EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MC6 - Circalittoral mud > MC62 - Atlantic circalittoral mud > MC621 - Faunal communities of Atlantic circalittoral mud > MC6216 - Seapens and burrowing megafauna in Atlantic circalittoral fine mud > MC62161 - Seapens, including Funiculina quadrangularis, and burrowing megafauna in undisturbed Atlantic circalittoral fine mud

Seapens, including Funiculina quadrangularis, and burrowing megafauna in undisturbed Atlantic circalittoral fine mud

Description (English)

Deep muds, especially in sealochs, support forests of the nationally scarce Funiculina quadrangularis, in addition to populations of the seapens Virgularia mirabilis and Pennatula phosphorea. The sediment is usually extensively burrowed by crustaceans, the most common of which is Nephrops norvegicus, but Calocaris macandreae and Callianassa subterranea may also be present (the latter is likely to be under-recorded by grab sampling because it is deep burrowing). The burrowing anemone Cerianthus lloydii is present in low numbers in this biotope and the rare anemone Pachycerianthus multiplicatus may also be found occasionally. Amphiura spp. are also often present in high densities.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code MC62161
Relation to Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive)

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Invertebrates Callianassa subterranea
Invertebrates Funiculina quadrangularis
Invertebrates Nephrops norvegicus
Invertebrates Pachycerianthus multiplicatus
Invertebrates Virgularia mirabilis
Species scientific name English common name Species group
Callianassa subterranea Invertebrates
Funiculina quadrangularis Invertebrates
Nephrops norvegicus Invertebrates
Pachycerianthus multiplicatus Invertebrates
Virgularia mirabilis Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) A5.3611 Seapens, including Funiculina quadrangularis, and burrowing megafauna in undisturbed circalittoral fine mud same
For relation to plant communities (syntaxa), see Vegetation types

History

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type Comment
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 A5.3611 Seapens, including Funiculina quadrangularis, and burrowing megafauna in undisturbed circalittoral fine mud same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 A4.3621 Seapens, including Funiculina quadrangularis, and burrowing megafauna in undisturbed circalittoral soft mud same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 A4.3621 Seapens, including Funiculina quadrangularis, and burrowing megafauna in undisturbed circalittoral soft mud same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 A4.3621 Seapens, including Funiculina quadrangularis, and burrowing megafauna in undisturbed circalittoral soft mud same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) CMU.SpMeg.Fun Seapens, including Funiculina quadrangularis, and burrowing megafauna in undisturbed circalittoral soft mud same
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