Levinsenia gracilis and Heteromastus filifirmis in offshore circalittoral mud and sandy mud
Description (English)
In deep offshore mud and sandy mud a community characterised by the polychaetes Levinsenia gracilis and Heteromastus filiformis may occur. Other important taxa may include Paramphinome jeffreysii, Nephtys hystricis and N. incisa, Spiophanes kroyeri, Orbinia norvegica, Terebellides stroemi, Thyasira gouldi and Thyasira equalis. Burrowing megafauna such as Calocaris macandreae may also be found in this biotope. This biotope has been found in the central and northern North Sea. A similar community, dominated by L. gracilis but accompanied by Glycera spp. (particularly Glycera rouxii) and Monticellina dorsobranchialis, has also been reported from the Irish Sea. This Irish community also contains Calocaris macandreae, Mediomastus fragilis, Tubificoides amplivasatus, Nephtys incisa, Ancistrosyllis groenlandica, Nucula sulcata, Litocorsa stremma and Minuspio sp. and it is not known at present whether this represents a separate biotope or whether it is a geographic variant of a wider Levinsenia biotope.
Situation: This biotope has been found in the central and northern North Sea and may also occur in the Irish Sea
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code A5.375 |
---|---|
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
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
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Levinsenia gracilis | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | SS.SMu.OMu.LevHet | <I>Levinsenia gracilis</I> and <I>Heteromastus filifirmis</I> in offshore circalittoral mud and 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 | A5.375 | Levinsenia gracilis and Heteromastus filifirmis in offshore circalittoral mud and sandy mud | same |