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Marine Habitat Classification


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1 result for 'LR.FLR.Rkp.Cor.Cys'

   LR.FLR.Rkp.Cor.Cys  Cystoseira spp. in eulittoral rockpools

Eulittoral rockpools on exposed to moderately exposed south-western shores dominated by the brown alga Cystoseira spp. (including Cystoseira tamariscifolia), coralline crusts and Corallina officinalis. These pools generally support dense red algal growth comprising: Ceramium spp., Calliblepharis jubata, Chondrus crispus, Osmundea pinnatifida and Gelidium spinosum. Wracks such as Himanthalia elongata and the epiphytic brown seaweed Colpomenia peregrina are present while the kelp Laminaria digitata can occupy the deeper parts of the pool. The green seaweeds Ulva intestinalis and Ulva lactuca are usually present as well. The pools usually contain some sand and pebbles at the base of the pool while spirorbid polychaetes and Spirobranchus spp. build their tubes on any small boulders present. In addition, these pools can support high numbers of grazing gastropods including the top shells Steromphala cineraria and Steromphala umbilicalis but also the limpet Patella vulgata, while sponges such Hymeniacidon perlevis and Halichondria panicea can be found overgrowing the small boulders or on and around the seaweeds. The shanny Lipophrus pholis is present hiding underneath boulder and cobbles, while the anemone Actinia equina is found in cracks and crevices. number of available records and care should be taken not to interpret this solely as a very high species richness.
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