Biodiversity & Conservation

Molgula manhattensis and Polycarpa spp. with erect sponges on tide-swept moderately exposed circalittoral rock

CR.HCR.XFa.Mol

MCR.MolPol

Image Keith Hiscock - Molgula manhattensis dominated seabed, middle channel with associated common starfish Asterias rubens. Image width ca 50 cm.
Image copyright information

Distribution map

CR.HCR.XFa.Mol recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

  • EC_Habitats

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

Recorded in south-west England and west Wales and off the coast of Kent in south-east England.

Habitat preferences

Temperature range preferences - Information unclear.

Water clarity preferences - Medium clarity / Medium turbidity
Low clarity / High turbidity
Poor clarity / Extreme turbidity

Limiting Nutrients - No information found

Other preferences -

Additional information

The biotope is present on reef habitats and usually found on upward facing rock in the circalittoral. Whilst the biotope appears to be predominantly found in south-west Britain, that may be a result of the preference of the biotopes for harbours. There is nothing in the biology of component species to suggest that they are restricted to warmer waters in Britain and Ireland.

This review can be cited as follows:

Hiscock, K. 2002. Molgula manhattensis and Polycarpa spp. with erect sponges on tide-swept moderately exposed circalittoral rock. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 19/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/habitatpreferences.php?habitatid=305&code=2004>