Mediterranean mussels with dark shells at Setúbal, Portugal.

Mediterranean Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) — Mediterranean mussels with dark shells at Setúbal, Portugal.

Creator: [Diego Delso](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Creator:Diego_Delso), [Wikimedia Commons file](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mejillones_mediterr%C3%A1neos_(Mytilus_galloprovincialis),_Set%C3%BAbal,_Portugal,_2020-08-01,_DD_01.jpg), CC BY-SA 4.0. Licence: [CC BY-SA 4.0 deed](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en).

Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0

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Species record

Mediterranean Mussel

Mytilus galloprovincialis

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

Summary

The Mediterranean mussel is native to the Mediterranean Sea and nearby southern European Atlantic coasts, but it has established on shorelines in several other regions. It attaches to rocks, docks, boat hulls, and other surfaces using strong byssal threads. Dense beds can change habitat for native shore animals, while the mussel is also farmed for food.

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, intertidal coasts, shallow subtidal shores, harbors and marinas, docks and boat hulls, other hard surfaces
Selected regions
Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America

Conservation status

Conservation status not recorded.

Did you know?

  • Young Mediterranean mussels settle and attach with byssal threads after 2–4 weeks.

More images

A Mediterranean mussel shell is shown from the inside.

Mediterranean Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) — A Mediterranean mussel shell is shown from the inside.

Creator: [Andrey Butko](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Creator:Andrey_Butko), [Wikimedia Commons file](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mytilus_galloprovincialis_shell.jpg), CC BY-SA 3.0. Licence: [CC BY-SA 3.0 deed](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en).

Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0

View image source

Sources and attribution