EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MC1 - Circalittoral rock > MC12 - Atlantic circalittoral rock > MC122 - Echinoderms and crustose communities on Atlantic circalittoral rock > MC1226 - Mytilus edulis beds with hydroids and ascidians on tide-swept exposed to moderately wave-exposed Atlantic circalittoral rock

Mytilus edulis beds with hydroids and ascidians on tide-swept exposed to moderately wave-exposed Atlantic circalittoral rock

Description (English)

This biotope typically occurs on the upper faces of tide-swept circalittoral bedrock, boulders and mixed substrata exposed to varying amounts of wave action. The mussel Mytilus edulis forms dense beds, to the exclusion of other species. The starfish Asterias rubens is frequently recorded, and it predates heavily on the mussels. Occasionally, the anemone Urticina felina may be seen within crevices in the rock or on gravel patches. Crabs such as Necora puber and Carcinus maenas may be seen on the rock or mussels whilst fauna observed in crevices typically consists of the lobster Homarus gammarus and the crab Cancer pagurus. The anemone Sargatia elegans can be seen attached to bedrock and cobbles, whereas the barnacle Balanus crenatus may be seen attached to the mussels themselves.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MC1226
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)	Reefs	1170	Narrower	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 Asterias rubens

Invertebrates Balanus crenatus

Invertebrates Cancer pagurus

Invertebrates Carcinus maenas

Invertebrates Homarus gammarus

Invertebrates Mytilus edulis

Invertebrates Necora puber

Invertebrates Urticina felina

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Asterias rubens		Invertebrates
Balanus crenatus		Invertebrates
Cancer pagurus		Invertebrates
Carcinus maenas		Invertebrates
Homarus gammarus		Invertebrates
Mytilus edulis		Invertebrates
Necora puber		Invertebrates
Urticina felina		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A4.241	Mytilus edulis beds with hydroids and ascidians on tide-swept exposed to moderately wave-exposed circalittoral rock	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A4.241	Mytilus edulis beds with hydroids and ascidians on tide-swept exposed to moderately wave-exposed circalittoral rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A3.641	Mytilus edulis beds with hydroids and ascidians on tide-swept moderately exposed circalittoral rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A3.641	Mytilus edulis beds with hydroids and ascidians on tide-swept moderately exposed circalittoral rock	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A3.641	Mytilus edulis beds with hydroids and ascidians on tide-swept moderately exposed circalittoral rock	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	MCR.M.MytHAs	Mytilus edulis beds with hydroids and ascidians on tide-swept moderately exposed circalittoral rock	same

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