Biodiversity & Conservation

Mytilus edulis beds with hydroids and ascidians on tide-swept moderately exposed circalittoral rock

CR.MCR.CMus.CMyt

MCR.MytHAs

Image Anon. - Mytilus edulis beds with hydroids and ascidians on tide-swept moderately exposed circalittoral rock. Image width ca 1m in foreground.
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Distribution map

CR.MCR.CMus.CMyt recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

  • EC_Habitats

Marine natural heritage importance

Listed under EC Habitats Directive
National importance Not available
Habitat Directive feature (Annex 1) Reefs
Large shallow inlets and bays
Estuaries

Biotope importance

Kautsky (1981) reported that subtidal mussel beds in the Baltic Sea were a major food source for the flounder (Platichthys flesus) but probably of only minor importance for eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) and cod (Gadus morhua). Mussel eggs and larvae from mussel beds (including subtidal beds) are probably an important food source for herring larvae and other zooplankton (Kautsky 1981; Seed & Suchanek, 1992). The Mytilus edulis beds probably also form an important food source for starfish and decapod crustaceans, and may provide refuge for others (see ecology). However, little other information was found.

Exploitation

Little information concerning the exploitation of Mytilus edulis or other members of this community was found. For information concerning the exploitation of Mytilus edulis in general please refer to the species review.

Additional information icon Additional information

This biotope is included under the Habitats Directive Annex I features 'Reefs' and 'Estuaries'.

This review can be cited as follows:

Tyler-Walters, H. 2001. Mytilus edulis beds with hydroids and ascidians on tide-swept moderately exposed circalittoral rock. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 24/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/habitatimportance.php?habitatid=208&code=2004>