| Family: |
Mytilidae (sea mussels) |
| Max. size: |
5 cm SHL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthic; marine; depth range 0 - 15 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: from East and South Africa, to Japan, Australia, New Caledonia and eastern Polynesia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Shell thick, elongate, variable in shape, roughly trigonal-ovate or trapezoidal in outline, markedly swollen and pointed anteriorly, rounded and somewhat compressed posteriorly. Umbones terminal, prominent, sharply tapering and ventrally recurved. Anterior margin reduced. Ventral margin long and usually broadly concave. Posterodorsal area somewhat expanded and laterally compressed. Outer surface of valves covered with numerous, densely set radial riblets slightly diverging on posterodorsal and posteroventral areas. Periostracum strong, tightly applied to shell. Hinge with a few small denticles under the umbo of each valve. A strong shelly ledge above the umbonal cavity, supporting the anterior adductor scar and expanded dorsally as a low ridge along the ligament. Internal margins finely crenulated throughout. Colour: exterior of shell deep green, becoming brownish and paler towards the umbones. Interior bluish grey to purplish brown, white on the umbonal area. |
| Biology: |
Frequently found in areas exposed to washing of surf with strong water current (Ref. 80041). Attached to rocks, dead corals or the underside of stones, sometimes occurring in dense colonies. Littoral and sublittoral to a depth of about 15 m (Ref. 348). Living among the alga Corallina officinalis in rock-pools between tide-marks (Ref. 88739). Reported from Hong Kong to be found on the ceilings and walls of submarine caves (Ref. 126058). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
|
| Threat to humans: |
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| Country info: |
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Source and more info: www.sealifebase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
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