Mytilus edulis beds on reduced salinity infralittoral rock
Description (English)
This biotope occur in shallow, often tide-swept, reduced salinity conditions. Dense beds of the mussel Mytilus edulis with the occasional barnacle Balanus crenatus. A wide variety of epifaunal colonisers on the mussel valves, including seaweeds, hydroids and bryozoans can be present. Predatory starfish Asterias rubens can be very common in this biotope. This biotope generally appears to lack large kelp plants, although transitional examples containing mussels and kelps plants may also occur. More information needed to validate this description.
Situation: Occurs in tide-swept entrance channels in very enclosed basins of sealochs where the basins are typically of lowered salinity. Also occurs in very sheltered subtidal rock (often vertical) in lagoons.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code A3.361 |
|---|---|
| Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A3) |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Invertebrates
Asterias rubens
Invertebrates
Mytilus edulis
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Asterias rubens | Invertebrates | |
| Mytilus edulis | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | IR.LIR.IFaVS.MytRS | <I>Mytilus edulis</I> beds on reduced salinity infralittoral rock | source |
| CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.3. | Sea and ocean | n/a |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A3.361 | Mytilus edulis beds on reduced salinity infralittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.321 | Mytilus edulis beds on reduced salinity infralittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.321 | Mytilus edulis beds on reduced salinity tide-swept infralittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.321 | Mytilus edulis beds on reduced salinity tide-swept infralittoral rock | same |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | SIR.EstFa.MytT | Mytilus edulis beds on reduced salinity tide-swept infralittoral rock | same |
