Mytilus edulis beds on littoral mixed substrata
Quick facts
EUNIS habitat type | code A2.7211 |
---|---|
Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A2.72) |
Description (English)
Mid and lower shore mixed substrata (mainly cobbles and pebbles on fine sediments) in a wide range of exposure conditions and with aggregations of the mussel Mytilus edulis colonising mainly the sediment between cobbles, though they can extend onto the cobbles themselves. The mussel aggregations can be very dense and support various age classes. In high densities the mussels bind the substratum and provide a habitat for many infaunal and epifaunal species. The wrack Fucus vesiculosus is often found attached to either the mussels or the cobbles and it can occur at high abundance. The mussels are also usually encrusted with the barnacles Semibalanus balanoides, Elminius modestus or Chtamalus spp., especially in areas of reduced salinity. The winkles Littorina littorea and L. saxatilis and small individuals of the crab Carcinus maenas are common amongst the mussels, whilst areas of sediment may contain the lugworm Arenicola marina, the sand mason Lanice conchilega and other infaunal species. Pools are often found within the mussel beds that support algae such as Chondrus crispus. Where boulders are present they can support the limpet Patella vulgata, the dogwhelk Nucella lapillus and the anemone Actinia equina. Ostrea edulis may occur on the lowest part of the shore. There are few infaunal samples for this biotope, hence the characterising species list below shows only epifauna. Where infaunal samples have been collected for this biotope, they contain a highly diverse range of species including nematodes, Anaitides mucosa, Hediste diversicolor, Polydora spp., Pygospio elegans, Eteone longa, oligochaetes such as Tubificoides spp., Semibalanus balanoides, a range of gammarid amphipods, Corophium volutator, Jaera forsmani, Crangon crangon, Carcinus maenas, Hydrobia ulvae and Macoma balthica.
Situation: On more exposed, predominantly rocky shores this biotope can be found below a band of ephemeral green seaweeds (unit A2.821). On sheltered, predominantly rocky shores either a F. vesiculosus dominated biotope or a biotope dominated by the wrack Ascophyllum nodosum (units A1.3132; A1.3142) can be found above or the barnacle dominated biotope (A1.1133). This biotope is also found in lower shore tide-swept areas, such as in the tidal narrows of Scottish sealochs.
Temporal variation: Under sheltered conditions, pseudofaeces may build up over time, creating a layer of mud and changing the biotope to unit A2.7213. Where the stability of the mussed bed depends on the mussels being attached to stable cobbles, a build-up of mud from pseudofaeces may prevent this attachment, making the mussel bed unstable and liable to be washed away during storms.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
---|---|---|
Ascophyllum nodosum | Algae | |
Chondrus crispus | Algae | |
Fucus vesiculosus | Algae | |
Actinia equina | Invertebrates | |
Arenicola marina | Invertebrates | |
Carcinus maenas | Invertebrates | |
Corophium volutator | Invertebrates | |
Crangon crangon | Invertebrates | |
Elminius modestus | Invertebrates | |
Eteone longa | Invertebrates | |
Hydrobia ulvae | Invertebrates | |
Jaera forsmani | Invertebrates | |
Lanice conchilega | Invertebrates | |
Littorina littorea | Invertebrates | |
Macoma balthica | Invertebrates | |
Mytilus edulis | Invertebrates | |
Nucella lapillus | Dog whelk | Invertebrates |
Ostrea edulis | Flat oyster | Invertebrates |
Patella vulgata | Invertebrates | |
Pygospio elegans | Invertebrates | |
Semibalanus balanoides | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | LS.LBR.LMus.Myt.Mx | <I>Mytilus edulis</I> beds on littoral mixed substrata | source |
CORINE Land Cover | 4.2.3. | Intertidal flats | n/a |
History
Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
---|---|---|---|
EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A2.7211 | Mytilus edulis beds on littoral mixed substrata | same |