Echinocyamus pusillus, Ophelia borealis and Abra prismatica in circalittoral fine sand
Description (English)
Circalittoral and offshore medium to fine sand (from 40m to 140m) characterised by the pea urchin Echinocyamus pusillus, the polychaete Ophelia borealis and the bivalve Abra prismatica. Other species may include the polychaetes Spiophanes bombyx, Pholoe sp., Exogone spp., Sphaerosyllis bulbosa, Goniada maculata, Chaetozone setosa, Owenia fusiformis, Glycera lapidum, Lumbrineris latreilli and Aricidea cerrutii and the bivalves Thracia phaseolina and Moerella pygmaea and to a lesser extent Spisula elliptica and Timoclea ovata. This biotope has been found in the central and northern North Sea.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code A5.251 |
|---|---|
| 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
Abra prismatica
Invertebrates
Chaetozone setosa
Invertebrates
Echinocyamus pusillus
Invertebrates
Glycera lapidum
Invertebrates
Ophelia borealis
Invertebrates
Owenia fusiformis
Invertebrates
Spiophanes bombyx
Invertebrates
Spisula elliptica
Invertebrates
Timoclea ovata
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Abra prismatica | Invertebrates | |
| Chaetozone setosa | Invertebrates | |
| Echinocyamus pusillus | Invertebrates | |
| Glycera lapidum | Invertebrates | |
| Ophelia borealis | Invertebrates | |
| Owenia fusiformis | Invertebrates | |
| Spiophanes bombyx | Invertebrates | |
| Spisula elliptica | Invertebrates | |
| Timoclea ovata | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | SS.SSa.CFiSa.EpusOborApri | <I>Echinocyamus pusillus</I>, <I>Ophelia borealis</I> and <I>Abra prismatica</I> in circalittoral fine 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 | A5.251 | Echinocyamus pusillus, Ophelia borealis and Abra prismatica in circalittoral fine sand | same |
