Cirratulids and Cerastoderma edule in littoral mixed sediment
Description (English)
Sheltered mixed sediments, usually subject to variable salinity conditions. Banks of shell may be present. The infauna is very diverse, dominated by a range of polychaetes including Exogone naidina, Sphaerosyllis taylori, Pygospio elegans, Chaetozone gibber, Cirriformia tentaculata, Aphelochaeta marioni, Capitella capitata, Mediomastus fragilis, and Melinna palmata. The oligochaetes Tubificoides benedii and T. pseudogaster are abundant, as is the cockle Cerastoderma edule. A large range of amphipods may occur, including Melita palmata, Microprotopus maculatus, Aora gracilis and Corophium volutator. The bivalves Abra alba and A. nitida may occur. The barnacle Elminius modestus can be abundant where the sediment has stones on the surface. Epifaunal algae may occur attached to stable cobbles on the sediment surface.
Situation: Mid shore, lower shore, as extension of shallow sublittoral biotope.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code A2.421 |
|---|---|
| Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A2.4) |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Invertebrates
Abra alba
Invertebrates
Aora gracilis
Invertebrates
Aphelochaeta marioni
Invertebrates
Capitella capitata
Invertebrates
Cerastoderma edule
Invertebrates
Chaetozone gibber
Invertebrates
Cirriformia tentaculata
Invertebrates
Corophium volutator
Invertebrates
Elminius modestus
Invertebrates
Exogone naidina
Invertebrates
Mediomastus fragilis
Invertebrates
Melinna palmata
Invertebrates
Melita palmata
Invertebrates
Microprotopus maculatus
Invertebrates
Pygospio elegans
Invertebrates
Sphaerosyllis taylori
Invertebrates
Tubificoides benedii
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Abra alba | Invertebrates | |
| Aora gracilis | Invertebrates | |
| Aphelochaeta marioni | Invertebrates | |
| Capitella capitata | Invertebrates | |
| Cerastoderma edule | Invertebrates | |
| Chaetozone gibber | Invertebrates | |
| Cirriformia tentaculata | Invertebrates | |
| Corophium volutator | Invertebrates | |
| Elminius modestus | Invertebrates | |
| Exogone naidina | Invertebrates | |
| Mediomastus fragilis | Invertebrates | |
| Melinna palmata | Invertebrates | |
| Melita palmata | Invertebrates | |
| Microprotopus maculatus | Invertebrates | |
| Pygospio elegans | Invertebrates | |
| Sphaerosyllis taylori | Invertebrates | |
| Tubificoides benedii | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | LS.LMx.Mx.CirCer | Cirratulids and <I>Cerastoderma edule</I> in littoral mixed sediment | source |
| CORINE Land Cover | 4.2.3. | Intertidal flats | n/a |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A2.421 | Cirratulids and Cerastoderma edule in littoral mixed sediment | wider |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A2.423 | Syllid and cirratulid polychaetes in variable salinity muddy gravel shores | wider |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A2.422 | Syllid and cirratulid polychaetes in poorly sorted mixed sediment shores | wider |
