Biodiversity & Conservation

Suberites spp. and other sponges with solitary ascidians on very sheltered circalittoral rock

SCR.SubSoAs

Image David Connor - Suberites spp. and other sponges with solitary ascidians on very sheltered circalittoral rock. Image width ca 20 cm.
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Distribution map

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.

Species found especially in this biotope

  • Suberites carnosus

Rare of scarce species associated with this biotope

  • Phallusia mammillata
Community Importance Species name Common Name
Key structural Suberites carnosus A sponge
Important characterizing Ciona intestinalis A sea squirt
Important characterizing Clavelina lepadiformis Light bulb sea squirt
Important characterizing Nemertesia antennina Sea beard

Explanation

The biotope is dominated by a rich mixture of sponges and a variety of large solitary ascidians. Suberites carnosus is found with high frequency in the biotope and provides a key structural component. Suberites carnosus also acts as a functionally similar representative for other species of sponge. Ciona intestinalis and Clavelina lepadiformis represent the ascidians and Nemertesia antennina the hydroids.

Additional information

Full MarLINsensitivity reviews for Suberites carnosus and Nemertesia antennina have not been completed, therefore these species are absent from the tables detailing species used to indicate biotope sensitivity and recoverability of the biotope. However, whenever information concerning their sensitivity was available it has been used.

This review can be cited as follows:

Budd, G.C. 2002. Suberites spp. and other sponges with solitary ascidians on very sheltered circalittoral rock. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 24/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/habitatreproduction.php?habitatid=94&code=1997>