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LS.LSa.FiSa.Po.Pful
Polychaetes, including Paraonis fulgens, in littoral fine sand
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Habitat (physical) description
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Distribution
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| Salinity:
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Full (30-35 ppt), Variable (18-35 ppt) |
| Wave exposure:
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Moderately exposed, Sheltered, Very sheltered, Extremely sheltered |
| Tidal streams:
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| Substratum:
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Medium and fine sand |
| Zone:
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| Depth Band:
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Lower shore, Mid shore, Upper shore |
| Other Features:
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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.
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Previous code
This biotope occurred in previous versions of the classification as:
LGS.S.AP.P (part) - Version: 97.06
LGS.S.AP.Pon (part) - Version: 97.06
LSND.AP - Version: 6.95
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Distribution of habitat LS.LSa.FiSa.Po.Pful Polychaetes, including Paraonis fulgens, in littoral fine sand, based on records on the JNCC marine database. Red dots represent records on which the biotope is based. Blue dots show orther certain records, black dots show records tentatively assigned to this biotope.
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Biotope description
This biotope occurs mainly on the mid and lower shore of moderately wave-exposed coasts, with medium and fine clean sand which remains damp throughout the tidal cycle and contains little organic matter. The sediment is often rippled and typically lacks an anoxic sub-surface layer. Polychaetes make up the greater part of the community, and are dominated by Paraonis fulgens, Capitella capitata, Pygospio elegans, Ophelia rathkei and Eteone longa. The presence of polychaetes may be seen as coloured burrows running down from the surface of the sediment. Nemerteans may also be present. The amphipods Bathyporeia pilosa and B. sarsi are often present.
Situation
Po.Pful may be present higher up on the shore than Po.Aten, or lower down than the AmSco communities or Ol.FS. The strandline community Tal may be present on the same shore where driftlines of decomposing seaweed and other debris occur on the upper shore.
Temporal variation
The infauna of this biotope may be reduced during winter, as increased storminess and wave action increases sediment mobility and may lead to some species migrating or being washed out of the sediment. The lugworm Arenicola marina may be present occasionally, usually as a temporary recruitment and is likely to be washed out during storms.
Similar biotopes
Characterising Species
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Taxa
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Frequency
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Typical Abundance
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% Contribution to similarity
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Abundance (no.2)
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| Nemertea
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P
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6
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36
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| Nematoda
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F
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2
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50
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| Eteone longa
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A
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4
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50
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| Streptosyllis websteri
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P
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2
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27
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| Nephtys cirrosa
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P
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1
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8
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| Scoloplos armiger
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F
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2
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43
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| Aricidea
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P
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2
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31
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| Paraonis fulgens
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A
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34
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240
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| Pygospio elegans
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C
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6
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288
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| Spio martinensis
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P
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2
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102
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| Capitella capitata
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C
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7
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410
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| Arenicola marina
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F
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1
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39
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| Ophelia rathkei
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C
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5
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136
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| Oligochaeta
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P
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1
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37
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| Bathyporeia pilosa
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C
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16
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1102
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| Bathyporeia sarsi
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C
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4
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125
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| Haustorius arenarius
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F
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1
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13
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Example photographs of biotope
No characteristic photos currently available.
If you are able to provide a photograph of this biotope please contact
.
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This report should be cited as:
DAVID W. CONNOR, JAMES H. ALLEN, NEIL GOLDING, KERRY L. HOWELL, LOUISE M.
LIEBERKNECHT, KATE O. NORTHEN AND JOHNNY B. REKER (2004)
The Marine Habitat Classification for Britain and Ireland Version 04.05 JNCC,
Peterborough
ISBN 1 861 07561 8 (internet version)
jncc.defra.gov.uk/MarineHabitatClassification