Biodiversity & Conservation

Venerid bivalves in circalittoral coarse sand or gravel

CGS.Ven

Image Anon. - Neopentadactyla mixta and venerid bivalves in circalittoral shell gravel or coarse sand. Image width ca XXm.
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Distribution map

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.

Explanation

The species which define the biotope are the venerid bivalves. However, there is not one species which is particularly characteristic of the biotope and would result in loss of the biotope should the species disappear. Therefore the sensitivity of the biotope is based on the sensitivity of venerid bivalves as a group. The sensitivity of other characterizing species in the biotope is also taken into account where it is of particular relevance to the factor under consideration.

Additional information

The MNCR recorded ca 650 species within this biotope, although not all species occurred in all records of the biotope (JNCC, 1999).

This review can be cited as follows:

Rayment, W.J. 2001. Venerid bivalves in circalittoral coarse sand or gravel. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 19/06/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/habitatreproduction.php?habitatid=63&code=1997>