Crepidula Reef Substrate (Substrate Group)

Component: Substrate

Unique Identifier: 337

Substrate Origin	Biogenic Substrate
Substrate Class	Shell Substrate
Substrate Subclass	Shell Reef Substrate
Substrate Group	Crepidula Reef Substrate

Description

Definition

Shell Reef that is primarily composed of conglomerated Crepidula shells. While Crepidula are slowly mobile and do not cement their shells, the gregarious settlement of their larvae on conspecifics (Zhao and Qian 2002) can lead to very dense accumulations with a flat, reef-like texture as live shells build over dead shells.