EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MC5 - Circalittoral sand > MC52 - Atlantic circalittoral sand > MC521 - Faunal communities of Atlantic circalittoral sand > MC5214 - Abra alba and Nucula nitidosa in circalittoral muddy sand or slightly mixed sediment

Abra alba and Nucula nitidosa in circalittoral muddy sand or slightly mixed sediment

Description (English)

Non-cohesive muddy sands or slightly shelly/gravelly muddy sand characterised by the bivalves Abra alba and Nucula nitidosa. Other important taxa include Nephtys spp., Chaetozone setosa and Spiophanes bombyx with Fabulina fabula also common in many areas. The echinoderms Ophiura albida and Asterias rubens may also be present. The epibiotic biotope MB5-235 may overlap this biotope. This biotope is part of the Abra community defined by Thorson (1957) and the infralittoral etage described by Glemarec (1973).

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MC5214
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 Abra alba

Invertebrates Asterias rubens

Invertebrates Chaetozone setosa

Invertebrates Nucula nitidosa

Invertebrates Ophiura albida

Invertebrates Spiophanes bombyx

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Abra alba		Invertebrates
Asterias rubens		Invertebrates
Chaetozone setosa		Invertebrates
Nucula nitidosa		Invertebrates
Ophiura albida		Invertebrates
Spiophanes bombyx		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.261	Abra alba and Nucula nitidosa in circalittoral muddy sand or slightly mixed sediment	same
European Red List of Habitats	NEAA5.26	Atlantic upper circalittoral muddy sand	wider

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.261	Abra alba and Nucula nitidosa in circalittoral muddy sand or slightly mixed sediment	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A5.242	Spio filicornis and Spiophanes bombyx infralittoral clean or muddy sand	overlap
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.271	Abra alba and Nucula nitidosa in circalittoral muddy sand or slightly mixed sediment	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.252	Spio filicornis and Spiophanes bombyx infralittoral clean or muddy sand	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.271	Abra alba, Nucula nitida and Corbula gibba in circalittoral muddy sand or slightly mixed sediments	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.281	Abra alba, Nucula nitida and Corbula gibba in circalittoral muddy sand or slightly mixed sediments	narrower
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.262	Spio filicornis and Spiophanes bombyx infralittoral clean or muddy sand	narrower
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	CMS.AbrNucCor	Abra alba, Nucula nitida and Corbula gibba in circalittoral muddy sand or slightly mixed sediments	narrower
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	IMS.FaMS.SpiSpi	Spio filicornis and Spiophanes bombyx infralittoral clean or muddy sand	narrower

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