EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MA5 - Littoral sand > MA52 - Atlantic littoral sand > MA524 - Polychaete/amphipod-dominated Atlantic littoral fine sand > MA5241 - Polychaetes in Atlantic littoral fine sand > MA52412 - Polychaetes and Angulus tenuis in Atlantic littoral fine sand

Polychaetes and Angulus tenuis in Atlantic littoral fine sand

Description (English)

This biotope occurs on the mid and lower shore on moderately wave-exposed and sheltered coasts, with predominantly fine sand which remains damp throughout the tidal cycle. The sediment is often rippled, and an anoxic layer may occasionally occur below a depth of 10 cm, though it is often patchy. The infaunal community is dominated by the abundant bivalve Angulus tenuis together with a range of polychaetes. The presence of polychaetes may be seen as coloured burrows running down from the surface of the sediment. Polychaetes that are characterising for this biotope include Nephtys cirrosa, Paraonis fulgens and Spio filicornis. Burrowing amphipods Bathyporeia spp. may occur in some samples of this biotope.
Situation: Where it occurs under moderately exposed conditions, units MA5-2332, MA5-2411 or MA5-2321 may be present higher up on the shore than this unit. Where it occurs under more sheltered conditions, it may occur below or alongside muddy sand biotopes such as units MA5-252 and MA5-254.
Temporal variation: The infauna of this biotope may be reduced during winter, as increased storminess and wave action increases sediment mobility and may lead to some species migrating or being washed out of the sediment.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MA52412
Relation to	Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites)

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
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats	Revised Annex I of Resolution 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention on endangered natural habitats types using the EUNIS habitat classification (year of revision 2010)	Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide	1140	Overlap	https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc....ckColorLogged=FDC864 Resolution No. 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention lists endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures [and the designation of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) forming the Emerald network]
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats	Revised Annex I of Resolution 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention on endangered natural habitats types using the EUNIS habitat classification (year of revision 2010)	Large shallow inlets and bays	1160	Overlap	https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc....ckColorLogged=FDC864 Resolution No. 4 (1996) of the Bern Convention lists endangered natural habitats requiring specific conservation measures [and the designation of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) forming the Emerald network]

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Invertebrates Nephtys cirrosa

Invertebrates Spio filicornis

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Nephtys cirrosa		Invertebrates
Spio filicornis		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A2.2312	Polychaetes and Angulus tenuis in littoral fine sand	same

For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type	Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A2.2312	Polychaetes and Angulus tenuis in littoral fine sand	same

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