EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MC3 - Circalittoral coarse sediment > MC32 - Atlantic circalittoral coarse sediment > MC321 - Faunal communities of Atlantic circalittoral coarse sediment > MC3215 - Branchiostoma lanceolatum in Atlantic circalittoral coarse sand with shell gravel

Branchiostoma lanceolatum in Atlantic circalittoral coarse sand with shell gravel

Description (English)

Gravel and coarse sand with shell gravel often contains communities of robust venerid bivalves (MC3-212). Shallower examples, such as the biotope presented here, may support a significant population of Branchiostoma lanceolatum. Other conspicuous infauna may include Echinocyamus pusillus, Glycera lapidum, Polygordius, Pisione remota and Arcopagia crassa (in the south of UK). Sessile epifauna are typically a minor component of this community. This biotope has been described from a limited number of records and as such may need revising when further data become available. This biotope is related to the 'Boreal Offshore Gravel Association' and 'Deep Venus Community' described by other workers (Ford 1923; Jones 1951), and may also be closely allied (the same?) as the ' Venus fasciata ' community of Cabioch (Glemarec 1973). This biotope may be an epibiotic overlay of the biotope MB3-233 or MC3-212.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MC3215
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)	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 Arcopagia crassa

Invertebrates Branchiostoma lanceolatum

Invertebrates Echinocyamus pusillus

Invertebrates Glycera lapidum

Invertebrates Pisione remota

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Arcopagia crassa		Invertebrates
Branchiostoma lanceolatum		Invertebrates
Echinocyamus pusillus		Invertebrates
Glycera lapidum		Invertebrates
Pisione remota		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.145	Branchiostoma lanceolatum in circalittoral coarse sand with shell gravel	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.135	Branchiostoma lanceolatum in circalittoral coarse sand with shell gravel	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.1312	Branchiostoma lanceolatum in circalittoral coarse sand with shell gravel	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.1312	Venerid bivalves and Branchiostoma lanceolatum in circalittoral coarse sand with shell gravel	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.1412	Venerid bivalves and Branchiostoma lanceolatum in circalittoral coarse sand with shell gravel	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	CGS.Ven.Bra	Venerid bivalves and Branchiostoma lanceolatum in circalittoral coarse sand with shell gravel	same

Write to us

Call us

Sections