Description of biotope or habitat type
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Atlantic lower bathyal live Solenosmilia variabilis reef (biogenic structure)
Physical habitat description
| Salinity | Full (30-35 ppt) |
|---|---|
| Wave exposure | |
| Tidal streams | |
| Substratum | Biogenic substrate |
| Zone | Atlantic lower bathyal |
| Depth Band | Biotope depth range 1300 - 2100 m (based on zone); assemblage recorded from 1198 - 1766 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 biotope is similar to Lophelia pertusa reef, but the dominant scleractinian species is Solenosmilia variabilis. It is generally found deeper than Lophelia pertusa reef in the lower bathyal zone (>1200m). Solenosmilia attaches to any hard substrate present and then grows outwards forming a hard reef structure. Solenosmilia reef is often associated with a range of coral species and a high diversity of other fauna. This biotope refers only to reef framework summits with live Solenosmilia. This biotope will generally be surrounded by dead Solenosmilia reef framework. Solenosmilia reef can be found in a mosaic with other substrate types.
Situation
No situation data available.
Temporal variation
No temporal variation data available.
Characterising species
| Taxon | % of core records where taxon was recorded |
|---|---|
| Actiniaria | |
| Munida | |
| Porifera massive lobose | |
| Porifera encrusting (pale - yellow, white, grey, cream, pink | |
| Solenosmilia variabilis | |
| Lamellate sponge | |
| Stichopathes gravieri | |
| Acanthogorgia armata | |
| Crinoidea | |
| Ascidiacea | |
| Ophiuroidea | |
| Porifera encrusting (blue) | |
| Caryophylliidae | |
| Hexadella dedritifera | |
| Psolus squamatus | |
| Pandalus | |
| Porifera encrusting (green) | |
| Echinus |
Similar biotopes or habitat types
M.AtUB.Bi.CorRee.LopPer
Coral reef occurring in the upper bathyal where the reef building species is Lophelia pertusa. Associated species differ.
M.AtLB.Co.MixCor.DisSol
Discrete Solenosmilia aggregations on coarse sediment. Often found surrounding areas of reef.
M.AtLB.Ro.MixCor.DisSol
Discrete Solenosmilia aggregations on rock. Often found surrounding areas of reef.
