Mytilus edulis beds with hydroids and ascidians on tide-swept exposed to moderately wave-exposed circalittoral rock
Description (English)
This biotope typically occurs on the upper faces of tide-swept circalittoral bedrock, boulders and mixed substrata exposed to varying amounts of wave action. The mussel Mytilus edulis forms dense beds, to the exclusion of other species. The starfish Asterias rubens is frequently recorded, and it predates heavily on the mussels. Occasionally, the anemone Urticina felina may be seen within crevices in the rock or on gravel patches. Crabs such as Necora puber and Carcinus maenas may be seen on the rock or mussels whilst fauna observed in crevices typically consists of the lobster Homarus gammarus and the crab Cancer pagurus. The anemone Sargatia elegans can be seen attached to bedrock and cobbles, whereas the barnacle Balanus crenatus may be seen attached to the mussels themselves.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code A4.241 |
|---|---|
| Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A4) |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Invertebrates
Asterias rubens
Invertebrates
Cancer pagurus
Invertebrates
Carcinus maenas
Invertebrates
Homarus gammarus
Invertebrates
Mytilus edulis
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Asterias rubens | Invertebrates | |
| Cancer pagurus | Invertebrates | |
| Carcinus maenas | Invertebrates | |
| Homarus gammarus | Invertebrates | |
| Mytilus edulis | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | CR.MCR.CMus.CMyt | <I>Mytilus edulis</I> beds with hydroids and ascidians on tide-swept exposed to moderately wave-exposed circalittoral 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 | A4.241 | Mytilus edulis beds with hydroids and ascidians on tide-swept exposed to moderately wave-exposed circalittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A3.641 | Mytilus edulis beds with hydroids and ascidians on tide-swept moderately exposed circalittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A3.641 | Mytilus edulis beds with hydroids and ascidians on tide-swept moderately exposed circalittoral rock | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A3.641 | Mytilus edulis beds with hydroids and ascidians on tide-swept moderately exposed circalittoral rock | same |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | MCR.M.MytHAs | Mytilus edulis beds with hydroids and ascidians on tide-swept moderately exposed circalittoral rock | same |
