Hostname: page-component-7479d7b7d-68ccn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-10T20:01:25.709Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Distribution of Intertidal Organisms Along the Coasts of the English Channel

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

D. J. Crisp  and
A. J. Southward
D. J. Crisp
Affiliation:
Marine Biology Station, Menai Bridge, Anglesey
A. J. Southward
Affiliation:
The Plymouth Laboratory
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The English Channel may conveniently be divided into a western basin and an eastern basin separated by a line drawn approximately between the Cherbourg peninsula and the Isle of Wight. In these basins, the environmental factors are very different. Thus the water of the western basin is on average warmer and slightly more saline than that of the eastern basin and its temperature variation is less extreme. The French side of the Channel is warmer than the English coast only in the western basin. The tidal oscillations in the two basins are out of phase with each other and the strongest tidal currents occur where the two basins join. The main residual flow is up-Channel with minor coastal eddies.

The shores at the western end of the Channel are generally rocky, they are close to deep water, and so are exposed to frequent heavy swells. The shores of the eastern basin are generally erodible, and accumulations of sand and shingle tend to reduce the force of the waves. The water of the eastern basin generally contains more suspended matter and the shores are usually scoured by sand and shingle.

The distribution of the following animals is given in some detail and compared with earlier records: Ammonia sulcata, Actinia equina, Chthamalus stellatus, Balanus balanoides, B. perforatus, B. crenatus, B. improvisus, Elminius modestus, Verruca stroemia, Hemioniscus balani, Patella vulgata, P. depressa, P. aspera, Monodonta lineata, Gibbula umbilicalis, G. pennanti, G. cineraria, Littorina saxatilis, L. littoralis, L. littorea, L. neritoides, Paracentrotus lividus. The distribution of certain other species is also discussed: Balanus balanus, Haliotis tuberculata, Gibbula magus and Calliostoma zizyphinum.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 37 , Issue 1 , February 1958 , pp. 157 - 203
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1958

References

Andrewartha, H. G. & Birch, L. C., 1954. The Distribution and Abundance of Animals. Chicago: University Press.Google Scholar
Apellöf, A. 1912. Invertebrate bottom fauna of the Norwegian Sea and the north Atlantic. In Murray, J. & Hjort, J., The Depths of the Ocean, pp. 457–560. London: Macmillan.Google Scholar
Barnes, H., 1956. Balanus balanoides L. in the Firth of Clyde: the development and annual variation of the larval population and the causative factors. J. Anim. Ecol. Vol. 25, pp. 72–84.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bassindale, R.J 1936. The developmental stages of three English barnacles, Balanus balanoides (Linn.), Chthamalus stellatus (Poli) and Verruca stroemia (O. F. Müller). Proc. zool. Soc. Lond., 1936, pp. 57–74.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bassindale, R., 1941. The invertebrate fauna of the southern shores of the Bristol Channel and Severn estuary. Proc. Bristol Nat. Soc., Ser. 4, Vol. 9, pp. 143–201.Google Scholar
Bigelow, H. B. & Edmonson, W. T., 1947. Wind Waves at Sea, Breakers and Surf. Washington: U.S. Navy Department, Hydrographic Office.Google Scholar
Bishop, M. W. H. & Crisp, D. J., 1957. The Australasian barnacle, Elminius modestus, in France. Nature, Lond., Vol. 179, pp. 482–3.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bishop, M. W. H. & Crisp, D. J., 1958. The distribution of Elminius modestus in France. (In the Press.)Google Scholar
Bowden, K. F., 1956. The flow of water through the Straits of Dover related to wind and differences in sea level. Phil. Trans. A, Vol. 248, pp. 517–51.Google Scholar
