Blue mussel
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| Mytilus edulis L., 1758 |
The Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis) is an edible bivalve. It is commonly farmed and harvested for food throughout the world. Blue mussels live in intertidal areas attached to rocks and other substrates by strong thread-like structures called byssal threads which are secreted by byssal glands located in the foot.
Shell smooth with a sculpturing of concentric lines but no radiating ribs. They are purple, blue or sometimes brown in color.
Blue Mussels are preyed upon by starfish such as Asterias vulgaris; small mussels are also eaten by the Dogwhelk (Nucella lapillus).
References
- Department of Marine Resources (http://www.state.me.us/dmr/rm/bluemussel.html)
- Gilbertson, Lance. (1999). Zoology Laboratory Manual (4th ed.), pp. 11.1-11.4. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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Miesmuscheln_Mytilus_1.jpg
Miesmuscheln_Mytilus_1.jpg
Blue Mussels on the beach of the Baltic sea