MYTILUS (SEA MUSSEL)

Mytilus is found at a depth of 2 or 3 fathoms in low tide, attached to rocks or wooden structures by its byssus threads. It is a sedentary bivalve mollusc. It is a filter feeder, filtering planktons from incurrent waters.

GENERAL CHARACTERSTICS OF MYTILUS (SEA MUSSEL)

Commonly called as sea mussel.
Shell is elongated equivalved with umbo and marked by lines of growth.
Hinge toothless but may bear crenulations.
Postero-ventrally papillated edges of mantle and postero-dorsally lamelliform gills are seen. Foot cylindrical with byssus.
Postero-ventrally papillated edges of mantle are seen and posterc-dorsally is exhalent siphon.
Shell is marked with lines of growth.
Byssal filaments found in a byssal cavity are formed by byssal gland or byssogenous apparatus.
After removing the shell internal structures such as lamelliform gills, foot, kidney, heart and alimentary canal enclosed by mantle lobes arc visible.
Gills are lamelliform, i.e., the filaments are plate-like and united by ciliary junctions.
Anterior adductor muscle is smaller and posterior adductor is larger, i.e., it is heteromyrian form. Posterior muscle is large and anterior small (anisomyrian).
Sexes are separate. Gonads extend into the mantle.

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

Used for food in Europe. In India also they are relished as food by poor people living at seacoasts.

IDENTIFICATION

The animal contains umbo, byssus threads and all above features and hence it is Mytilus

References

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