Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis)

Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis) — reference image.

Creator: Darkone via Wikimedia Commons

Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0

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Species record

Blue Mussel

Mytilus edulis

Explore the Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis) species record in The Ark Is Earth, including classification, habitat, distribution, conservation information, and sources.

Summary

The common mussel (Mytilus edulis) occurs from the high intertidal to the shallow subtidal. It attaches to suitable surfaces with fibrous byssus threads.

Classification in this archive

  1. Kingdom: Animals
  2. Phylum: Mollusca
  3. Class: Bivalves
  4. Order: Mytilida
  5. Family: Mytilidae
  6. Genus: Mytilus

Habitat and distribution

Selected documented locations — not a complete species range.

Habitat
rocky shores, mudflats, shallow coastal waters
Selected regions
Europe, North America

Conservation status

The Ark records: Not evaluated.

Did you know?

  • Fibrous byssus threads help a blue mussel hold onto rocks and other surfaces.

More images

Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) shell, right valve.

Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis), right valve, from Surville, Manche, France.

Creator: H. Zell

Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0

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Sources and attribution