BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Metridium senile
All Taxonomy Biology Distribution Reproduction

Researched by	Dr Keith Hiscock & Emily Wilson	Data supplied by	MarLIN
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	All British and Irish coasts.
Global distribution	See additional information below.
Biogeographic range	Not researched	Depth range	Lower shore to considerable depths.
Migratory	Non-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional Information	The species occurs from Biscay to Scandinavia in the northeast Atlantic. It is unknown from the western basin of the Mediterranean but recorded from the Adriatic (where it is believed to have been introduced) (Manual 1988). The same species occurs on the west and east coasts of North America. It has recently (Griffiths et al., 1996) been reported from Table Bay Harbour in South Africa where it was probably introduced from Europe. Both dianthus and pallidum forms may occur in estuaries and pallidum in brackish creeks. Braber & Borghouts (1977) recorded Metridium senile from salinities as low as 10ppt Chlorinity (about 19psu) in the Delta Region of the Netherlands.

Substratum preferences	Bedrock Large to very large boulders Biogenic reef Artificial (e.g. metal/wood/concrete) Caves Overhangs	Physiographic preferences	Offshore seabed Strait / sound Ria / Voe
Biological zone	Sublittoral Fringe Upper Infralittoral Lower Infralittoral Upper Circalittoral Lower Circalittoral	Wave exposure	Extremely Exposed Very Exposed Exposed Moderately Exposed Sheltered Very Sheltered Extremely Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Very Strong (>6 kn) Strong (3-6 kn) Moderately Strong (1-3 kn)	Salinity	Full (30-40 psu)
Habitat Preferences Additional Information
Distribution References	Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Manuel, 1988, Griffiths et al., 1996, Braber & Borghouts, 1977,