Mussel beds on circalittoral rock
Description (English)
This habitat type occurs on moderately wave-exposed upper circalittoral bedrock subject to strong or moderately strong tidal streams. This complex is characterised by dense aggregations of the mussels Mytilus edulis or Musculus discors carpeting the underlying substrata. Sponges that may be recorded in this complex are Scypha ciliata, Tethya aurantium, Pachymatisma johnstonia, Dysidea fragilis and Cliona celata. A sparse hydroid/bryozoan turf composed primarily of Nemertesia antennina, Alcyonidium diaphanum and Flustra foliacea is often recorded. Anemones present are Urticina felina and Sagartia elegans. Other species recorded are the crabs Cancer pagurus, Carcinus maenas and Necora puber, the starfish Crossaster papposus and Asterias rubens, and Alcyonium digitatum and in this upper circalittoral complex, algae species such as Dictyota dichotoma, Cryptopleura ramosa and Plocamium cartilagineum.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code A4.24 |
|---|---|
| Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A4) |
| Relation to | Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive) |
Legal status
Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments
| Legal text | Annex | Name in legal text | Code in legal text |
Habitat type relationship |
More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007 | Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation | Reefs | 1170 | Narrower | http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Algae
Dictyota dichotoma
Algae
Plocamium cartilagineum
Invertebrates
Alcyonium digitatum
Invertebrates
Asterias rubens
Invertebrates
Cancer pagurus
Invertebrates
Carcinus maenas
Invertebrates
Cliona celata
Invertebrates
Dysidea fragilis
Invertebrates
Flustra foliacea
Invertebrates
Musculus discors
Invertebrates
Mytilus edulis
Invertebrates
Nemertesia antennina
Invertebrates
Pachymatisma johnstonia
Invertebrates
Sagartia elegans
Invertebrates
Tethya aurantium
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Dictyota dichotoma | Algae | |
| Plocamium cartilagineum | Algae | |
| Alcyonium digitatum | Invertebrates | |
| Asterias rubens | Invertebrates | |
| Cancer pagurus | Invertebrates | |
| Carcinus maenas | Invertebrates | |
| Cliona celata | Invertebrates | |
| Dysidea fragilis | Invertebrates | |
| Flustra foliacea | Invertebrates | |
| Musculus discors | Invertebrates | |
| Mytilus edulis | Invertebrates | |
| Nemertesia antennina | Invertebrates | |
| Pachymatisma johnstonia | Invertebrates | |
| Sagartia elegans | Invertebrates | |
| Tethya aurantium | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | CR.MCR.CMus | Circalittoral mussel beds on rock | source |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 200112 | 11.254 | Mussel beds | wider |
| CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.3. | Sea and ocean | n/a |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A4.24 | Mussel beds on circalittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.64 | Mussel beds on circalittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.64 | Mussel beds on moderately exposed circalittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.64 | Mussel beds on moderately exposed circalittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A3.65 | Mussel beds on moderately exposed circalittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | A5.25 | Mussel beds on moderately exposed circalittoral rock | same |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 11.254 | Part of Mussel beds | narrower |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 11.254 | Part of Mussel beds | narrower |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 11.254 | narrower | |
| Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 11.254 | narrower | |
| CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 11.254 | narrower | |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | MCR.M | Mussel beds (open coast circalittoral rock/mixed substrata) | same |
| MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland) | MCR.M | same |
