MC2-232 - Moulières à Modiolus modiolus sur sédiment hétérogène du circalittoral en milieu ouvert en Atlantique

Modiolus modiolus beds on open coast Atlantic circalittoral mixed sediment

Classification des habitats EUNIS 2022

Descriptif de l'habitat

Muddy gravels and coarse sands in deeper water of continental seas may contain venerid bivalves with beds of Modiolus modiolus. The clumping of the byssus threads of the M. modiolus creates a stable habitat that attracts a very rich infaunal community with a high density of polychaete species including Glycera lapidum, Paradoneis lyra, Aonides paucibranchiata, Laonice bahusiensis, Protomystides bidentata, Lumbrineris spp., Mediomastus fragilis and syllids such as Exogone spp. and Sphaerosyllis spp. Bivalves such as Spisula elliptica, Timoclea ovata and other venerid species are also common. Brittlestars such as Amphipholis squamata may also occur with this community. This biotope is very similar to MD4-211 and the 'boreal off-shore gravel association' and the 'deep Venus community' described by previous workers (Ford 1923; Jones 1951). Similar Modiolus beds (though with a less diverse infauna) on open coast stable boulders, cobbles and sediment are described under MC1-221.

Bibliographie

European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity 2022. EUNIS marine habitat classification 2022 including crosswalks. Table Excel. (Source)