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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