An enriched<i> Chaetopterus</i> tube mat biotope in the eastern English Channel

Abstract

Patches of a very dense tube mat biotope were found during fish habitat studies in the eastern English Channel. At three locations in the lows between linear sand banks off the French coast an un-described small Chaetopterus sp. occurred with small Lanice conchilega as an enriched sediment stabilizing biotope. This biotope was distinct though having similarities to other tide swept sub-tidal biotopes dominated by L. conchilega . Using cameras and side-scan sonar it was seen to overlay heterogeneous cobbles and shell hash with intermittent rippled sand veneer. The patchiness of this enriching biogenic feature contributed to the variability in trawl catches of fish.