Crepidula fornicata and Mediomastus fragilis in variable salinity infralittoral mixed sediment
Description (English)
Variable salinity mixed sediment characterised by the slipper limpet Crepidula fornicata and the polychaetes Mediomastus fragilis and Aphelochaeta marioni. Other numerically important taxa include the oligochaetes Tubificoides benedii, syllids such as Exogone naidina and Sphaerosyllis, and Nephtys hombergii. Lepidonotus squamatus and Scoloplos armiger may also be common. Shell debris and cobbles are colonised by the ascidians Ascidiella aspersa, Ascidiella scabra, Molgula sp. and Dendrodoa grossularia (the ascidians may not be recorded adequately by remote infaunal survey techniques).
Situation: This biotope occurs in the lower estuary where currents allow a stable environment to develop. It is associated with oyster beds and relict oyster beds, (A5.435) in southern England and Wales. It may be found adjacent to or in conjunction with A5.322 and A5.421. It may be associated with A5.433 and possibly form a component of A5.332.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code A5.422 |
|---|---|
| Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A5) |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Invertebrates
Ascidiella scabra
Invertebrates
Dendrodoa grossularia
Invertebrates
Lepidonotus squamatus
Invertebrates
Nephtys hombergii
Invertebrates
Scoloplos armiger
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Ascidiella scabra | Invertebrates | |
| Dendrodoa grossularia | Invertebrates | |
| Lepidonotus squamatus | Invertebrates | |
| Nephtys hombergii | Invertebrates | |
| Scoloplos armiger | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | SS.SMx.SMxVS.CreMed | <I>Crepidula fornicata</I> and <I>Mediomastus fragilis</I> in variable salinity infralittoral mixed sediment | source |
| CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.2. | Estuaries | n/a |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A5.422 | Crepidula fornicata and Mediomastus fragilis in variable salinity infralittoral mixed sediment | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A4.431 | Crepidula fornicata and Aphelochaeta marioni in variable salinity shallow-water mixed sediment | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A4.451 | Crepidula fornicata and Aphelochaeta marioni in variable salinity shallow-water mixed sediment | same |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | IMX.EstMx.CreAph | Crepidula fornicata and Aphelochaeta marioni in variable salinity infralittoral mixed sediment | same |