Burrows, E. M. & Lodge, S. M., 1951. Autecology and the species problem in Fucus. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 30, pp. 161–76.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Børgesen, F. & Jόnsson, H., 1908. The distribution of the marine algae of the Arctic Sea, and of the northernmost part of the Atlantic. Botany of the Faeröes, Pt. 3, Appendix, 28 pp.Google Scholar
Carruthers, J. N., 1930. Further investigations upon the water movements in the English Channel. Drift-bottle experiments in the summers of 1927, 1928 and 1929, with critical notes. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 17, pp. 241–75.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carruthers, J. N., 1935. The flow of water through the Straits of Dover as gauged by continuous current meter observations at the Varne lightvessel (50° 56' N., 1° 17' E.). Pt. II. Second report on results obtained. Fish. Invest., Lond., Ser. 2, Vol. 14, No. 4.Google Scholar
Carruthers, J. N.Lawford, A. L. & Veley, V. F. C., 1950. Studies of water movements at various light vessels in 1938,1939 and 1940. I. At the ‘Varne’ lightship and her successors. Ann. biol., Copenhague, T. 6, pp. 115–21.Google Scholar
Carruthers, J. N.Lawford, A. L.Veley, V. F. C. & Gruning, J. F., 1951. Studies of water movements and winds at various lightvessels. II. At the Seven Stones light vessel near the Stilly Isles. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 29, pp. 587–608.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clark, J., 1906. Marine Zoology. In The Victoria History of the County of Cornwall, pp. 113–59. London.Google Scholar
Colman, J., 1933. The nature of the intertidal zonation of plants and animals. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 18, pp. 435–76.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cooper, L. H. N., 1958. Sea temperatures in Plymouth Sound. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 37, pp. 1–3.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Crisp, D. J., 1950. Breeding and distribution of Chthamalus stellatus. Nature, Lond., Vol. 166, p. 311.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Crisp, D. J., 1956. The intertidal zoology of Rockall. In Fisher J., Rockall. London: Bles.Google Scholar
Crisp, D. J., 1958. The spread of Elminius modestus in north-west Europe. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 37 (in the Press.)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Crisp, D. J. & Chipperfield, P. N. J., 1948. Occurrence of Elminius modestus (Darwin) in British waters. Nature, Lond., Vol. 161, p. 64.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Crisp, D. J. & Knight-Jones, E. W., 1955. Discontinuities in the distribution of shore animals in North Wales. Rep. Bardsey Observatory, Year 1954, pp. 29–34.Google Scholar
Crisp, D. J. & Molesworth, A. N. H., 1951. Habitat of Balanus amphitrite var. denticulata in Britain. Nature, Lond., Vol. 167, p. 489.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Crisp, D. J. & Southward, A. J., 1953. Isolation of intertidal animals by sea barriers. Nature, Lond., Vol. 172, p. 208.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Crofts, D. R., 1929. Haliotis. Mem. Lpool mar. biol. Com., No. 29, 174 pp.Google Scholar
Cushing, D. H., 1957. The number of Pilchards in the Channel. Fish. Invest., Lond., ser. 2, Vol. 21, No. 5, 27 pp.Google Scholar
Darwin, C., 1854. A Monograph on the Sub-Class Cirripedia: Balanidae, Verrucidae, etc. London: Ray Soc.Google Scholar
Darwin, C., 1872. The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, 6th ed., ch. 3. London: John Murray.Google Scholar
Dizerbo, A. H., 1947. La répartition et la z^ne de végétation dans le massif armoricaine d'Alaria escuienta (L.) Grev. Bull. Soc. sci. Bretagne, T. 22, pp. 113–17.Google Scholar
Dodd, J. M., 1957. Artificial fertilisation, larval development and metamorphosis in Patella vulgata L. and Patella caerulea L. Pubbl. Staz. zool. Napoli, Vol. 29, pp. 172–86.Google Scholar
