EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB3 - Infralittoral coarse sediment > MB32 - Atlantic infralittoral coarse sediment > MB322 - Maerl beds on Atlantic infralittoral coarse sediment > MB3221 - Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds in Atlantic infralittoral clean gravel or coarse sand > MB32212 - Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds with Neopentadactyla mixta and other echinoderms in Atlantic infralittoral clean gravel or coarse sand

Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds with Neopentadactyla mixta and other echinoderms in Atlantic infralittoral clean gravel or coarse sand

Description (English)

Lower infralittoral maerl beds characterised by Phymatolithon calcareum in gravels and sand with a variety of associated echinoderms. The echinoderm Neopentadactyla mixta is frequently observed in this biotope. Other echinoderms such as Echinus esculentus, Ophiura albida and rarely Luidia ciliaris may also be present. Red seaweed such as Plocamium cartilagineum may be present but at a much lower abundance than in MB3-2211 and with fewer species present. Other, more ubiquitous echinoderms such as Asterias rubens may also be found in low numbers throughout MB3-221 subunits.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB32212
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)	Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time	1110	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

Algae Phymatolithon calcareum

Algae Plocamium cartilagineum

Invertebrates Asterias rubens

Invertebrates Echinus esculentus

Invertebrates Luidia ciliaris

Invertebrates Neopentadactyla mixta

Invertebrates Ophiura albida

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Phymatolithon calcareum		Algae
Plocamium cartilagineum		Algae
Asterias rubens		Invertebrates
Echinus esculentus		Invertebrates
Luidia ciliaris		Invertebrates
Neopentadactyla mixta		Invertebrates
Ophiura albida		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.5112	Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds with Neopentadactyla mixta and other echinoderms in deeper infralittoral clean gravel or coarse sand	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.5112	Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds with Neopentadactyla mixta and other echinoderms in deeper infralittoral clean gravel or coarse sand	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.6112	Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds with Neopentadactyla mixta and other echinoderms in deeper infralittoral clean gravel or coarse sand	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.6112	Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds with hydroids and echinoderms in deeper infralittoral clean gravel or coarse sand	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.1112	Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds with hydroids and echinoderms in deeper infralittoral clean gravel or coarse sand	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	IGS.Mrl.Phy.HEc	Phymatolithon calcareum maerl beds with hydroids and echinoderms in deeper infralittoral clean gravel or coarse sand	same

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