Biodiversity & Conservation

Polydora ciliata, Mya truncata and solitary ascidians in variable salinity infralittoral mixed sediment.

SS.IMX.EstMx.PolMtru

<i>%Polydora ciliata%</i>, <i>%Mya truncata%</i> and solitary ascidians in variable salinity infralittoral mixed sediment.
Distribution map

SS.IMX.EstMx.PolMtru recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

  • EC_Habitats

Species indicative of sensitivity

To assess the sensitivity of the biotope, the sensitivity of component species is reviewed. Those species that are considered to be particularly indicative of the sensitivity of the biotope, and for which research has been undertaken in detail are shown below (see selection criteria). The biology of other component species of the biotope is also taken into account wherever information is known to the researcher.

Species found especially in this biotope

  • Polydora ciliata
  • Mya arenaria
  • Mya truncata
Community Importance Species name Common Name
Important characterizing Polydora ciliata A bristleworm
Important characterizing Mya arenaria Sand gaper
Important characterizing Mya truncata Blunt gaper
Important characterizing Aphelochaeta marioni A bristleworm
Important other Ascidiella scabra A sea squirt
Important other Molgula manhattensis Sea grapes

Explanation

This biotope is distinguished from other similar biotopes by the relative abundance of Polydora ciliata, Aphelochaeta marioni and the presence of Mya arenaria or Mya truncata. Therefore, these species have been included as important characterizing. Solitary ascidians are another characterizing feature of the biotope, so Ascidiella scabra and Molgula manhattensis have been included to represent their sensitivity. Reference has also been made to reviews of other representative species of polychaetes, ascidians, and bivalves in the assessment of sensitivity.

Additional information

The MNCR recorded 398 species within records of this biotope, although not all species occurred in all records (JNCC, 1999).

This review can be cited as follows:

Tyler-Walters, H. 2002. Polydora ciliata, Mya truncata and solitary ascidians 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 19/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/habitatreproduction.php?habitatid=114&code=1997>