Bivalve reefs in the Atlantic circalittoral zone
Description (English)
Sublittoral mussel beds comprised of either the horse mussel Modiolus modiolus or the common mussel Mytilus edulis. These communities may be sublittoral extensions of littoral reefs or exist independently. Found in a variety of habitats ranging from sheltered estuaries and marine inlets to open coasts and offshore areas they may occupy a range of substrata, although due to the stabilising effect such communities have on the substratum muddy mixed sediments are typical. A diverse range of epibiota and infauna often exists in these communities.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code MC223 |
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Relation to | Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites) |
Legal status
Relation to other habitat types mentioned in legal instruments
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Modiolus modiolus | Invertebrates | |
Mytilus edulis | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A5.62 | Sublittoral mussel beds on sediment | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A4.64 | Sublittoral mussel beds on sediment | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A4.432 | Mytilus edulis beds in variable salinity shallow-water mixed sediment | narrower | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A4.442 | Modiolus modiolus beds on circalittoral mixed sediment | narrower | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A4.64 | Structures formed by mussels over sublittoral sediment | narrower | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A4.432 | Mytilus edulis beds in variable salinity shallow-water mixed sediment | narrower | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A4.442 | Modiolus modiolus beds on circalittoral mixed sediment | narrower | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A4.452 | Mytilus edulis beds in variable salinity shallow-water mixed sediment | narrower | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A4.492 | Modiolus modiolus beds on circalittoral mixed sediment | narrower | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A4.92 | Modiolus modiolus beds on circalittoral mixed sediment | narrower | |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | CMX.ModMx | Modiolus modiolus beds on circalittoral mixed sediment | narrower | |
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | IMX.EstMx.MytV | Mytilus edulis beds in variable salinity infralittoral mixed sediment | narrower |