35 ppt) |
|---|---|
| Wave exposure | Moderately exposed |
| Tidal streams | |
| Substratum | Bedrock |
| Zone | Littoral fringe - upper |
| Depth Band | |
| Other Features | Moist, dark caves |
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
Golden brown velvety growths of the brown algae Pleurocladia lacustris occurring in mats with the red alga Rhodochorton purpureum forming on cave walls and upper littoral levels of cliffs. Fauna is sparse and limited to occasional individuals of the winkle Littorina saxatilis and spirorbid polychaetes. This assemblage is thought to be is widespread throughout Britain, although there are currently few records available. More information are needed to validate this description, which is based on information from the Thanet intertidal survey (Tittley et al. 2004). Received after deadline: A. purpurea has changed name to Rhodochorton purpurea and P. maritima has changed name to Pleurocladia lacustris.
Situation
This biotope is found at the entrances and the inner reaches of caves between a band of AudCla and the GCv zone above.
Temporal variation
Some variation in the species composition of the individual caves must be expected depending on local conditions.
Characterising species
| Taxon | % of core records where taxon was recorded |
|---|---|
| Littorina saxatilis | |
| Pleurocladia lacustris | |
| Rhodochorton purpureum | |
| Spirorbinae |
Similar biotopes or habitat types
LR.FLR.CvOv.ChrHap
Occurs in chalk caves and on open vertical rock (chalk). Gelatinous orange and brown algae (non Phaeophyceae) including the Haptophyceae Apistonema spp., Pleurochrysis carterae, Epicladia perforans and the orange Chrysotila lamellosa, but other genera and species of Chrysophyceae, Haptophyceae and Prasinophyceae are likely to be involved.Classification history of this biotope or habitat type
| Classification version | Code | Habitat name |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 (15.03) | LR.FLR.CvOv.AudPil | Audouinella purpurea and Pilinia maritima crusts on upper and mid-shore cave walls and ceilings |
