BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Electra pilosa
All Taxonomy Biology Distribution Reproduction

Researched by	Dr Harvey Tyler-Walters	Data supplied by	MarLIN
Refereed by	Dr Peter J. Hayward
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Common on all coasts of the British Isles, although under recorded on parts of the east coast.
Global distribution	Common in all temperate seas.
Biogeographic range	Not researched	Depth range	Intertidal to at least 50m
Migratory	Non-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional Information	Electra pilosa may be found on most substrata, and is part of the epiphytic fauna of macroalgae such as %Fucus serratus% in the intertidal and the stipes or holdfasts of laminarians in the subtidal. Electra pilosa may also be found encrusting the shells of shellfish such as mussels. It is also a common member of the fouling community (Ryland, 1967). The abundance of bryozoans is positively correlated with supply of hard substrata and hence with current strength (Eggleston, 1972b; Ryland, 1976). Similarly, the abundance of Electra pilosa increased with increasing fucoid density and surface area (O'Connor et al., 1979).

Substratum preferences	Bedrock Large to very large boulders Small boulders Cobbles Algae Other species (see additional information) Artificial (e.g. metal/wood/concrete) Seagrass Under boulders Caves Overhangs	Physiographic preferences	Open coast Strait / sound Sealoch Ria / Voe Estuary Enclosed coast / Embayment
Biological zone	Mid Eulittoral Lower Eulittoral Sublittoral Fringe Upper Infralittoral Lower Infralittoral	Wave exposure	Moderately Exposed Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Strong (3-6 kn) Moderately Strong (1-3 kn) Weak (<1 kn)	Salinity	Full (30-40 psu)
Habitat Preferences Additional Information
Distribution References	Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward & Ryland, 1998, Bruce et al., 1963, Ryland, 1967, Ryland, 1976, Ryland, 1977, Moore, 1973c, Ryland, 1970, O'Connor et al., 1979, Gontar & Denisenko, 1989,