Biodiversity & Conservation

Virgularia mirabilis and Ophiura spp. on circalittoral sandy or shelly mud

SS.SMu.CSaMu.VirOphPmax

CMS.VirOph

Image Bernard Picton - Virgularia mirabilis, Cerianthus lloydii with Ophiocomina nigra on shelly muddy gravel. Image width ca XX cm.
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Distribution map

SS.SMu.CSaMu.VirOphPmax recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

  • EC_Habitats
  • UK_BAP

For a list of 2004 characterising species please see the JNCC website.

Map icon UK and Ireland classification

Major habitat SS Sublittoral sediment
Habitat complex SS.SMu Sublittoral cohesive mud and sandy mud communities
Biotope complex SS.SMu.CSaMu Circalittoral sandy mud
Biotope SS.SMu.CSaMu.VirOphPmax Virgularia mirabilis and Ophiura spp. with Pecten maximus on circalittoral sandy or shelly mud

Additional information icon Additional information

CMS.VirOph has more mixed sediment and tends to occur in shallower water than CMU.SpMeg. CMS.VirOph occurs in more mixed sediments and often slightly deeper water than IMU.PhiVir.

This review can be cited as follows:

Hill, J.M. & Wilson, E. 2004. Virgularia mirabilis and Ophiura spp. on circalittoral sandy or shelly mud. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 23/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/habitatclassification.php?habitatid=66&code=2004>