Gathering information to ensure the long-term sustainable use of marine resources in Lyme Bay

Branchiostoma lanceolatum in circalittoral coarse sand with shell gravel (SS.SCS.CCS.Blan)

What’s it like?

The seabed within this biotope consists of medium to coarse sand with some gravel or shell gravel at depths of 20 to 100m. The conditions it which it is found are moderately exposed or sheltered from wave action.

What lives there?

The characterizing species found within this area of the seabed consists mostly of the lancelet Branchiostoma lanceolatum. The lancelets have a primitive backbone known as a notochord making them closely related to fish. They are commonly found buried in the sediments with their mouth end projecting using their gills mostly for filtering food particles from the water. Other animals which may be found within this biotope include a variety of polychaete worms and the pea urchin (Echinocyamus pusillus).