BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Idotea pelagica
All Taxonomy Biology Distribution Reproduction

Researched by	Andrew Hosie	Data supplied by	MarLIN
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Found on all British and Irish coasts.
Global distribution	Found from Iceland, Norway south to Spanish coast of the Bay of Biscay, not found in the Baltic.
Biogeographic range	Arctic-boreal to temperate.	Depth range	0-10 m
Migratory	Non-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional Information

Substratum preferences	Algae	Physiographic preferences	Open coast
Biological zone	Upper Eulittoral Mid Eulittoral Lower Eulittoral Sublittoral Fringe Upper Infralittoral Lower Infralittoral Upper Circalittoral	Wave exposure	Very Exposed Exposed
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Insufficient information	Salinity	Full (30-40 psu)
Habitat Preferences Additional Information	There 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,