EUNIS habitat classification 2017 > M - Marine benthic habitats > MD6 - Offshore circalittoral mud > MD62 - Atlantic offshore circalittoral mud > MD621 - Faunal communities on Atlantic offshore circalittoral mud > MD6216 - Capitella capitata and Thyasira spp. in organically-enriched Atlantic offshore circalittoral mud and sandy mud

Capitella capitata and Thyasira spp. in organically-enriched Atlantic offshore circalittoral mud and sandy mud

Description (English)

In circalittoral and deep offshore mud and sandy mud adjacent to oil or gas platforms, organic enrichment from drill cuttings leads to the development of communities dominated by the Capitella capitata, an opportunist especially associated with organically enriched and polluted sediments as described for MB6-246 (Warren 1977; Pearson & Rosenberg 1978). The bivalves Thyasira flexuosa or Thyasira sarsi may also be found in moderate numbers at some sites. Other taxa may be present in low numbers in areas of less severe enrichment including Pholoe inornata, Lagis koreni, Philine scabra, Anaitides groenlandica, Mediomastus fragilis and Paramphinome jeffreysii.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code MD6216

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Invertebrates Philine scabra
Species scientific name English common name Species group
Philine scabra Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) A5.374 Capitella capitata and Thyasira spp. in organically-enriched offshore circalittoral mud and 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 A5.374 Capitella capitata and Thyasira spp. in organically-enriched offshore circalittoral mud and sandy mud same
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