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 > MB6257 - Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, Tubifex tubifex and Gammarus spp. in low salinity Atlantic infralittoral muddy sediment

Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, Tubifex tubifex and Gammarus spp. in low salinity Atlantic infralittoral muddy sediment

Description (English)

Upper estuary muddy sediments with very low fluctuating salinity, characterised by the oligochaetes Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri and Tubifex tubifex. Other taxa may include Marenzelleria wireni, Gammarus zaddachi, Paranais litoralis and Heterochaeta costata. The biotope contains elements of both freshwater and brackish communities.
Situation: This biotope is found in the transitional zone between the freshwater and brackish environments where tidal currents are sufficiently reduced to allow the deposition of fine silt and the establishment of an infaunal community. It may be found adjacent to MB5-243 away from the stronger tidal streams.
Temporal variation: The position of this biotope in the estuary may vary seasonally depending on freshwater input (Gameson, 1982).

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MB6257
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	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

Invertebrates Gammarus zaddachi

Invertebrates Heterochaeta costata

Invertebrates Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri

Invertebrates Paranais litoralis

Invertebrates Tubifex tubifex

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Gammarus zaddachi		Invertebrates
Heterochaeta costata		Invertebrates
Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri		Invertebrates
Paranais litoralis		Invertebrates
Tubifex tubifex		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.327	Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, Tubifex tubifex and Gammarus spp. in low salinity infralittoral muddy sediment	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.327	Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, Tubifex tubifex and Gammarus spp. in low salinity infralittoral muddy sediment	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.326	Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, Tubifex tubifex and Gammarus spp. in low salinity infralittoral muddy sediment	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.326	Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, Tubifex tubifex and Gammarus spp. in low salinity infralittoral muddy sediment	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.326	Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, Tubifex tubifex and Gammarus spp. in low salinity infralittoral muddy sediment	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	IMU.EstMu.LimTtub	Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri, Tubifex tubifex and Gammarus spp. in low salinity infralittoral muddy sediment	same

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