Horse mussel beds - Modiolus modiolus beds with Chlamys varia, sponges, hydroids and bryozoans on slightly tide-swept very sheltered circalittoral mixed substrata (Priority Marine Feature) (SNH WMS)

The Priority Marine Feature (PMF) list contains 81 habitats and species considered to be of conservation importance in Scotland's seas. It includes many features which are characteristic of the Scottish marine environment, ranging from flame shell beds in coastal waters, to cold-water coral reefs of the deeper seas, and mobile species such as minke whale and basking shark.

This layer shows the distribution of Horse mussel (Modiolus modiolus) beds with Chlamys varia, sponges, hydroids and bryozoans on slightly tide-swept very sheltered circalittoral mixed substrata. They are found in very sheltered conditions at depths of between 5-30m, the mussel beds support a variety of organisms including the variable scallop, brittlestars, feather stars, crabs, sponges, sea firs, sea mats, and sea squirts. Only a few records occur from the west coast sea lochs, Skye and Bluemull Sound, Shetland.