EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MC6 - Circalittoral mud > MC62 - Atlantic circalittoral mud > MC621 - Faunal communities of Atlantic circalittoral mud > MC6218 - Brissopsis lyrifera and Amphiura chiajei in Atlantic circalittoral mud

Brissopsis lyrifera and Amphiura chiajei in Atlantic circalittoral mud

Description (English)

Mud in deep offshore, or shallower stable nearshore, waters can be characterised by the urchin Brissopsis lyrifera and the brittle star Amphiura chiajei. Where intense benthic dredge fishing activity occurs, populations of the indicator species, Brissopsis lyrifera may be depressed, although broken tests may still remain (E.I.S. Rees pers. comm. 1997; M. Costello pers. comm. 1997). Low numbers of the seapen Virgularia mirabilis may be found in many examples of this biotope. In addition, in certain areas of the UK such as the northern Irish Sea, this community may also contain Nephrops norvegicus and can consequently be the focus for fishing activity (Mackie, Oliver & Rees 1995). Infaunal species in this community are similar to those found in MC6-216 and include the polychaetes Nephtys hystricis, Pectinaria belgica, Glycera spp. and Lagis koreni and the bivalves Myrtea spinifera and Nucula sulcata. This community is the 'Boreal Offshore Mud Association' and ' Brissopsis - Chiajei ' communities described by other workers (Petersen 1918; Jones 1950).

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type	code MC6218
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 Amphiura chiajei

Invertebrates Brissopsis lyrifera

Invertebrates Myrtea spinifera

Invertebrates Nephrops norvegicus

Invertebrates Nephtys hystricis

Invertebrates Nucula sulcata

Invertebrates Pectinaria belgica

Invertebrates Virgularia mirabilis

Species scientific name	English common name	Species group
Amphiura chiajei		Invertebrates
Brissopsis lyrifera		Invertebrates
Myrtea spinifera		Invertebrates
Nephrops norvegicus		Invertebrates
Nephtys hystricis		Invertebrates
Nucula sulcata		Invertebrates
Pectinaria belgica		Invertebrates
Virgularia mirabilis		Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012)	A5.363	Brissopsis lyrifera and Amphiura chiajei in circalittoral mud	same

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

History

Classification	Code	Habitat type name	Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410	A5.363	Brissopsis lyrifera and Amphiura chiajei in circalittoral mud	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308	A4.361	Brissopsis lyrifera and Amphiura chiajei in circalittoral mud	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202	A4.361	Brissopsis lyrifera and Amphiura chiajei in circalittoral mud	same
EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910	A4.361	Brissopsis lyrifera and Amphiura chiajei in circalittoral mud	same
MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland)	CMU.BriAchi	Brissopsis lyrifera and Amphiura chiajei in circalittoral mud	same

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