EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MB6 - Infralittoral mud > MB62 - Atlantic infralittoral mud > MB625 - Faunal communities on variable or reduced salinity Atlantic sublittoral mud > MB6252 - Aphelochaeta marioni and Tubificoides spp. in variable salinity Atlantic infralittoral mud

Aphelochaeta marioni and Tubificoides spp. in variable salinity Atlantic infralittoral mud

Description (English)

Variable salinity cohesive muddy sediment (sometimes with some coarser material) dominated by the polychaete Aphelochaeta marioni (or other Aphelochaeta species e.g. A. amplivasatus) and the oligochaete Tubificoides spp. These taxa are generally accompanied by Nephtys hombergii whilst the polychaetes Capitella capitata and Melinna palmata may also occur in high numbers in some areas. Other members of the cirratulid polychaete group e.g. Caulleriella zetlandica. and Tharyx spp. may also occur in high numbers, sometimes replacing A. marioni as the dominant polychaete. However, there is still inconsistency in the identification of the cirratulid group which is further compounded by fragmentation during sample processing. This biotope is very common in stable muddy environments and may extend from reduced salinity to fully marine conditions.
Situation: This biotope may also be found in conjunction with MB6-241.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB6252
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	Estuaries	1130	Overlap	http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm
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

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Not available

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.322	Aphelochaeta marioni and Tubificoides spp. in variable salinity infralittoral mud	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.322	Aphelochaeta marioni and Tubificoides spp. in variable salinity infralittoral mud	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.322	Aphelochaeta marioni and Tubificoides spp. in variable salinity infralittoral mud	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.322	Aphelochaeta marioni and Tubificoides spp. in variable salinity infralittoral mud	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.322	Aphelochaeta marioni and Tubificoides spp. in variable salinity infralittoral mud	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	IMU.EstMu.AphTub	Aphelochaeta marioni and Tubificoides spp. in variable salinity infralittoral mud	same

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