Mytilidae

Mytilidae

The Mytilidae are a family of small to large saltwater clams, marine bivalve molluscs, commonly known as mussels. Mussels are a group of several families of bivalve (a type of mollusc) that live in marine or freshwater environments. Some species of mussels have been used as a food source for thousands of years.

Taxonomy

The Mytilidae family is part of the order Mytiloida, in the class Bivalvia. The family contains about 52 genera and more than 400 species. The most well-known genus is Mytilus, which includes the edible blue mussel (Mytilus edulis).

Anatomy and Morphology

Mussels have a distinctive elongated shape with a robust, usually brownish-black shell. The 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.

Habitat and Distribution

Mussels are found in a variety of habitats, from the intertidal zone to freshwater streams, ponds, and lakes. They are globally distributed, being found in all oceans and on all continents except Antarctica.

Ecology and Behavior

Mussels are filter feeders; they feed on plankton and other microscopic sea creatures which are free-floating in seawater. They do this by drawing water in through their incurrent siphon, the water is then brought into the branchial chamber by the actions of the cilia located on the gills for ciliary-mucus feeding.

Human Use

Mussels have been used as a food source for thousands of years and continue to be a popular seafood around the world. They are cultivated in 'mussel farms' and are also harvested from the wild.

See Also

• Bivalvia
• Mollusca
• Mytilus edulis

References

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