Description of biotope or habitat type
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Atlantic upper bathyal live Lophelia pertusa reef (biogenic structure)
Physical habitat description
| Salinity | Full (30-35 ppt) |
|---|---|
| Wave exposure | |
| Tidal streams | |
| Substratum | Biogenic substrate |
| Zone | Atlantic upper bathyal |
| Depth Band | Biotope depth range 200 - 600 m (based on zone); assemblage recorded from 191 - 229 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
Scleractinian coral reefs formed predominantly by Lophelia pertusa in the upper bathyal zone. Lophelia attaches to any hard substrate present and then grows outwards forming a hard reef structure. Lophelia 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 Lophelia. Further research is required to identify associated species on Lophelia reef that distinguish between reefs occuring in different vertical zones. Lophelia reef can be found in a mosaic with all substrate types.
Note: Although Lophelia pertusa (Linnaeus, 1758) is accepted as Desmophyllum pertusum (Linnaeus, 1758) in WoRMS, the molecular evidence is uncertain at present (2021) to grant a change in its taxonomic nomenclature. This will be revised once further evidence becomes available.
Situation
No situation data available.
Temporal variation
No temporal variation data available.
Characterising species
| Taxon | % of core records where taxon was recorded |
|---|---|
| Lophelia pertusa | |
| Sabellidae | |
| Actiniaria | |
| Porifera encrusting (pale - yellow) | |
| Ascidiacea | |
| Munida | |
| Echinus |
Similar biotopes or habitat types
M.AtLB.Bi.CorRee.SolVar
Coral reef occurring in the lower bathyal where the reef building species is Solenosmilia variabilis. Associated species differ.
M.AtUB.Co.MixCor.DisLop
Discrete Lophelia aggregations on coarse sediment. Often found surrounding areas of reef.
M.AtMB.Co.MixCor.DisLop
Discrete Lophelia aggregations on coarse sediment in the mid bathyal.
M.AtUB.Ro.MixCor.DisLop
Discrete Lophelia aggregations on rock. Often found surrounding areas of reef.
M.AtMB.Ro.MixCor.DisLop
Discrete Lophelia aggregations on rock in the mid bathyal.
M.AtUB.Bi.CorRee.LopFra
Dead Lophelia framework with associated corals. Often found surrounding areas of reef.
M.AtMB.Bi.CorRee.LopFra
Dead Lophelia framework with associated corals in the mid bathyal.
