Arenicola marina in Atlantic infralittoral mud
Description (English)
In very shallow, extremely sheltered, very soft muds Arenicola marina may form very conspicuous mounds and casts. This biotope may also contain synaptid holothurians such as Labidoplax media and Leptosynapta bergensis or L. inhaerens. However these species may be under recorded (possibly due to periodicity in feeding) and are not considered characteristic of this biotope. Other conspicuous fauna may include Carcinus maenas, Asterias rubens and Pagurus bernhardus whilst the scallop Pecten maximus and the turret shell Turritella communis may also be present in some areas.
Situation: This biotope typically occurs in waters shallower than about 5 m in sheltered basins of sealochs and lagoons that may be partially separated from the open sea by tidal narrows or rapids.
Temporal variation: Sediment surfaces may become covered by a diatom film at certain times of the year
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code MB6248 |
|---|---|
| Relation to | Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007 | Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation | Large shallow inlets and bays | 1160 | Overlap | http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Invertebrates
Arenicola marina
Invertebrates
Asterias rubens
Invertebrates
Carcinus maenas
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Arenicola marina | Invertebrates | |
| Asterias rubens | Invertebrates | |
| Carcinus maenas | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A5.342 | Arenicola marina in infralittoral mud | same |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A5.342 | Arenicola marina in infralittoral mud | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A4.312 | Arenicola marina in infralittoral mud | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A4.312 | Arenicola marina and synaptid holothurians in extremely shallow soft mud | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A4.312 | Arenicola marina and synaptid holothurians in extremely shallow soft mud | same | |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | IMU.MarMu.AreSyn | Arenicola marina and synaptid holothurians in extremely shallow soft mud | same |
