EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MC6 - Circalittoral mud > MC62 - Atlantic circalittoral mud > MC621 - Faunal communities of Atlantic circalittoral mud > MC6215 - Lagis koreni and Phaxas pellucidus in Atlantic circalittoral sandy mud

Lagis koreni and Phaxas pellucidus in Atlantic circalittoral sandy mud

Description (English)

In stable circalittoral sandy mud dense populations of the tube building polychaete Lagis koreni may occur. Other species found in this habitat typically include bivalves such as Phaxas pellucidus, Mysella bidentata and Abra alba and polychaetes such as Mediomastus fragilis, Spiophanes bombyx, Owenia fusiformis and Scalibregma inflatum. At the sediment surface easily visible fauna include Lagis koreni and Ophiura ophiura. Lagis koreni is an important source of food for commercially important demersal fish, especially dab and plaice (Macer, 1967; Lockwood, 1980 and Basimi & Grove, 1985).
Temporal variation: In some areas e.g. Liverpool Bay, MC5-214 and MC6-215 have exhibited cyclical behaviour with the community periodically switching from one biotope to another - possibly in relation to dredge spoil disposal (Rees et al. 1992) along with other environmental and biological factors. Both Lagis koreni and Phaxas pellucidus, are capable of tolerating sudden increases in the deposition of sediment and often dominate such areas following such an event. Indeed it is likely that the two biotopes are merely different aspects of the same community as Lagis koreni is often recorded with high densities of Abra alba (Eagle 1975; Rees and Walker 1983). Densities of mature populations of L. koreni may exceed 1000 per square metre.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code MC6215
Relation to Resolution 4 habitat type (used for designation of Emerald sites)

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Invertebrates Abra alba
Invertebrates Mysella bidentata
Invertebrates Owenia fusiformis
Invertebrates Phaxas pellucidus
Invertebrates Scalibregma inflatum
Invertebrates Spiophanes bombyx
Species scientific name English common name Species group
Abra alba Invertebrates
Mysella bidentata Invertebrates
Owenia fusiformis Invertebrates
Phaxas pellucidus Invertebrates
Scalibregma inflatum Invertebrates
Spiophanes bombyx Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) A5.355 Lagis koreni and Phaxas pellucidus in circalittoral sandy mud same
For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 A5.355 Lagis koreni and Phaxas pellucidus in circalittoral sandy mud same
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