Evans, R. G., 1953. Studies on the biology of British limpets—the genus Patella on the south coast of England. Proc. zool. Soc, Lond., Vol. 132, pp. 357–76.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fischer, E., 1928. Sur la distribution géographique de quelques organismes de rocher le long des c^tes de la Manche. Trav. Lab. Mus. Hist. nat. St-Servan, T. 2, pp. 1–16.Google Scholar
Fischer-Piette, E., 1932. Répartition des principales espèces fixées sur les rochers battus des c^tes et des^les de la Manche, de Lannion à Fécamp. Ann. Inst. océanogr. Monaco, T. 12, pp. 107–213.Google Scholar
Fischer-Piette, E., 1935. Systematique et biogéographie. Les Patelles d'Europe et d'Afrique du Nord. J. Conchyliol., T. 79,, pp. 5–66.Google Scholar
Fischer-Piette, E., 1936. Etudes sur la biogéographie intercotidale des deux rives de la Manche. J. Linn. Soc. (Zool.), Vol. 40, pp. 181–272.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fischer-Piette, E., 1955. Répartition, le long des c^tes septentrionales de l'Espagne, des principales espèces peuplant les rochers intercotidaux. Ann. Inst. océanogr. Monaco, T. 31, pp. 37–124.Google Scholar
Flscher-Piette, E. & Prenant, M., 1956. Distribution des cirripèdes intercotidaux d'Espagne septentrionale. Bull. Cent. Rech. sci. Biarritz, T. 1, pp. 7–19.Google Scholar
Forbes, E. & Hanley, S., 1853. A History of British Mollusca. Vols. 2 & 3. London: Van Voorst.Google Scholar
Gaillard, J. M., 1954. Revision des espèces des c^tes de France du genre Gibbula Risso (Mollusque Prosobranche). Bull. Mus. Hist, nat., Paris, T. 26, pp. 238–43.Google Scholar
Hamel, G., 1931–1939. Pheéophyceées de France. Paris.Google Scholar
Hartog, C. Den, 1956. Speculations on the immigration of the barnacle Elminius modestus in France. Beaufortia, Vol. 5, p. 141.Google Scholar
Harvey, H. W., 1930. Hydrography of the mouth of the English Channel 1925–1928. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 16, pp. 791–820.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hawkshaw, C., 1878. On the action of limpets in sucking pits in and eroding the surface of chalk at Dover. J. Linn. Soc. (Zool), Vol. 14, pp. 406–11.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kalle, K., 1937. Nährstoff-Untersuchungen als Hydrographisches Hilfsmittel zur Unterscheidung von Wasserkörpern. Ann. Hydrogr. Berl., Jahrg. 65, pp. 1–18.Google Scholar
Koehler, R., 1884. Recherches sur la faune marine des îles Anglo-Normandes. Bull. Soc. Sci. Nancy, 1884, pp. 51–99.Google Scholar
Lami, R., 1941. Notules d'algologie marine (suite). III. Sur l'écologie de Bifurcaria tuberculata dans la région malouine. Bull. Lab. mark. Dinard, F. 23, pp. 24–29.Google Scholar
Lami, R., 1943. Notules d'algologie marine (suite). IX. Sur l'écologie et la répartition dans la Manche de Laminaria ochroleuca De La Pylaie. Bull. Lab. mark. Dinard, F. 25, pp. 75–90.Google Scholar
Lami, R., 1954. Une station normande de Laminaria ochroleuca de la Pylaie. Trav. algol., N.S., T. 1, pp. 44–45.Google Scholar
LEBOUR, M. V., 1937. The eggs and larvae of the British prosobranchs with special reference to those living in the plankton. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 22, pp. 105–66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lilly, S. J.Sloane, J. F.Bassindale, R.Ebling, F. J. & Kitching, J. A., 1953. The ecology of Lough Ine rapids with special reference to water currents. IV. The sedentary fauna of sub-littoral boulders. J. Anim. Ecol., Vol. 22, pp. 87–122.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lumby, J. R., 1935. Salinity and temperature of the English Channel. Atlas of charts. Fish. Invest., Lond., Ser. 2, Vol. 14, No. 3.Google Scholar
Lysaght, A. M., 1941. The biology and trematode parasites of the gastropod Littorina neritoides (L.) on the Plymouth Breakwater. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 25, pp. 41–67.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Maghraby, A. M. El & Perkins, E. J., 1956. Additions to the marine fauna of Whitstable. Ann. Mag. nat. Hist., Ser. 12, Vol. 9, pp. 481–96.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mansell-Pleydell, J. C., 1898. The Mollusca of Dorsetshire. Dorchester: Dorset County Chronicle.Google Scholar
