Description of biotope or habitat type
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Sparse encrusting community on Atlantic mid bathyal coarse sediment
Physical habitat description
Salinity | Full (30-35 ppt) |
---|---|
Wave exposure | |
Tidal streams | |
Substratum | Coarse sediment |
Zone | Atlantic mid bathyal |
Depth Band | 600 - 1300 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 includes all biotopes that are characterised by encrusting species including deep-sea sponges, serpulid worms, cup corals and Anoniimid bivalves. This community is widespread and occurs on coarse sediment and rock where erect coral species are absent. 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. In the Atlantic mid bathyal this community can be found associated with Lophelia coral rubble.
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.AtMB.Ro.SpaEnc
The same epifaunal broad community occuring on rock. The species composition will differ. Holuthurian Psolus squamatus is present on rock.
M.AtUB.Ro.SpaEnc
The same epifaunal broad community occuring in the upper bathyal on rock. The species composition will differ. Holuthurian Psolus squamatus is present on rock.
M.AtUB.Co.SpaEnc
The same epifaunal broad community occuring in the upper bathyal on coarse sediment. The species composition will differ. Holuthurian Psolus squamatus is absent on coarse sediment.