EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MC2 - Circalittoral biogenic habitat > MC22 - Atlantic circalittoral biogenic habitat > MC221 - Worm reefs in the Atlantic circalittoral zone > MC2212 - Serpula vermicularis reefs on very sheltered Atlantic circalittoral muddy sand

Serpula vermicularis reefs on very sheltered Atlantic circalittoral muddy sand

Description (English)

Large clumps (mini 'reefs') of the calcareous tubes of Serpula vermicularis, typically attached to stones on muddy sediment in very sheltered conditions in sealochs and other marine inlets. A rich associated biota attached to the calcareous tube may include Esperiopsis fucorum, thin encrusting sponges, and the ascidians Ascidiella aspersa, Ascidia mentula, Dendrodoa grossularia and Diplosoma listerianum. The echinoderms Ophiothrix fragilis and Psammechinus miliaris and the queen scallop (Aequipecten opercularis) are also found throughout this biotope. In shallow water dense Phycodrys rubens may grow on the 'reefs'. This biotope has been recorded in the U.K. from Loch Creran, where these reefs have been well studied (Moore 1996), and Loch Sween, where they are reported to have deteriorated. The only other known sites for this biotope are Salt Lake, Cliffden and Killary Harbour, Co. Galway.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MC2212
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 Ascidia mentula

Invertebrates Dendrodoa grossularia

Invertebrates Diplosoma listerianum

Invertebrates Ophiothrix fragilis

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Ascidia mentula		Invertebrates
Dendrodoa grossularia		Invertebrates
Diplosoma listerianum		Invertebrates
Ophiothrix fragilis		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.613	Serpula vermicularis reefs on very sheltered circalittoral muddy sand	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.613	Serpula vermicularis reefs on very sheltered circalittoral muddy sand	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.652	Serpulid reefs on very sheltered circalittoral mixed substrata	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.494	Serpulid reefs on very sheltered circalittoral mixed substrata	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811	A4.72	Serpulid reefs on very sheltered circalittoral mixed substrata	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712	A5.33	Serpulid reefs on very sheltered circalittoral mixed substrata	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	CMS.Ser	Serpula vermicularis reefs on very sheltered circalittoral muddy sand	same
MNCR BioMar 96.7 (Britain & Ireland)	SCR.Sver		same

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