BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Ophiothrix fragilis
All Taxonomy Biology Distribution Reproduction

Researched by	Lizzie Tyler	Data supplied by	University of Sheffield
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	All British and Irish coasts, except for the east coast of Scotland, around the Humber Estuary and north East Anglia and south Kent coast.
Global distribution	Widely distributed in the eastern Atlantic from northern Norway to the Cape of Good Hope.
Biogeographic range	Not researched	Depth range
Migratory	Non-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional Information	Ophiothrix fragilis may be found in low densities on Crepidula fornicata (slipper limpet) beds (Bourgoin et al., 1985) or also overlying Modiolus shells (Magorrian et al., 1995) Wolff, (1968) notes the species occurring in normal salinities of 16 psu and even persisting down to 10 psu.

Substratum preferences	Bedrock Large to very large boulders Small boulders Cobbles Pebbles Gravel / shingle Maerl Muddy gravel Under boulders Crevices / fissures Other species (see additional information)	Physiographic preferences	Open coast Offshore seabed Strait / sound
Biological zone	Lower Eulittoral Sublittoral Fringe Upper Infralittoral Lower Infralittoral Upper Circalittoral Lower Circalittoral	Wave exposure	Extremely Exposed Very Exposed Exposed Moderately Exposed Sheltered Very Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Strong (3-6 kn) Moderately Strong (1-3 kn) Weak (<1 kn)	Salinity	Low (<18 psu) Full (30-40 psu) Variable (18-40 psu) Reduced (18-30 psu)
Habitat Preferences Additional Information
Distribution References	Fish & Fish, 1996, Hayward et al., 1996, Campbell, 1994, Bruce et al., 1963, MBA, 1957, JNCC, 1999, Picton & Costello, 1998, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Migné & Davoult, 1997(c), Gorzula, 1976, Lefebvre & Davoult, 1997, Davoult, 1990, Migné et al., 1998, Warner & Woodley, 1975, Warner, 1971, Bourgoin et al., 1985, George & Warwick, 1985, Davoult et al., 1990, Holme, 1984, Migné & Davoult, 1997(b), Hughes, 1998, Magorrian et al., 1995, Wolff, 1968, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Julie Bremner, unpub data, Mortensen, 1927,