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 availableSpecies 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 |
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 |
