Description of biotope or habitat type
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Urchin dominated community on Atlantic upper abyssal mud
Physical habitat description
| Salinity | Full (30-35 ppt) |
|---|---|
| Wave exposure | |
| Tidal streams | |
| Substratum | Mud |
| Zone | Atlantic upper abyssal |
| Depth Band | 2300 - 3000 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 contains biotopes that are dominated by urchins and occurs on sediment. The species of urchin and associated species varies with depth and substrate type. On Atlantic upper abyssal mud only Gracilechinus alexandri, Psilaster and Plinthastera assemblages have been recorded to date. Associated taxa include seastars, burrowing crustaceans and holothurians.
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.Mu.UrcCom
The same epifaunal broad community occuring in the mid bathyal. The species of urchin will differ - Gracilechinus acutus replaces Gracilechinus alexandri. Associated infauna are likely to differ.
M.AtLB.Mu.UrcCom
The same epifaunal broad community occuring in the lower bathyal. The species of urchin may differ - both Gracilechinus alexandri and Gracilechinus acutus are found in the lower bathyal. Associated infauna are likely to differ.
M.AtUB.Sa.UrcCom
The same epifaunal broad community occuring in the upper bathyal on sand. The species of urchin will differ - cidarid urchins and Gracilechinus acutus can be found on sand. Associated infauna are likely to differ.
M.AtMB.Sa.UrcCom
The same epifaunal broad community occuring in the mid bathyal on sand. The species of urchin will differ - cidarid urchins and Gracilechinus acutus can be found on sand. Associated infauna are likely to differ.
M.AtLB.Sa.UrcCom
The same epifaunal broad community occuring in the lower bathyal on sand. The species of urchin will differ - Gracilechinus acutus can be found on lower bathyal sand. Associated infauna are likely to differ.
M.AtUB.Co.UrcCom
The same epifaunal broad community occuring in the upper bathyal on coarse sediment. The species of urchin will differ - cidarid urchins can be found on coarse sediment. Associated infauna are likely to differ.