BIOTIC Species Information for Idotea pelagica
Researched byAndrew Hosie Data supplied byMarLIN
Refereed byThis information is not refereed.
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & IrelandFound on all British and Irish coasts.
Global distributionFound from Iceland, Norway south to Spanish coast of the Bay of Biscay, not found in the Baltic.
Biogeographic rangeArctic-boreal to temperate. Depth range0-10 m
MigratoryNon-migratory / Resident   
Distribution Additional Information

Substratum preferencesAlgae
Physiographic preferencesOpen coast
Biological zoneUpper Eulittoral
Mid Eulittoral
Lower Eulittoral
Sublittoral Fringe
Upper Infralittoral
Lower Infralittoral
Upper Circalittoral
Wave exposureVery Exposed
Exposed
Tidal stream strength/Water flowInsufficient information
SalinityFull (30-40 psu)
Habitat Preferences Additional InformationThere are a total of 8 members of Idotea in British waters which can be distinguished using the keys provided in Naylor (1972) and Hayward & Ryland (1995b). The various species are not typically sympatric, but are ecologically segregated. For example, Idotea pelagica is found in the lower intertidal and shallow subtidal on exposed rocky reefs and is replaced in less exposed areas by I. granulosa which in turn is replaced by I. chelipes on sheltered, estuarine shores (Naylor, 1955).
Distribution References Naylor, 1972, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Bruce et al., 1963, MBA, 1957, Picton & Howson, 1997, NBN, 2002, Naylor, 1955, Leifsson, 1999, Kroer, 1986, Healy & O'Neill, 1984, Sheader, 1977,
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