Atlantic circalittoral mud
Description (English)
The seapens Virgularia mirabilis and Pennatula phosphorea are characteristic of this biotope complex together with the burrowing anemone Cerianthus lloydii and the ophiuroid Amphiura spp. The relatively stable conditions often lead to the establishment of communities of burrowing megafaunal species, such as Nephrops norvegicus.
Circalittoral, cohesive sandy mud, typically with over 20% silt/clay, generally occurs in water depths of over 10m, with weak or very weak tidal streams. This habitat is generally found in deeper areas of bays and marine inlets or offshore from less wave exposed coasts. Sea pens such as Virgularia mirabilis and brittlestars such as Amphiura spp. are particularly characteristic of this habitat whilst infaunal species include the tube building polychaetes Lagis koreni and Owenia fusiformis, and deposit feeding bivalves such as Mysella bidentata and Abra spp.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code MC62 |
---|---|
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
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A5.36 | Circalittoral fine mud | narrower |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A5.3 | Sublittoral mud | wider |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A5.35 | Circalittoral sandy mud | narrower |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) | A5 | Sublittoral sediment | wider |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A5.36 | Circalittoral fine mud | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A5.3 | Sublittoral mud | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A5.35 | Circalittoral sandy mud | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A5 | Sublittoral sediment | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A4.74 | Animal communities of deep circalittoral muddy bottoms | narrower | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A4 | Sublittoral sediment | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A4.36 | Animal communities of circalittoral muds | wider | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A4.3 | Sublittoral mud | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A4.36 | Animal communities of circalittoral muds | wider | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A4.3 | Sublittoral muds | narrower | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A4.74 | Animal communities of deep circalittoral muddy bottoms | narrower | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A4 | Sublittoral sediments | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A4.36 | Animal communities of circalittoral muds | wider | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A4 | Sublittoral sediments | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A4.3 | Sublittoral muds | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A4 | Sublittoral sediments | same | |
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199712 | X16 | Sublittoral sediments | same | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 11.22 | Sublittoral soft seabeds | narrower | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 199905 | 11.23 | Sublittoral pebbly seabeds | narrower | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 11.23 | Sublittoral pebbly seabeds | narrower | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1997 | 11.22 | Sublittoral soft seabeds | narrower | |
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 11.23 | narrower | ||
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1996 | 11.22 | narrower | ||
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 11.22 | narrower | ||
Palaearctic Habitat Classification 1993 | 11.23 | narrower | ||
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 11.23 | narrower | ||
CORINE Biotopes Classification 1991 | 11.22 | narrower | ||
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | SS | Sublittoral sediments | same |