Modiolus modiolus beds on open coast Atlantic circalittoral mixed sediment
Description (English)
Muddy gravels and coarse sands in deeper water of continental seas may contain venerid bivalves with beds of Modiolus modiolus. The clumping of the byssus threads of the M. modiolus creates a stable habitat that attracts a very rich infaunal community with a high density of polychaete species including Glycera lapidum, Paradoneis lyra, Aonides paucibranchiata, Laonice bahusiensis, Protomystides bidentata, Lumbrineris spp., Mediomastus fragilis and syllids such as Exogone spp. and Sphaerosyllis spp. Bivalves such as Spisula elliptica, Timoclea ovata and other venerid species are also common. Brittlestars such as Amphipholis squamata may also occur with this community. This biotope is very similar to MD4-211 and the 'boreal off-shore gravel association' and the 'deep Venus community' described by previous workers (Ford 1923; Jones 1951). Similar Modiolus beds (though with a less diverse infauna) on open coast stable boulders, cobbles and sediment are described under MC1-221.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code MC2232 |
|---|---|
| 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 | Reefs | 1170 | Narrower | http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Invertebrates
Aonides paucibranchiata
Invertebrates
Modiolus modiolus
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Aonides paucibranchiata | Invertebrates | |
| Modiolus modiolus | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A5.622 | Modiolus modiolus beds on open coast circalittoral mixed sediment | same |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A5.622 | Modiolus modiolus beds on open coast circalittoral mixed sediment | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A4.442 | Modiolus modiolus beds on circalittoral mixed sediment | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A4.492 | Modiolus modiolus beds on circalittoral mixed sediment | same | |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A4.92 | Modiolus modiolus beds on circalittoral mixed sediment | same | |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | CMX.ModMx | Modiolus modiolus beds on circalittoral mixed sediment | same |
