EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB5 - Infralittoral sand > MB55 - Mediterranean infralittoral sand > MB554 - Assemblages of Mediterranean euryhaline and/or eurythermal lagoon biocenosis on sand > MB5543 - Association with Halopithys incurva on sand

Association with Halopithys incurva on sand

Description (English)

The association with Halopithys incurva is present in the most marine sectors of Mediterranean lagoons. The salinity there is identical or close to that of the open sea, the differences in termperature are strictly seasonal, the oxygenation of the environment is normal, the concentrations of organic matter and pollutants in the water are low, and depth is of the order of 3 to 5 meters or more, according to the clearness of the water.
The main plant species belong to the Rhodophyceae: Halopithys incurva, Rythiphlaea tinctoria and Alsidium corallinum. H. incurva is more common in the Etang de Thau (southern coasts of France) and Rythiphlaea tinctoria in the Stagnone de Marsala (western Sicily, Italy).
The fauna, especially studied in Sicily, is typically that of the fronds of algae of the upper part of the infralittoral stage: Polychaete annelids Syllis spp., Perinereis cultrifera, Platynereis dumerilii; the mollusc Nodolus contortus; the amphipod crustaceans Elasmospus pocillimanus, Maera inaequipes, Lysiannassa longicornis, and the tanaidaceans Leptochelia guttatus, L. savignyi, Apseudes latreillii and Parapseudes latifrons.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB5543
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)	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]

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Algae Alsidium corallinum

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Alsidium corallinum		Algae

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.52C	Association with Halopitys incurva	narrower

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.52C	Association with Halopitys incurva	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.418	Association with Halopitys incurva	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.418	Association with Halopitys incurva	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.418	Association with Halopitys incurva	same

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