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Marine Habitat Classification


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.

Distribution of habitat LR.FLR.CvOv.RpurPlac <I>Rhodochorton purpureum</I> and <I>Pleurocladia lacustris</I> crusts on upper and mid-shore cave walls and ceilings

  • 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

Photos

LR.FLR.CVOV.RpurPlac Rhodochorton purpureum and Pleurocladia lacustris crusts on upper and mid-shore cave walls and ceilings, Unspecified location. M D Guiry© M D Guiry
LR.FLR.CVOV.RpurPlac Rhodochorton purpureum and Pleurocladia lacustris crusts on upper and mid-shore cave walls and ceilings, Unspecified location. M D Guiry© M D Guiry

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