Biodiversity & Conservation

Ampharete falcata turf with Parvicardium ovale on cohesive muddy very fine sand near margins of deep stratified seas

COS.COS.AmpPar

COS.AmpPar

Image Matthew Service - Ampharete falcata turf with Nephrops sp. from the southern edge of the north west Irish Sea. Image with ca 2 m.
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Distribution map

COS.COS.AmpPar recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

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.

Community Importance Species name Common Name
Key Structuring Ampharete falcata A polychaete
Important characterizing Parvicardium ovale A bivalve
Important Structural Amphiura filiformis A brittlestar

Explanation

The key structural species in the biotope is the polychaete Ampharete falcata which creates a turf of tubes protruding from soft sediment. The small cockle Parvicardium ovale and the brittlestars Amphiura filiformis and Amphiura chiajei are superabundant in the biotope. When present in high enough numbers the burrowing activities of Amphiura filiformis can modify the stability of the sediment.

Additional information

There is little information available on the two key species, Ampharete falcata and Parvicardium ovale and individual species reviews have not been carried out.

This review can be cited as follows:

Hill, J.M. 2001. Ampharete falcata turf with Parvicardium ovale on cohesive muddy very fine sand near margins of deep stratified seas. 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/habitatreproduction.php?habitatid=75&code=1997>