Biodiversity & Conservation

Rhodothamniella floridula in upper littoral fringe soft rock caves

LR.LR.Ov.RhoCv

LR.RhoCv

Image Kathryn Birch - Rhodothamniella floridula in upper littoral fringe soft rock caves.
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Distribution map

LR.LR.Ov.RhoCv recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

  • EC_Habitats
  • UK_BAP
  • OSPAR

Text page icon Habitat description

Map icon Distribution of biotope in Britain and Ireland Recorded in chalk caves from the Isle of Thanet, Kent (Tittley, 1985) and North Landing, Humberside (George et al., 1988).
National importance Rare

Text page icon Description of biotope

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

The upper littoral fringe in the moist dark conditions inside caves on soft rock may be characterized by velvety bands of the red alga Rhodothamniella floridula. In chalk caves, on the east and south-east coast of England, a distinctive assemblage of species occurs, including the brown alga Pilinia maritima and the bright green alga Pseudendoclonium submarinum which often covers the roofs of chalk caves. Where the rock is sufficiently hard, the crustose red alga Hildenbrandia rubra may occur on the cave roofs. (Information taken from the Marine Biotope Classification for Britain and Ireland, Version 97.06: Connor et al., 1997a, b).

Additional information icon Additional information

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This review can be cited as follows:

Riley, K. 2007. Rhodothamniella floridula in upper littoral fringe soft rock caves. 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=39&code=1997>