Species composition and biodiversity
Muddy sand habitats tend to support a relatively poor diversity of species, which are
usually found in high abundances. Species present are predominately sessile tube-dwelling
polychaetes with bivalves also well represented (Atkins 1983). Some species characteristic
of subtidal areas may also occur.
Characterising species
For LMS in the UK |
% Frequency |
Faithfulness |
Typical abundance |
Eteone longa |
· · |
· · |
Common |
Hediste diversicolor |
· |
· · |
Occasional |
Nephtys hombergii |
· · |
· · |
Occasional |
Scoloplos armiger |
· · · |
· · · |
Abundant |
Pygospio elegans |
· · · |
· |
Common |
Spio filicornis |
· |
· · · |
Frequent |
Capitella capitata |
· · |
· · |
Frequent |
Arenicola marina |
· · · |
· |
Common |
Oligochaeta indet. |
· · |
· · |
Common |
Bathyporeia pilosa |
· |
· · |
Common |
Bathyporeia sarsi |
· · |
· · |
Frequent |
Corophium arenarium |
· · |
· · |
Common |
Corophium volutator |
· |
· · |
Common |
Crangon crangon |
· · |
· · |
Common |
Hydrobia ulvae |
· · |
· · |
Common |
Cerastoderma edule |
· · · · |
· · |
Common |
Macoma balthica |
· · · · |
· · |
Common |
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References
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