Martonne, E. de, 1935. Traité de Géographie Physique. Paris.Google Scholar
Moore, H. B., 1935. The biology of Balanus balanoides. IV. Relation to environmental factors. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 20, pp. 273–307.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moore, H. B. & Kitching, J. A., 1939. The biology of Chthamalus stellatus (Poli). J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 23, pp. 521–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mortensen, T., 1927. Handbook of the Echinoderms of the British Isles. OxfordUniversity Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nobre, A., 1932. Moluscos Marinhos de Portugal. Universidade do P^rto, Instituto de Zoologia.Google Scholar
Norris, E. & Crisp, D. J., 1953. The distribution and planktonic stages of the cirripede Balanus perforatus Brugière. Proc. zool. Soc, Lond., Vol. 123, pp. 393–409.Google Scholar
Orton, J. H., 1920. Sea temperature, breeding and distribution in marine animals. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 12, pp. 339–66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Orton, J. H.Southward, A. J. & Dodd, J. M., 1956. Studies on the biology of limpets. II. The breeding of Patella vulgata L. in Britain. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 35, pp. 149–76.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Parke, M., 1948. Laminaria ochroleuca de la Pylaie growing on the coast of Britain. Nature, Lond., Vol. 162, p. 295.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Perez, C., 1923. Sur la spécificité du parasitisme des Hemioniscus. Bull. Soc. zool. Fr., T. 48, PP. 375–6.Google Scholar
Pilsbry, H. A., 1916. The sessile barnacles (Cirripedia) contained in the collections of the U.S. National Museum. Bull. U.S. nat. Musa., Vol. 93, 366 pp.Google Scholar
Prenant, M., 1929. Sur l'extension actuelle de Pachygrapsus marmoratus (Fabr.). Bull. Lab. marit. Dinard, F. 4, pp. 3–4.Google Scholar
Rees, W. J., 1950. The distribution of Octopus vulgaris Lamarck in British waters. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 29, pp. 361–78.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rees, W. J. & Lumby, J. R., 1954. The abundance of Octopus in the English Channel. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 33, pp.515–36.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Runnström, S., 1929. Weitere Studien über Temperaturanpassung der Fortpflanzung und Entwicklung mariner Tiere. Bergens Mus. Aarb., 1929, No. 10, 46 pp.Google Scholar
Russell, F. S., 1935. On the value of certain plankton animals as indicators of water movements in the English Channel and North Sea. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 20, 309–32.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Russell, F. S., 1953. The English Channel. Rep. Trans. Dev. Ass. Adv. Set., Vol. 85, pp. 1–17.Google Scholar
Sars, G. O., 1878. Bidrag til Kundskaben on Norges Arktiske Fauna. I. Mollusca. Christiana.Google Scholar
Sinel, J., 1906. An Outline of the Natural History of our Shores. London: Swan Sonnenschein and Co.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smith, J. E., 1953. Maintenance and spread of sea shore faunas. Advanc. Sci., Lond., Ser. 10, No. 38, pp. 145–56.Google Scholar
Southward, A. J., 1950. Occurrence of Chihamalus stellatus in the Isle of Man. Nature, Lond., Vol. 165, p. 408.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Southward, A. J., 1951. The distribution of Chihamalus stellatus in the Irish Sea. Nature, Lond., Vol. 167, p. 410.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Southward, A. J., 1953. The ecology of some rocky shores in the south of the Isle of Man. Proc. Lpool biol. Soc., Vol. 59, pp. 1–50.Google Scholar
