Biodiversity & Conservation

Polydora sp. tubes on upward-facing circalittoral soft rock

CR.MCR.SfR.Pol

MCR.Pol

Image Keith Hiscock - Polydora sp. tubes on upward-facing circalittoral soft rock, with the sponge Suberites sp. also present. Image width ca 2 m.
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Distribution map

CR.MCR.SfR.Pol recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

  • EC_Habitats

Species indicative of sensitivity

To assess the sensitivity of the biotope, the sensitivity of component species is reviewed. Those species that are considered to be particularly indicative of the sensitivity of the biotope, and for which research has been undertaken in detail are shown below (see selection criteria). The biology of other component species of the biotope is also taken into account wherever information is known to the researcher.

Community Importance Species name Common Name
Key structural Polydora ciliata A bristleworm

Explanation

The Polydora species Polydora ciliata is used to assess the sensitivity of the biotope. There has been some confusion in the identification of Polydora species and it has been suggested that some other species such as Polydora ligni, Polydora websteri, Polydora cirrosa and Polydora nuchalis may only be varieties of Polydora ciliata (Mustaquim, 1986). Since no or very few other species are present in the biotope the sensitivity of Polydora ciliata is representative of the sensitivity of the whole biotope.

Additional information

This review can be cited as follows:

Hill, J.M. 2001. Polydora sp. tubes on upward-facing circalittoral soft rock. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 21/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/habitatreproduction.php?habitatid=247&code=1997>