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 | Annex I habitat types (EU Habitats Directive) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007 | Annex I: natural habitat types of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation | Large shallow inlets and bays | 1160 | Overlap | http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Invertebrates
Nephrops norvegicus
Invertebrates
Virgularia mirabilis
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Nephrops norvegicus | 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 |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
