Owenia fusiformis and Amphiura filiformis in deep circalittoral sand or muddy sand
Description (English)
Areas of slightly muddy sand (generally <20% mud) in offshore waters may be characterised by high numbers of the tube building polychaete Owenia fusiformis often with the brittlestar Amphiura filiformis. Whilst O. fusiformis is also found in other circalittoral or offshore biotopes it usually occurs in lower abundances than in A5.272. Other species found in this community are the polychaetes Goniada maculata, Pholoe inornata, Diplocirrus glaucus, Chaetozone setosa and Spiophanes kroyeri with occasional bivalves such as Timoclea ovata and Thyasira equalis. The sea cucumber Labidoplax buski and the cumacean Eudorella truncatula are also commonly often found in this biotope.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code A5.272 |
|---|---|
| Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A5) |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Invertebrates
Amphiura filiformis
Invertebrates
Chaetozone setosa
Invertebrates
Owenia fusiformis
Invertebrates
Timoclea ovata
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Amphiura filiformis | Invertebrates | |
| Chaetozone setosa | Invertebrates | |
| Owenia fusiformis | Invertebrates | |
| Timoclea ovata | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | SS.SSa.OSa.OfusAfil | <I>Owenia fusiformis</I> and <I>Amphiura filiformis</I> in offshore circalittoral sand or muddy sand | source |
| CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.3. | Sea and ocean | n/a |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A5.272 | Owenia fusiformis and Amphiura filiformis in deep circalittoral sand or muddy sand | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A4.272 | Amphiura filiformis and Echinocardium cordatum in circalittoral clean or slightly muddy sand | wider |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A4.272 | Amphiura filiformis and Echinocardium cordatum in circalittoral clean or slightly muddy sand | overlap |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A4.282 | Amphiura filiformis and Echinocardium cordatum in circalittoral clean or slightly muddy sand | overlap |
| MNCR BioMar 97.06 (Britain & Ireland) | CMS.AfilEcor | Amphiura filiformis and Echinocardium cordatum in circalittoral clean or slightly muddy sand | overlap |
