Infralittoral sandy mud
Description (English)
Infralittoral, cohesive sandy mud, typically with over 20% silt/clay, in depths of less than 15-20 m. This habitat is generally found in sheltered bays or marine inlets and along sheltered areas of open coast. Typical species include a rich variety of polychaetes including Melinna palmate, tube building amphipods (Ampelisca spp.) and deposit feeding bivalves such as Macoma balthica and Mysella bidentata. Sea pens such as Virgularia mirabilis and brittlestars such as Amphiura spp. may be present but not in the same abundances as found in deeper circalittoral waters.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code A5.33 |
|---|---|
| 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
Macoma balthica
Invertebrates
Mysella bidentata
Invertebrates
Virgularia mirabilis
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Macoma balthica | Invertebrates | |
| Mysella bidentata | Invertebrates | |
| Virgularia mirabilis | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | SS.SMu.ISaMu | Infralittoral sandy mud | source |
| CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.3. | Sea and ocean | n/a |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A5.33 | Infralittoral sandy mud | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A4.31 | Shallow fully marine mud communities | wider |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A4.31 | Shallow fully marine mud communities | wider |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A4.31 | Shallow marine mud communities | wider |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A4.31 | Shallow marine mud communities | wider |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | IMU.MarMu | Shallow marine mud communities | wider |
