Description of biotope or habitat type
To understand more about what this page is describing, see How to use the classification. See also How to cite.
Surface dwelling ophiuroid community on Atlantic lower bathyal mixed sediment
Physical habitat description
| Salinity | Full (30-35 ppt) |
|---|---|
| Wave exposure | |
| Tidal streams | |
| Substratum | Mixed sediment |
| Zone | Atlantic lower bathyal |
| Depth Band | 1300 - 2100 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 consisting of assemblages characterised by brittle stars (ophiuroids) which lie on the surface of the seabed. They can occur in isolation or be overlain onto other broad communities such as 'sparse encrusting fauna' and 'mixed cold water coral'. It may be necessary to assign this broad community and 'child' biotopes in conjunction with another type. Brittle star beds comprised of Ophiomusium lymani have been recorded on Atlantic lower bathyal mixed 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.AtMB.Sa.SurOph
The same epifaunal broad community occuring in the mid bathyal on sand. The brittle star species may differ and so will associated infauna.