BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Alcyonium digitatum
All Taxonomy Biology Distribution Reproduction

Researched by	Georgina Budd	Data supplied by	MarLIN
Refereed by	Dr Richard G. Hartnoll
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Found on all British and Irish coasts.
Global distribution	Alcyonium digitatum is recorded along the Atlantic Coasts of Europe from Portugal to Norway, in Iceland.
Biogeographic range	Not researched	Depth range	Low water (Springs) to 50 m
Migratory	Non-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional Information	Alcyonium digitatum prefers areas of strong water movement resulting from wave turbulence or currents. Records of Alcyonium digitatum from New England, USA have been shown to be %Alcyonium siderium% Verrill, which differs in both morphology and reproduction and lacks the seasonal quiescent phase (Sebens, 1983; Hartnoll pers. comm.).

Substratum preferences	Large to very large boulders Small boulders Bedrock Artificial (e.g. metal/wood/concrete) Caves Overhangs Cobbles	Physiographic preferences	Open coast Offshore seabed
Biological zone	Upper Circalittoral Lower Circalittoral Circalittoral Offshore	Wave exposure	Very Exposed Exposed Moderately Exposed Sheltered Very Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Strong (3-6 kn) Moderately Strong (1-3 kn)	Salinity	Variable (18-40 psu) Full (30-40 psu)
Habitat Preferences Additional Information
Distribution References	Manuel, 1988, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hartnoll, 1975, Hiscock, 1983, Sebens, 1983,