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

Text page icon Habitat description

Map icon Distribution of biotope in Britain and Ireland Recorded from Anglesey and Colwyn Bay in Wales, Plymouth limestone habitats and the chalk coasts in the south east of England. Probably more widely distributed but mixed with other biotopes where Polydora is abundant but other species identify to a different biotope.
National importance Not available

Text page icon Description of biotope

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

Large patches of upward-facing chalk and soft limestone covered entirely by Polydora sp. tubes to the exclusion of almost all other species. Also with the sponge Cliona celata - boring form only. In a few cases this biotope occurs in small patches amongst other biotopes. (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:

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 22/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/habitatsbasicinfo.php?habitatid=247&code=1997>