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Concept: [Hediste diversicolor], [Macoma balthica] and [Eteone longa] in littoral muddy sand in the eunishabitats vocabulary

Concept URI http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/eunishabitats/A2.243
Preferred label [Hediste diversicolor], [Macoma balthica] and [Eteone longa] in littoral muddy sand
Definition Fine to very fine muddy sand on the mid shore at the lower extreme of estuaries, and in moderately exposed and sheltered bays and marine inlets, sometimes subject to variable salinity. The infauna is characterised by the polychaetes [Eteone longa], [Hediste diversicolor] (ragworm) and [Pygospio elegans], oligochaetes (mostly [Tubificoides benedii] and [T. pseudogaster]), the crustaceans [Corophium volutator] and [Crangon crangon], the spire shell [Hydrobia ulvae] and the baltic tellin [Macoma balthica]. The cockle [Cerastoderma edule] may be abundant, and the sand gaper [Mya arenaria] may be superabundant, though these species are not always present, or may be missed in core samples due to their large size. The polychaetes [Arenicola marina], [Polydora cornuta] and [Capitella capitata], the shrimp [Crangon crangon], and the Mussel [Mytilus edulis] are sometimes present. Situation: HedMacEte can occur on the mid shore of sheltered, lower estuaries, with the MEST communities in muddier sediments on the lower shore. Under moderately exposed conditions in lower estuaries and towards open coasts, it may occur alongside other muddy sand biotopes such as CerPo or BatCare. Temporal variation: [Enteromorpha] spp. or [Ulva lactuca] may form mats on the surface of the sediment during the summer months, particularly in areas of freshwater influence and/or where there is nutrient enrichment.
Notation A2.243
Status Valid
Status Modified 2014-01-31
Accepted Date 2014-01-31
Not Accepted Date
Has broader
Has exact match