 Paignton M010195 |
 Liverpool docks, UK M010127 |
 Liverpool docks, UK M010128 |
 Paignton M010196 |
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NMW Image No.
Mytilus edulis Linnaeus, 1758
Mytiloidea : Mytilidae| Tebble name: | Mytilus edulis Linnaeus |
| Smith & Heppell name: | Mytilus edulis L.,1758 |
To size: To 150mm. Shell Structure: Thin brittle. Equivalve: Equivalve. Equilateral: Inequilateral, beaks terminal on the anterior end. Outline: Mytiliform, narrowly wedge shaped; ligament margin long, straight sloping gently, posterior dorsal curved and posterior rounded; ventral straight then sloping upward to beaks, not hooked.
Sculpture: Comarginal lines and growth stops. Margin: Inner margin smooth. Ligament: External but sunken, extending 2/3 of ligament margin. Hinge: Smooth except for a few crenulations on the anterior ventral extremity. Pallial Musculature: Cojoined posterior and byssus retractor scar large inset from posterior dorsal margin; anterior adductor scar very small obscure. Periostracum: Thin, persistent, devoid of hairs. Colour: Periostracum blue-black to dark brown, some yellowish with bluish rays. Internal white with margins as external.
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Distribution & Ecology
Widely distributed on all coasts. Lives in the intertidal and sublittoral on a wide range of habitats from rocky shores to estuaries but spat can be found in large numbers on shelf sediments.
A review with many references on the Mytilus complex in Europe can be found at http://genimpact.imr.no/__data/page/7650/mussels.pdf.
Also see
Gosling, E. M. 1992. Systematic and geographic distribution of Mytilus. In Gosling, EM editor. The mussel Mytilus: ecology, physiology, genetics and culture. New York Elsevier. pp. 1–17.
Depth Range
Intertidal
Continental Shelf (to 200m)
Juveniles & Similar Species
Juvenile Description
Key Features & Similar Species
Additional Comments
It has been shown that edulis and galloprovincialis hybridise and these shells are indeterminate. Although typical galloprovincialis have the high anterior profile and hooked anterior some populations that from molecular data are galloprovincialis have edulis type shells.
References
Listed are literature citing Mytilus edulis Linnaeus, 1758. Reference containing the species Type Description is highlighted.
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Bayne B L 1976. Marine mussels; their ecology and physiology no 10. International Biological Programme. Cambridge University Press. 506 pp. |
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Lewis JR & Seed R 1969. Morphological variations in Mytilus from south-west England in relation to the occurrence of M. galloprovincialis Lmk. Cahiers de biologie marins (Cah. biol. mar.). 10: 231-253. |
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Linnaeus C 1758. Systema Naturae. Editio decima. 1. Regnum Animale Holmiae, Laurentii Salvii. 824pp. |
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Seed R 1992. Systematics evolution and distribution of mussels belonging to the genus Mytilus: an overview. American Malacological Bulletin. 9: 123-137. |
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Verduin A 1979. Conchological evidence for the separate identity of Mytilus edulis L. and M. galloprovincialis Lam.. Basteria. 43: 61-80. |
Resources
Downloads
Weblinks
- Conchological Society
of Great Britain & Ireland
Provides resources for understanding, identifying, recording, and conserving molluscs - CLEMAM
Check List of European Marine Mollusca - MarLIN
The Marine Life Information Network for Britain and Ireland (MarLIN) provides information for marine environmental management, protection and education. It is a centre of excellence in spatially based and time-series marine biological information and supports good stewardship in the marine environment. - NBN Gateway
National Biodiversity Network's Gateway. Use it to explore UK biodiversity data, as contributed by participating data providers. - BivAToL
- MarBEF
- Malacological Society
- Unitas Malacologica
- Census of Marine Life
- MarBEF
MarBEF, a network of excellence funded by the European Union and consisting of 94 European marine institutes, is a platform to integrate and disseminate knowledge and expertise on marine biodiversity, with links to researchers, industry, stakeholders and the general public.