Description of biotope or habitat type
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Solitary scleractinian field on Atlantic upper bathyal coarse sediment
Physical habitat description
Salinity | Full (30-35 ppt) |
---|---|
Wave exposure | |
Tidal streams | |
Substratum | Coarse sediment |
Zone | Atlantic upper bathyal |
Depth Band | 200 - 600 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
This broad community is characterised by dense aggregations of solitary cup corals (Caryophylliidae and / or Flabellidae) on sediments including mud and sandy mud and coarse sediments. The species composition of the biotopes belonging to this broad community will vary with depth and location, and associated species will vary with sediment type. An assembage comprising Caryophyllia smithii with Actinauge richardi has been recorded on Atlantic upper bathyal coarse sediment.
Situation
No situation data available.
Temporal variation
No temporal variation data available.
Characterising species
Characterising species data not applicable.
Similar biotopes or habitat types
M.AtLB.Co.SolScl
The same epifaunal broad community occuring in the lower bathyal on coarse sediment. The solitary scleractinian species may differ and so will associated infauna.
M.AtLB.Mu.SolScl
The same epifaunal broad community occuring in the lower bathyal on mud. The solitary scleractinian species may differ and so will associated infauna.
M.AtLB.Sa.SolScl
The same epifaunal broad community occuring in the lower bathyal on sand. The solitary scleractinian species may differ and so will associated infauna.
M.AtMB.Co.SolScl
The same epifaunal broad community occuring in the mid bathyal on coarse sediment. The solitary scleractinian species may differ and so will associated infauna.
M.AtMB.Mu.SolScl
The same epifaunal broad community occuring in the mid bathyal on mud. The solitary scleractinian species may differ and so will associated infauna.
M.AtMB.Sa.SolScl
The same epifaunal broad community occuring in the mid bathyal on sand. The solitary scleractinian species may differ and so will associated infauna.
M.AtUB.Mu.SolScl
The same epifaunal broad community occuring on mud. The solitary scleractinian species may differ and so will associated infauna.