Mytilidae

Mytilus edulis

The Mytilidae (mussels ) are on the current system ( Bieler & Mikkelsen 2006), the only family of the superfamily Mytiloidea, in turn, is the only of the order Mytiloida ( mussel -like ). You will be provided infra class Pteriomorphia within the Autolamellibranchiata. It is a mainly living in the tidal areas of the sea mussel group. The oldest Mytilidae are known from the Devonian.

Characterization

The housing of the Mytilidae are always equivalve. The shape of the housing was probably originally oval, however, is characteristically prolonged strong in most groups, and the vortex is displaced forward. The shell is made of an inner layer with aragonitisch, pearl ring microstructures and partly from an additional, calcitic layer. The castle is largely reduced, the ligament is on the outside. All representatives are due to the reduction of the anterior sphincter usually more or less clearly anisomyar ( = sphincters are not uniform ). Most forms have a fine linen.

Way of life

The Mytilidae living almost exclusively in the tidal areas of today's seas or in the areas seaward connect to the tidal range (flat Subtidal ). They are usually attached to the substrate using the organic fine linen and can form colonies. Others live half buried in the sediment, or have become secondary drilling ( Lithophaga ).

System

The Mytilidae are after the latest classification by Bieler & Mikkelsen ( 2006), the only family of the superfamily Mytiloidea, which in turn is the only superfamily within the order Mytiloida. The family is divided into several subfamilies. Examples of the group:

• Green-lipped mussel ( Perna canaliculus )
• Mussels ( Mytilus genus )
• Horse mussels ( genus modiolus )