#mytilidae

[drhoz]

#3570 - Brachidontes ustulatus

A mussel found on Western Australian and South Australian shorelines. Alive, the shells are purple with dark brown, almost black, bands, but fade to white after death.

Port Kennedy Scientic Park, Perth

[rattyexplores]

That's a lot of mussels.

14/10/23 - Mytilidae sp.

QLD:WET - Garner's Beach

[oceansoftheworld]

(Photo/Info)

Mussel is the common name used for members of several families of bivalve molluscs, from saltwater and freshwater habitats. These groups have in common a shell whose outline is elongated and asymmetrical compared with other edible clams, which are often more or less rounded or oval. The word "mussel" is most frequently used to mean the edible bivalves of the marine family Mytilidae, most of which live on exposed shores in the intertidal zone, attached by means of their strong byssal threads ("beard") to a firm substrate. Byssal threads, used to anchor mussels to substrates, are now recognized as superior bonding agents. A number of studies have investigated mussel "glues" for industrial and surgical applications. Additionally byssal threads have provided insight into the construction of artificial tendons.  

The common name "mussel" is also used for many freshwater bivalves, including the freshwater pearl mussels. The mussel's external shell is composed of two hinged halves or "valves". The valves are joined together on the outside by a ligament, and are closed when necessary by strong internal muscles (anterior and posterior adductor muscles). Mussel shells carry out a variety of functions, including support for soft tissues, protection from predators and protection against desiccation. Marine mussels are usually found clumping together on wave-washed rocks, each attached to the rock by its byssus. The clumping habit helps hold the mussels firm against the force of the waves. 

In 2005, China accounted for 40% of the global mussel catch according to a FAO study. Within Europe, where mussels have been cultivated for centuries, Spain remained the industry leader. Aquaculture of mussels in North America began in the 1970s. In the US, the northeast and northwest have significant mussel aquaculture operations, where Mytilus edulis (blue mussel) is most commonly grown. While the mussel industry in the US has increased, in North America, 80% of cultured mussels are produced in Prince Edward Island in Canada. In Washington State, an estimated 2.9M pounds of mussels were harvested in 2010, valued at roughly $4.3M.

[drhoz]

#3050 - Septifer bilocularis - Deck Mussel

AKA Modiola subtriangularis, Mytilus bilocularis, Mytilus nicobaricus Mytilus septulifer, Tichogonia bilocularis, Tichogonia kraussii and Tichogonia wiegmannii, and Box Mussel.

Widespread around Tropical Indo-Pacific cosatlines, and the East and West coastlines of Australia. Frequently found in areas of surf with strong water current, growing attached to rocks, dead corals or the underside of stones, sometimes in dense colonies, down to about 15m below sea level.

Leighton Beach, WA Naturalists Club Centenary Beach Walk, Perth, WA

[drhoz]

#2415 - Xenostrobus neozelanicus - Little Black Mussel

AKA Hauea and Flea Mussel, Modiolus ater, Modiolus neozelanicus, and Mytilus ater.

A small mussel found around New Zealand and the Auckland Islands. Like other mussels, a filter feeding bivalve that are usually found in intertidal environments. One genus is found in freshwater, and one subfamily lives in the deep ocean.

Puritutu Rock, New Plymouth, New Zealand.

[drhoz]

#2416 - Perna canaliculus - New Zealand Green-lipped Mussel 

AKA the greenshell mussel, kuku, and kutai, Mytilus canaliculatus, canaliculus, durus, latus and tasmanicus.

An endemic New Zealand subtidal mussel, grown in huge quantities for the aquaculture industry. Most of the spat is collected from seaweed that washes up on Ninety Mile Beach on the north coast. This spatfall is highly variable - in some years none arrives at all.

In 2000 two companies that were promoting an extract of green-lipped mussel as a cancer cure were successfully prosecuted and fined. Only click on the green-lipped mussel tag below if you want some amazingly badly translated posts about their supposed antioxident properties.

Puritutu Rock, New Plymouth, New Zealand.