Description of biotope or habitat type
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Ascidiella aspersa on circalittoral artificial substrata
Physical habitat description
Salinity | Full (30-35 ppt), Variable (18-35 ppt) |
---|---|
Wave exposure | Sheltered, Very sheltered, Extremely sheltered |
Tidal streams | Moderately strong (1-3 kn), Very weak (negligible) |
Substratum | Artificial, other |
Zone | Circalittoral |
Depth Band | 5-10 m, 10-20 m, 20-30 m |
Other Features |
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
Sheltered artificial substrata (such as discarded fishing nets or scrap metal on muddy sediment plains), sometimes subject to variable salinity, with high numbers of the ascidian Ascidiella aspersa which is capable of rapidly colonising hard substrata. Other species that are quickly able to take advantage of such substrata include the dahlia anemone Urticina felina and the plumose anemone Metridium senile. The edible crab Cancer pagurus, the velvet swimming crab Necora puber and the shore crab Carcinus maenas may occasionally be found hiding under the discarded nets, lobster pots or anchor chains.
Situation
As a fouling community, this biotope may be found throughout the circalittoral zone in coastal waters. It may be more prevalent around harbours, moorings, and fishing grounds where suitable substratum is available. In situations where wave exposure or tidal stream increase, biotopes dominated by bryozoans and/or robust hydroids (EcCr) may arise.
Temporal variation
A gradual development of more long-lived species is expected, where the artificial substrata are of a more permanent nature (e.g. wooden or concrete pier pilings).
Characterising species
Taxon | Relative importance of taxon for defining this community (%) | Typical abundance - SACFOR scale | % of core records where taxon was recorded |
---|---|---|---|
Ascidiella aspersa | 58 | Frequent | 81-100% |
Metridium senile | 19 | Occasional | 61-80% |
Necora puber | 6 | Occasional | 41-60% |
Carcinus maenas | 3 | Occasional | 41-60% |
Cancer pagurus | 2 | Rare | 41-60% |
Urticina felina | 2 | Rare | 41-60% |
Similar biotopes or habitat types
SS.SMx.IMx.Ost
Can have similar epifaunal communities.