Mytilus edulis and Fucus vesiculosus on moderately exposed mid eulittoral rock
Description (English)
Mid eulittoral exposed to moderately exposed bedrock, often with nearby sediment, covered by a dense band or large patches of the mussel Mytilus edulis . The community often supports scattered Fucus vesiculosus and occasional foliose red seaweeds such as Porphyra umbilicalis, Osmundea pinnatifida, Mastocarpus stellatus, Palmaria palmata or the calcareous algae Corallina officinalis. The ephemeral green seaweeds Enteromorpha intestinalis and Ulva lactuca commonly occur on the shells of the mussels. The barnacle Semibalanus balanoides is common on both the mussel valves and on patches of bare rock, where the limpet Patella vulgata also can be found. The whelk Nucella lapillus and the winkle Littorina littorea can be found within the mussel bed.
Situation: Above this biotope is a M. edulis and S. balanoides dominated biotope (unit MA1-223) or a F. vesiculosus dominated biotope (unit MA1-243). In the lower eulittoral zone below MA1-246 is a biotope dominated by the wrack Fucus serratus, M. edulis and a higher diversity of red seaweeds (units MA1-247; MA1-2441).
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code MA1246 |
---|---|
Relation to | Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites) |
Legal status
Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Fucus vesiculosus | Algae | |
Ulva lactuca | Algae | |
Nucella lapillus | Dog whelk | Invertebrates |
Patella vulgata | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A1.221 | Mytilus edulis and Fucus vesiculosus on moderately exposed mid eulittoral rock | same |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A1.221 | Mytilus edulis and Fucus vesiculosus on moderately exposed mid eulittoral rock | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A1.251 | Mytilus edulis and Fucus vesiculosus on moderately exposed mid eulittoral rock | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A1.251 | Mytilus edulis and Fucus vesiculosus on moderately exposed mid eulittoral rock | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A1.241 | Mytilus edulis and Fucus vesiculosus on moderately exposed mid eulittoral rock | same | |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | MLR.MF.MytFves | Mytilus edulis and Fucus vesiculosus on moderately exposed mid eulittoral rock | same |