EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB6 - Infralittoral mud > MB62 - Atlantic infralittoral mud > MB622 - Maerl beds on Atlantic infralittoral muddy sediment > MB6221 - Lithophyllum fasciculatum maerl beds on Atlantic infralittoral mud

Lithophyllum fasciculatum maerl beds on Atlantic infralittoral mud

Description (English)

Shallow, sheltered infralittoral muddy plains with Lithophyllum fasciculatum maerl. This rarely recorded maerl species forms flattened masses or balls several centimetres in diameter (Irvine & Chamberlain 1994). Unit MB6-221 may be found on mud and muddy gravel mixed with shell. Species of anemone typical of sheltered conditions may be found in association, for example, Anthopleura ballii, Cereus pedunculatus and Sagartiogeton undatus. Polychaetes such as Myxicola infundibulum and terebellids, also characteristic of sheltered conditions, may be present as may hydroids such as Kirchenpaueria pinnata. Occasional Chlamys varia and Thyone fuscus are present in all records of this biotope and red seaweeds such as Plocamium cartilagineum, Calliblepharis jubata and Chylocladia verticillata are often present.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB6221
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

Algae Calliblepharis jubata

Algae Chylocladia verticillata

Algae Lithophyllum fasciculatum

Algae Plocamium cartilagineum

Invertebrates Anthopleura ballii

Invertebrates Cereus pedunculatus

Invertebrates Chlamys varia

Invertebrates Kirchenpaueria pinnata

Invertebrates Myxicola infundibulum

Invertebrates Sagartiogeton undatus

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Calliblepharis jubata		Algae
Chylocladia verticillata		Algae
Lithophyllum fasciculatum		Algae
Plocamium cartilagineum		Algae
Anthopleura ballii		Invertebrates
Cereus pedunculatus		Invertebrates
Chlamys varia		Invertebrates
Kirchenpaueria pinnata		Invertebrates
Myxicola infundibulum		Invertebrates
Sagartiogeton undatus		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.514	Lithophyllum fasciculatum maerl beds on infralittoral mud	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.514	Lithophyllum fasciculatum maerl beds on infralittoral mud	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.622	Lithophyllum fasciculatum maerl beds on infralittoral sandy mud or mud	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.622	Lithothamnion fasciculatum maerl beds with Chlamys varia on shallow-water sandy mud or mud	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.422	Lithothamnion fasciculatum maerl beds with Chlamys varia on shallow-water sandy mud or mud	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	IMX.MrlMX.Lfas	Lithothamnion fasciculatum maerl beds with Chlamys varia on infralittoral sandy mud or mud	same

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