Biodiversity & Conservation

Crepidula fornicata and Aphelochaeta marioni in variable salinity infralittoral mixed sediment

SS.SMx.SMxVS.CreMed

IMX.CreAph

Image Chris Lumb - Crepidula fornicata and Aphelochaeta marioni in variable salinity infralittoral mixed sediment. Image width ca 60 cm.
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Distribution map

SS.SMx.SMxVS.CreMed recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

  • EC_Habitats
  • UK_BAP

Marine natural heritage importance

Listed under EC Habitats Directive
UK Biodiversity Action Plan
National importance Not available
Habitat Directive feature (Annex 1) Estuaries
Lagoons

Biotope importance

Many species in the biotope, for example the polychaetes and crustaceans, are likely to provide a food source for estuarine fish such as gobies (Pomatoschistus sp.) and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) (Reise, 1985; Elliot et al., 1998). The biotope is only exposed at low water spring tides and therefore is probably not an important feeding ground for shore birds.

Exploitation

There is no evidence that any of the species in this biotope are exploited commercially.
In response to the invasion of shellfisheries by Crepidula fornicata, some management has been attempted. Sauriau et al. (1998) and Cole & Hancock (1956) reported dredging operations to clear slipper limpets from oyster beds, but concluded that further spread of the species could not be prevented.

Additional information icon Additional information

IMX.CreAph is related to the biotopes named in the Sheltered Muddy Gravels Habitat Action Plan.

This review can be cited as follows:

Rayment, W.J. 2001. Crepidula fornicata and Aphelochaeta marioni in variable salinity infralittoral mixed sediment. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 25/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/habitatimportance.php?habitatid=52&code=2004>