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 > MD6219 - Myrtea spinifera and polychaetes in Atlantic offshore circalittoral sandy mud

Myrtea spinifera and polychaetes in Atlantic offshore circalittoral sandy mud

Description (English)

Deep, offshore habitats with cohesive sandy mud (>20% mud) may support communities characterised by infaunal polychaetes and the bivalve Myrtea spinifera. Polychaetes typically include Chaetozone setosa, Paramphinome jeffreysii, Levinsenia gracilis, Aricidea catherinae and Prionospio malmgreni. The bivalves Thyasira spp. and Abra nitida may also be found as may seapens, such as Pennatula phosphorea. Some examples of the unit MC6-213 contain Myrtea spinifera (Mackie 1990) in lower numbers but these habitats are generally sandier than those in MD6-219.
Situation: This biotope has been recorded in the northern North Sea but may also exist in the Irish Sea.

Source: EUNIS habitat classification

Quick facts

EUNIS habitat type code MD6219

Vegetation types

Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)

Not available

Species mentioned in habitat description

Invertebrates Chaetozone setosa
Invertebrates Levinsenia gracilis
Species scientific name English common name Species group
Chaetozone setosa Invertebrates
Levinsenia gracilis Invertebrates

Other classifications

Classification Code Habitat type name Relationship type
EUNIS Habitat Classification 2007 (revised descriptions 2012) A5.377 Myrtea spinifera and polychaetes in offshore 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 A5.377 Myrtea spinifera and polychaetes in offshore circalittoral sandy mud same
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