- Mediterranean mussel
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Mediterranean mussel 
Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Bivalvia Subclass: Pteriomorphia Order: Mytiloida Family: Mytilidae Genus: Mytilus Species: M. galloprovincialis Binomial name Mytilus galloprovincialis
Lamarck, 1819The Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, also known as the bay mussel, blue mussel or Mittelmeer-Miesmuschel [1] is a species of bivalve. It is a marine mollusc in the family Mytilidae.
Contents
Distribution
This species is found in the Mediterranean and around the southern African coast, from the Namibian border to Port Alfred, intertidally to just below the low tide border.[2] The mussels found in Southern California are similar to Mytilus galloprovincialis and are probably introduced accidentally.[3]
Description
This animal grows up to 140 mm in length. It is a smooth-shelled mussel with a slightly broader base than that of the black mussel, with which it is often confused. Its shell is blue-violet[4] or black, but may shade to light brown.[5]
Ecology
The Mediterranean mussel is a filter feeder. It is rare subtidally, which is an alternate means of distinguishing it from the black mussel. It was introduced from Europe in 1984 and is now the dominant low intertidal mussel on the West Coast. It is often found with the white dwarf barnacle, Notomegabalanus algicola growing on its shell. This barnacle gives the mussel protection against the spiny starfish, Marthasterias glacialis.
References
- ^ issg.org
- ^ Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. & Beckley, L.E (2005). Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa ISBN 0-86486-672-0
- ^ Hawaiian Shell News, October 1980
- ^ issg.org
- ^ Day, J.H. 1969. Marine Life on South African Shores Balkema, Cape Town
External links
- Schönitzer V. & Weiss I. M. "The structure of mollusc larval shells formed in the presence of the chitin synthase inhibitor Nikkomycin Z". (2007). BMC Structural Biology 7: 71. doi:10.1186/1472-6807-7-71
- habitas.org
Edible mollusks Bivalves Atlantic jackknife • Atlantic surf • Geoduck • Grooved carpet shell • Hard clam • Horse • Mactra stultorum • Blunt gaper • Ocean quahog • Pacific razor • Pecten jacobaeus • Venus • California butterclam • Senilia senilis • Smooth clam • Soft-shell • Triangle shell • Tuatua • Japanese littleneck • Razor clam • Pod razor • Ensis (razor genus) • PaphiesBlue • Mediterranean • New Zealand green-lipped • California • Brown • Asian/Philippine green • Date • Mytilidae (mussel family)Auckland • Eastern • Olympia • Southern mud • Colchester native • Pacific • Portuguese • Windowpane • Rock • Sydney rock • Ostra chilena/Bluff • Gillardeau oysters • Crassostrea ("true oyster" genus)Gastropods Queen • DogBlack foot opihi/Haiwaiian • China • Common European • Rayed Mediterranean • Ribbed Mediterranean • Rustic • Turtle/Talc • Yellow foot opihi
LandFreshwaterNeritesInkfish Spineless • BottletailChitons Chiton magnificus • Acanthopleura granulataRelated topics: Oyster farming • Land snail farming • Categories:- Mytilidae
- Edible molluscs
- Commercial molluscs
- Animals described in 1819
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