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Marine Habitat Classification


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.

Distribution of habitat M.AtLB.Bi.CorRee.SolVar Atlantic lower bathyal live <i>Solenosmilia variabilis</i> reef (biogenic structure)

  • 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.

M.AtLB.Bi.CorRee.SolFra
Dead Solenosmilia framework with associated corals. Often found surrounding areas of reef.

Photos

M.AtLB.Bi.CorRee.SolVar Atlantic lower bathyal live Solenosmilia variabilis reef (biogenic structure), Anton Dohrn seamount. ANON© JNCC/University of Plymouth
M.AtLB.Bi.CorRee.SolVar Atlantic lower bathyal live Solenosmilia variabilis reef (biogenic structure), Anton Dohrn seamount. ANON© JNCC/University of Plymouth

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