EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MA6 - Littoral mud > MA62 - Atlantic littoral mud > MA622 - Faunal communities of variable salinity Atlantic littoral mud > MA6226 - Nephtys hombergii and Streblospio shrubsolii in Atlantic littoral mud

Nephtys hombergii and Streblospio shrubsolii in Atlantic littoral mud

Description (English)

Soft wet mud with a fine sand fraction, on the mid and lower shore of sheltered estuaries, usually with an anoxic layer present within the first 5 cm of the sediment. The infauna is relatively poor, dominated by the polychaetes Nephtys hombergii, Streblospio shrubsolii, and Aphelochaeta marioni. The oligochaete Tubificoides benedii is also characterising for this biotope, and Hediste diversicolor may be common.
Situation: This unit may occur on the same shores as the MA6-22 biotopes, MA6-2272 or MA6-2271. Higher up on the shore, and/or further towards the head of the estuary, MA6-2273 may occur, changing to MA6-228 at the upper extreme of the estuary.
Temporal variation: Enteromorpha spp. and Ulva lactuca may form mats on the surface of the mud during the summer months, particularly in areas of nutrient enrichment.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MA6226
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)	Estuaries	1130	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)	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]

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Algae Ulva lactuca

Invertebrates Nephtys hombergii

Invertebrates Streblospio shrubsolii

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Ulva lactuca		Algae
Nephtys hombergii		Invertebrates
Streblospio shrubsolii		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A2.321	Nephtys hombergii and Streblospio shrubsolii in littoral mud	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A2.321	Nephtys hombergii and Streblospio shrubsolii in littoral mud	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A2.372	Hediste diversicolor and Streblospio shrubsolii in sandy mud or soft mud shores	overlap
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A2.372	Hediste diversicolor and Streblospio shrubsolii in sandy mud or soft mud shores	overlap
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A2.322	Hediste diversicolor and Streblospio shrubsolii in sandy mud or soft mud shores	overlap
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	LMU.Mu.HedStr	Hediste diversicolor and Streblospio shrubsolii in sandy mud or soft mud shores	overlap

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