Description of biotope or habitat type
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Mytilus edulis and Fucus vesiculosus on moderately exposed mid eulittoral rock
Physical habitat description
| Salinity | Full (30-35 ppt) |
|---|---|
| Wave exposure | Exposed, Moderately exposed |
| Tidal streams | |
| Substratum | Bedrock; large boulders |
| Zone | Eulittoral - mid |
| Depth Band | Mid shore |
| Other Features | Silted habitat |
Download comparative physical and biological data. The comparative tables enable a rapid comparison of the species composition and principal physical characteristics between a given set of biotopes.
- Records used to define the biotope (core records)
- Other records assigned to this biotope, marked as 'certain'
- Other records assigned to this biotope, marked as 'uncertain'
Point data based on records in the UK Marine Recorder Snapshot.
Description
Mid eulittoral exposed to moderately exposed bedrock, often with nearby sediment, covered by a dense band or large patches of the mussel Mytilus edulis. The community often supports scattered Fucus vesiculosus and occasional foliose red seaweeds such as Porphyra umbilicalis, Osmundea pinnatifida, Mastocarpus stellatus, Palmaria palmata or the calcareous algae Corallina officinalis . The ephemeral green seaweeds Ulva intestinalis and Ulva lactuca commonly occur on the shells of the mussels. The barnacle Semibalanus balanoides is common on both the mussel valves and on patches of bare rock, where the limpet Patella vulgata also can be found. The whelk Nucella lapillus and the winkle Littorina littorea can be found within the mussel bed.
Situation
Above this biotope is a M. edulis and S. balanoides dominated biotope (Sem) or a F. vesiculosus dominated biotope (FvesB). In the lower eulittoral zone below MytFves is a biotope dominated by the wrack Fucus serratus, M. edulis and a higher diversity of red seaweeds (MytFR; Fser.R).
Temporal variation
Unknown.
Characterising species
| Taxon | Relative importance of taxon for defining this community (%) | Typical abundance - SACFOR scale | % of core records where taxon was recorded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mytilus edulis | 26 | Abundant | 81-100% |
| Semibalanus balanoides | 15 | Common | 81-100% |
| Patella vulgata | 11 | Common | 81-100% |
| Fucus vesiculosus | 10 | Common | 81-100% |
| Nucella lapillus | 9 | Occasional | 81-100% |
| Littorina littorea | 5 | Frequent | 41-60% |
| Ulva intestinalis | 3 | Frequent | 61-80% |
| Porphyra umbilicalis | 3 | Occasional | 41-60% |
| Ulva lactuca | 2 | Occasional | 21-40% |
| Corallina officinalis | 1 | Occasional | 41-60% |
| Mastocarpus stellatus | 1 | Occasional | 21-40% |
| Osmundea pinnatifida | 1 | Occasional | 41-60% |
| Palmaria palmata | 1 | Common | 21-40% |
Similar biotopes or habitat types
LR.HLR.MusB.MytB
Occurs on more exposed shores. Has lower species richness with the notable absence of species such as F. vesiculosus and L. littorea.
LR.MLR.MusF.MytFR
Occurs in similar wave exposure but in the lower eulittoral zone. F. serratus dominates and F. vesiculosus is usually absent. Kelp such as Laminaria digitata can be present and usually the abundance of the red seaweeds is higher.
LS.LBR.LMus.Myt
Occurs on mixed substrata, typically in more sheltered conditions. F. vesiculosus can be present at low abundance (Occasional) while L. littorea occurs in higher density. Red seaweeds are scarce and the barnacle Austrominius modestus can be present.Classification history of this biotope or habitat type
| Classification version | Code |
|---|---|
| 1997 (97.06) | MLR.MytFves |
| 1996 (6.95) | MLR.Myt.Fves |
