Myrtea spinifera and polychaetes in offshore circalittoral sandy mud
Description (English)
Deep, offshore habitats with cohesive sandy mud (>20% mud) may support communities characterised by infaunal polychaetes and the bivalve Myrtea spinifera. Polychaetes typically include Chaetozone setosa, Paramphinome jeffreysii, Levinsenia gracilis, Aricidea catherinae and Prionospio malmgreni. The bivalves Thyasira spp. and Abra nitida may also be found as may seapens, such as Pennatula phosphorea. Some examples of the unit A5.353 contain Myrtea spinifera (Mackie 1990) in lower numbers but these habitats are generally sandier than those in A5.377.
Situation: This biotope has been recorded in the northern North Sea but may also exist in the Irish Sea.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code A5.377 |
|---|---|
| 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
Abra nitida
Invertebrates
Chaetozone setosa
Invertebrates
Levinsenia gracilis
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Abra nitida | Invertebrates | |
| Chaetozone setosa | Invertebrates | |
| Levinsenia gracilis | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | SS.SMu.OMu.MyrPo | <I>Myrtea spinifera</I> and polychaetes in offshore circalittoral 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 | A5.377 | Myrtea spinifera and polychaetes in offshore circalittoral sandy mud | same |
