Serpula vermicularis reefs on very sheltered circalittoral muddy sand
Description (English)
Large clumps (mini 'reefs') of the calcareous tubes of Serpula vermicularis, typically attached to stones on muddy sediment in very sheltered conditions in sealochs and other marine inlets. A rich associated biota attached to the calcareous tube may include Esperiopsis fucorum, thin encrusting sponges, and the ascidians Ascidiella aspersa, Ascidia mentula, Dendrodoa grossularia and Diplosoma listerianum. The echinoderms Ophiothrix fragilis and Psammechinus miliaris and the queen scallop (Aequipecten opercularis) are also found throughout this biotope. In shallow water dense Phycodrys rubens may grow on the 'reefs'. This biotope has been recorded in the U.K. from Loch Creran, where these reefs have been well studied (Moore 1996), and Loch Sween, where they are reported to have deteriorated. The only other known sites for this biotope are Salt Lake, Cliffden and Killary Harbour, Co. Galway.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code A5.613 |
|---|---|
| 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
Ascidia mentula
Invertebrates
Dendrodoa grossularia
Invertebrates
Diplosoma listerianum
Invertebrates
Ophiothrix fragilis
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Ascidia mentula | Invertebrates | |
| Dendrodoa grossularia | Invertebrates | |
| Diplosoma listerianum | Invertebrates | |
| Ophiothrix fragilis | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | SS.SBR.PoR.Ser | <I>Serpula vermicularis</I> reefs on very sheltered circalittoral muddy sand | source |
| CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.3. | Sea and ocean | n/a |
| Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitats (UK) | 40 | Serpulid reefs | wider |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A5.613 | Serpula vermicularis reefs on very sheltered circalittoral muddy sand | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A4.652 | Serpulid reefs on very sheltered circalittoral mixed substrata | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A4.494 | Serpulid reefs on very sheltered circalittoral mixed substrata | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A4.72 | Serpulid reefs on very sheltered circalittoral mixed substrata | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | A5.33 | Serpulid reefs on very sheltered circalittoral mixed substrata | same |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | CMS.Ser | Serpula vermicularis reefs on very sheltered circalittoral muddy sand | same |
| MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland) | SCR.Sver | same |
