Biodiversity & Conservation

Polyides rotundus, Ahnfeltia plicata and Chondrus crispus on sand-covered infralittoral rock

IR.MIR.SedK.PolAhn

<i>%Polyides rotundus%</i>, <i>%Ahnfeltia plicata%</i> and <i>%Chondrus crispus%</i> on sand-covered infralittoral rock
Distribution map

IR.MIR.SedK.PolAhn recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

  • EC_Habitats

Text page icon Habitat description

Map icon Distribution of biotope in Britain and Ireland Occurs in the Orkney Islands, western Scotland, Cardigan Bay, the southwest peninsula and the Isles of Scilly.
National importance Uncommon

Text page icon Description of biotope

For a full description of this biotope including characterizing species, distribution, survey information and references visit JNCC

Similar to the Halidrys siliquosa biotope (MIR.HalXK) but lack of large boulders or more prominent bedrock prevents dominance by Halidrys or kelps. Rock which is surrounded by sand and often subject to burying by the sand with the red seaweeds Polyides rotundus, Furcellaria lumbricalis and Ahnfeltia plicata typically on the rock growing through the sand. Coralline crusts cover the rock, which is grazed by Tectura virginea and chitons. (Information taken from the Marine Biotope Classification for Britain and Ireland, Version 97.06: Connor et al., 1997a, b).

Additional information icon Additional information

This review can be cited as follows:

Rayment, W.J. 2002. Polyides rotundus, Ahnfeltia plicata and Chondrus crispus on sand-covered infralittoral 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/habitatsbasicinfo.php?habitatid=222&code=1997>