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Marine Habitat Classification


Description of biotope or habitat type

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   Leptometra celtica assemblage on Atlantic mid bathyal sand


Physical habitat description

Salinity Full (30-35 ppt)
Wave exposure
Tidal streams
Substratum Sand
Zone Atlantic mid bathyal
Depth Band Biotope depth range 600 - 1300 m (based on zone); assemblage recorded from 180 - 792 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.AtMB.Sa.CriCom.LepCel <i>Leptometra celtica</i> assemblage on Atlantic mid bathyal sand

  • 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 consists of dense aggregations of the crinoid Leptometra celtica on sand in the mid bathyal. It occurs at the shelf edge and in the heads of canyons. It is likely that the fast currents associated with the heads of canyon systems provide a favourable habitat for suspension feeding organisms such as crinoids. The same assemblage has been recorded in the upper bathyal on various substrate types but any associated species are likely to differ. Characterising species listed refer to all Leptometra celtica assemblages not just those found associated with the zone and substrate specified in this biotope.

Situation

No situation data available.

Temporal variation

No temporal variation data available.

Characterising species

Taxon % of core records where taxon was recorded
Leptometra celtica
Crinoidea
Munida

Similar biotopes or habitat types

M.AtUB.Co.CriCom.LepCel
The same epifaunal assemblage in the upper bathyal on coarse sediment. Associated infauna will differ.

M.AtUB.Sa.CriCom.LepCel
The same epifaunal assemblage in the upper bathyal. Associated infauna will differ.

M.AtMB.Co.CriCom.LepCel
The same epifaunal assemblage on coarse sediment. Associated infauna will differ.


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