EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB2 - Infralittoral biogenic habitat > MB22 - Atlantic infralittoral biogenic habitat > MB222 - Bivalve reefs in the Atlantic infralittoral zone > MB2221 - Limaria hians beds in tide-swept Atlantic infralittoral muddy mixed sediment

Limaria hians beds in tide-swept Atlantic infralittoral muddy mixed sediment

Description (English)

Mixed muddy gravel and sand often in tide-swept narrows in the entrances or sills of sealochs with beds or 'nests' of Limaria hians. The Limaria form woven 'nests' or galleries from byssus and fragments of seaweeds so that the animals themselves cannot be seen from above the seabed. Modiolus modiolus sometimes occur at the same sites lying over the top of the Limaria bed. Other fauna associated with this biotope include echinoderms (Ophiothrix fragilis, Ophiocomina nigra and Asterias rubens), Buccinum undatum, mobile crustaceans (e.g. Pagurus bernhardus), Alcyonium digitatum and hydroids such as Plumularia setacea, Kirchenpaueria pinnata and Nemertesia spp. Sometimes red seaweeds such as Phycodrys rubens occur if the beds are in shallow enough water.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB2221
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 Alcyonium digitatum

Invertebrates Asterias rubens

Invertebrates Buccinum undatum

Invertebrates Kirchenpaueria pinnata

Invertebrates Limaria hians

Invertebrates Modiolus modiolus

Invertebrates Ophiocomina nigra

Invertebrates Ophiothrix fragilis

Invertebrates Plumularia setacea

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Alcyonium digitatum		Invertebrates
Asterias rubens		Invertebrates
Buccinum undatum		Invertebrates
Kirchenpaueria pinnata		Invertebrates
Limaria hians		Invertebrates
Modiolus modiolus		Invertebrates
Ophiocomina nigra		Invertebrates
Ophiothrix fragilis		Invertebrates
Plumularia setacea		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.434	Limaria hians beds in tide-swept sublittoral muddy mixed sediment	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.434	Limaria hians beds in tide-swept sublittoral muddy mixed sediment	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.423	Limaria hians beds in tide-swept sublittoral muddy mixed sediment	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.423	Limaria hians beds in tide-swept sublittoral muddy mixed sediment	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.443	Limaria hians beds in tide-swept sublittoral muddy mixed sediment	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	IMX.FaMX.Lim	Limaria hians beds in tide-swept sublittoral muddy mixed sediment	same

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