EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB4 - infralittoral mixed sediment > MB42 - Atlantic infralittoral mixed sediment > MB424 - Faunal communities on variable salinity Atlantic infralittoral mixed sediment > MB4242 - Crepidula fornicata and Mediomastus fragilis in variable salinity Atlantic infralittoral mixed sediment

Crepidula fornicata and Mediomastus fragilis in variable salinity Atlantic infralittoral mixed sediment

Description (English)

Variable salinity mixed sediment characterised by the slipper limpet Crepidula fornicata and the polychaetes Mediomastus fragilis and Aphelochaeta marioni. Other numerically important taxa include the oligochaetes Tubificoides benedii, syllids such as Exogone naidina and Sphaerosyllis, and Nephtys hombergii. Lepidonotus squamatus and Scoloplos armiger may also be common. Shell debris and cobbles are colonised by the ascidians Ascidiella aspersa, Ascidiella scabra, Molgula sp. and Dendrodoa grossularia (the ascidians may not be recorded adequately by remote infaunal survey techniques).
Situation: This biotope occurs in the lower estuary where currents allow a stable environment to develop. It is associated with oyster beds and relict oyster beds, (MB2-222) in southern England and Wales. It may be found adjacent to or in conjunction with MB6-252 and MB4-241. It may be associated with MB4-233 and possibly form a component of MB6-242.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB4242
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	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 Ascidiella scabra

Invertebrates Dendrodoa grossularia

Invertebrates Lepidonotus squamatus

Invertebrates Nephtys hombergii

Invertebrates Scoloplos armiger

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Ascidiella scabra		Invertebrates
Dendrodoa grossularia		Invertebrates
Lepidonotus squamatus		Invertebrates
Nephtys hombergii		Invertebrates
Scoloplos armiger		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.422	Crepidula fornicata and Mediomastus fragilis in variable salinity infralittoral mixed sediment	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.422	Crepidula fornicata and Mediomastus fragilis in variable salinity infralittoral mixed sediment	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.431	Crepidula fornicata and Aphelochaeta marioni in variable salinity shallow-water mixed sediment	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.451	Crepidula fornicata and Aphelochaeta marioni in variable salinity shallow-water mixed sediment	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	IMX.EstMx.CreAph	Crepidula fornicata and Aphelochaeta marioni in variable salinity infralittoral mixed sediment	same

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