Burrowed mud

What is it: 

In areas where this habitat is undisturbed it is extensively burrowed by several species including the commercially important Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus). It also supports a number of characteristic and important species such as the fireworks anemone (Pachycerianthus multiplicatus) and the tall sea pen (Funiculina quadrangularis). This habitat type is concentrated within Scottish waters. Ninety-five percent of UK records of inshore and deep burrowed mud are from the northern North Sea and the sea lochs of western Scotland and the Hebrides and are of international importance.

There are 6 layers, representing a number of important burrowed mud communities and species:

  1. Seapens and burrowing megafauna in circalittoral fine mud
  2. Burrowing megafauna and Maxmuelleria lankesteri in circalittoral mud
  3. Tall seapen - Funiculina quadrangularis
  4. Fireworks anemone - Pachycerianthus multiplicatus
  5. Mud burrowing amphipod - Maera loveni
  6. Other burrowed mud habitats
Links to Scotland's Marine Atlas: 
Chapter 4: Inshore and Shelf Subtidal Sediments
Data originators: 
EMODnet Seabed Habitats
Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)
Marine Life Information Network (MARLIN)
NatureScot
This information page is part of the theme: 
Inshore and Shelf Subtidal Sediments
Burrowing Megafauna and Maxmuelleria - Copyright © SNH
More Information: 

Six layers cover:

1. Seapens and burrowing megafauna in circalittoral fine mud - Extensively distributed throughout the sea lochs of the west coast, Hebrides and voes of Shetland it occurs at depths of between 10-100m. It supports a diverse burrowing fauna and in particular various seapens in the deeper, sheltered areas. The majority of the UK records are from Scotland.

2. Burrowing megafauna and maxmuelleria lankesteri in circalittoral mud - Found at depths of 10-100m in sheltered and extremely sheltered conditions in sea lochs on the west coast of Scotland and the Outer Hebrides. The great majority of UK records are from Scotland.

3. Tall Sea Pen - Found in deep sheltered waters up to 200m depth it has also been recorded from as shallow as 20m in some sea lochs. In the UK it is almost entirely restricted to western Scotland and the Hebrides; Scottish populations are considered of global importance.

4. Fireworks Anemone - This large burrowing sea anemone lives in a long thick tube buried in mud or muddy sand at depths of 10-130m in very sheltered areas. It is restricted to a number of sea lochs on the west coast of Scotland. It is nationally scarce in the UK, Scottish populations represent 95% of all records and are of international and possibly global importance.

5. Mud burrowing amphipod - Maera loveni, is a mud-dwelling infaunal amphipod, which lives in depths of 20-400 m. It is a northern cold water species that has reached its southern limit in Scotland where it is sparsely distributed around the coast. 95% of British records are from sea lochs and the northern North Sea.

6. Other burrowed mud habitats.

This page was last modified on : 
Thursday, March 1, 2018 - 15:49

Links and Resources

Map Type Click title for metadata and licence informationsort descending Date of data View Map
Map Layers (NMPi) Burrowed mud Access this map on NMPi
Type Title External link
Reports SNH Commissioned Report 406: Descriptions of Scottish Priority Marine Features (PMFs) www.nature.scot
Web link JNCC – Marine Habitats Classification Hierarchy mhc.jncc.gov.uk
Web link JNCC - Sea-pen and burrowing megafauna communities jncc.defra.gov.uk
Web link SNH - Marine habitats www.nature.scot
Web link SNH - Priority Marine Features www.nature.scot
Web link JNCC - Priority Marine Features jncc.defra.gov.uk