EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB1 - Infralittoral rock > MB12 - Atlantic infralittoral rock > MB126 - Faunal communities on variable or reduced salinity Atlantic infralittoral rock > MB1261 - Mytilus edulis beds on reduced salinity Atlantic infralittoral rock

Mytilus edulis beds on reduced salinity Atlantic 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 MB1261
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)	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]
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)	Reefs	1170	Narrower	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 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
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A3.361	Mytilus edulis beds on reduced salinity infralittoral rock	same

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

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

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