BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Chondrus crispus
All Taxonomy Biology Distribution Reproduction

Researched by	Will Rayment and Paolo Pizzola	Data supplied by	MarLIN
Refereed by	Dr Stefan Kraan
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Widely distributed on rocky shores on all British and Irish coasts.
Global distribution	See additional information.
Biogeographic range	Not researched	Depth range	mid eulittoral, exceptionally to 24 m
Migratory	Non-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional Information	In Galway Bay, Ireland, Chondrus crispus occurs in relatively stable conditions. The annual variation in sea surface temperature was 10-16°C and in salinity was 32-35 psu (Pybus, 1977). However, the species is capable of existing in much more variable environments. In New Hampshire, USA, Chondrus crispus formed its most extensive populations on the open coast on massive outcrops and boulders in the shallow subtidal (3 to 5 metres deep) (Mathieson & Burns, 1975). The annual variation in sea surface temperatures was -1 to 19°C. The species also occurred in an estuarine tidal rapid experiencing currents up to 5.5 knots and salinity fluctuations from 16-32 psu (Mathieson & Burns, 1975). Global distribution Occurs in Iceland, the Faroes, the western Baltic Sea, from northern Russia to southern Spain, the Mediterranean, Portugal, the Azores and West Africa. In north America it occurs in Alaska and from Labrador in Canada to New Jersey in the USA. Also occurs in the Bering Sea (East Asia).

Substratum preferences	Bedrock Large to very large boulders Small boulders Rockpools	Physiographic preferences	Open coast Strait / sound Estuary Enclosed coast / Embayment
Biological zone	Mid Eulittoral Lower Eulittoral Sublittoral Fringe Upper Circalittoral Upper Infralittoral Lower Infralittoral	Wave exposure	Exposed Moderately Exposed Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Strong (3-6 kn) Moderately Strong (1-3 kn) Weak (<1 kn) Very Weak (negligible)	Salinity	Full (30-40 psu) Variable (18-40 psu)
Habitat Preferences Additional Information
Distribution References	Fish & Fish, 1996, Dickinson, 1963, Hiscock, 1986b, Dixon & Irvine, 1977, Pybus, 1977, Mathieson & Burns, 1975, Hardy & Guiry, 2003, Mann, 1972, Guiry & Nic Dhonncha, 2002,