EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MC4 - Circalittoral mixed sediment > MC42 - Atlantic circalittoral mixed sediment > MC421 - Faunal communities of Atlantic circalittoral mixed sediment > MC4213 - Mysella bidentata and Thyasiraspp. in circalittoral muddy mixed sediment

Mysella bidentata and Thyasiraspp. in circalittoral muddy mixed sediment

Description (English)

In moderately exposed or sheltered, circalittoral muddy sands and gravels a community characterised by the bivalves Thyasira spp. (often Thyasira flexuosa), Mysella bidentata and Prionospio fallax may develop. Infaunal polychaetes such as Lumbrineris gracilis, Chaetozone setosa and Scoloplos armiger are also common in this community whilst amphipods such as Ampelisca spp. and the cumacean Eudorella truncatula may also be found in some areas. The brittlestar Amphiura filiformis may also be abundant at some sites. Conspicuous epifauna may include encrusting bryozoans Escharella spp. particularly Escharella immersa and, in shallower waters, maerl (Phymatolithon calcareum), although at very low abundances and not forming maerl beds.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MC4213
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

Algae Phymatolithon calcareum

Invertebrates Amphiura filiformis

Invertebrates Chaetozone setosa

Invertebrates Escharella immersa

Invertebrates Eudorella truncatula

Invertebrates Lumbrineris gracilis

Invertebrates Mysella bidentata

Invertebrates Prionospio fallax

Invertebrates Thyasira flexuosa

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Phymatolithon calcareum		Algae
Amphiura filiformis		Invertebrates
Chaetozone setosa		Invertebrates
Escharella immersa		Invertebrates
Eudorella truncatula		Invertebrates
Lumbrineris gracilis		Invertebrates
Mysella bidentata		Invertebrates
Prionospio fallax		Invertebrates
Thyasira flexuosa		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.443	Mysella bidentata and Thyasira spp. in circalittoral muddy mixed sediment	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type	Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.443	Mysella bidentata and Thyasira spp. in circalittoral muddy mixed sediment	same

Write to us

Call us

Sections