Southward, A. J., 1955a. Feeding of barnacles. Nature, Lond., Vol. 175, p. 1124.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Southward, A. J., 1955b. On the behaviour of barnacles. I. The relation of cirral and other activities to temperature. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 34, pp. 403–22.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Southward, A. J., 1955c. On the behaviour of barnacles. II. The influence of habitat and tide-level on cirral activity. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 34, pp. 423–33.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Southward, A. J., 1957. On the behaviour of barnacles. III. Further observations on the influence of temperature and age on cirral activity. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 36, PP. 323–34.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Southward, A. J., 1958. Notes on the temperature tolerances of some intertidal animals in relation to environmental temperatures and geographical distribution. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 37 PP. 49–66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Southward, A. J. & Crisp, D. J., 1952. Changes in the distribution of the intertidal barnacles in relation to the environment. Nature, Lond., Vol. 170, pp. 416–17.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Southward, A. J. & Crisp, D. J., 1954 a. Changes in the distribution of the intertidal barnacles Chthamalus stellatus Poli and Balanus balanoides L. in the British Isles. J. Anim. Ecol., Vol. 23, pp. 163–77.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Southward, A. J. & Crisp, D. J., 1954 b. The distribution of certain intertidal animals around the Irish coast. Proc. R. Irish Acad., Vol. 57 (B), No. 1, 29 pp.Google Scholar
Southward, A. J. & Crisp, D. J., 1956. Fluctuations in the distribution and abundance of intertidal barnacles. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 35, pp. 211–29.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Southward, A. J. & Orton, J. H., 1954. The effects of wave-action on the distribution and numbers of the commoner plants and animals living on the Plymouth breakwater. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 33, pp. 1–19.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Spooner, G. M., 1950. Additional records of Laminaria ochroleuca de la Pylaie. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 29, pp. 261–2.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Roscoff, Station Biologique 1951 a. Inventaire de la faune marine de RoscofF. BryozoairesEchinodermes. Trav. Sta. biol. Roscoff, Suppl. 4, 53 pp.Google Scholar
De Roscoff, Station Biologique 1951 b. Inventaire de la faune marine de Roscoff. Mollusques. Trav. Sta. biol. Roscoff, Suppl. 5, pp. 1–80.Google Scholar
Station Biologique, De Roscoff, 1954. Inventaire de la fiore marine de Roscoff. Algues, Champignons, Lichens et Spermatophytes. Trav. Sta. biol. Roscoff, Suppl. 6, 152 pp.Google Scholar
Stephensen, K., 1938. Cirripedia (incl. Rhizocephala). Zool. Iceland, Vol. 3, Pt. 30–31, 11 pp.Google Scholar
Stephenson, T. A., 1924. Notes on Haliotis tuberculata. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K., Vol. 13, pp. 480–95.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stephenson, T. A., 1935. The British Sea Anemones, Vol. 2. London: Ray Soc.Google Scholar
Thorson, G., 1941. Marine Gastropoda Prosobranchiata. Zool. Iceland, Vol. 4, Pt. 60, 150 pp.Google Scholar
Thorson, G., 1946. Reproduction and larval development of Danish marine bottom invertebrates. Medd. Komm. Havunderseg., Kbh., Ser. Plankton, Vol. 4, 423 pp.Google Scholar
Tomlin, J. R. le B., 1937. Report of the conchological section, 1936. Rep. Soc. guérnesiaise, Vol. 12, pp. 454–5.Google Scholar
Van Veen, J., 1936. Onderzoekingen in de Hoofden in verband met de gestelheid der Nederlandsche Kust. S'Gravenhage.Google Scholar
Wegmann, H., 1884. Contributions à l'histoire naturelle des Haliotides. Arch. Zool. exp. gén., T. 2, pp. 289–378.Google Scholar
Woodward, S. P., 1880. A Manual of the Mollusca, 4th ed. London: Crosby Lockwood and Co.Google Scholar