EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB4 - infralittoral mixed sediment > MB42 - Atlantic infralittoral mixed sediment > MB423 - Faunal communities on full salinity Atlantic infralittoral mixed sediment > MB4232 - Sabella pavonina with sponges and anemones on Atlantic infralittoral mixed sediment

Sabella pavonina with sponges and anemones on Atlantic infralittoral mixed sediment

Description (English)

Muddy gravelly sand with pebbles off shallow, sheltered or moderately exposed coasts or embayments may support dense populations of the peacock worm Sabella pavonina. This community may also support populations of sponges such as Esperiopsis fucorum, Haliclona oculata and Halichondria panicea and anemones such as Sagartia elegans, Cerianthus lloydii and Urticina felina. Hydroids such as Hydrallmania falcata and the encrusting polychaete Pomatoceros triqueter are also important. This biotope may have an extremely diverse epifaunal community. Less is known about its infaunal component, although it is likely to include polychaetes such as Nephtys spp., Harmothoe spp., Glycera spp., syllid and cirratulid polychaetes, bivalves such as Abra spp., Aoridae amphipods and brittlestars such as Amphipholis squamata.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB4232
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)	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 Amphipholis squamata

Invertebrates Halichondria panicea

Invertebrates Sabella pavonina

Invertebrates Sagartia elegans

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Amphipholis squamata		Invertebrates
Halichondria panicea		Invertebrates
Sabella pavonina		Invertebrates
Sagartia elegans		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.432	Sabella pavonina with sponges and anemones on infralittoral mixed sediment	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type	Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.432	Sabella pavonina with sponges and anemones on infralittoral mixed sediment	same

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