Crepidula Rubble (Substrate Group)

Component: Substrate

Unique Identifier: 341

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

Description

Definition

Shell Rubble (median particle sizes from 64 millimeters to < 4,096 millimeters) 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 as live shells build over dead shells, and sediments fill in to bind these areas into flat shelly masses.