AquaNISInformation system on aquatic non-indigenous and cryptogenic species |
Species | Mytilus edulis | |
Authority | Linnaeus, 1758 | |
Family | Mytilidae | |
Order | Mytilida | |
Class | Bivalvia | |
Phylum | Mollusca | |
Synonym (?) | ||
Sub-species level (?) | Not entered |
Native origin (?) | Ocean: Atlantic |
Life form / Life stage (?) |
Comments: From a fertilised egg cell the trochophora larva will develop, by a metamorphosis changing into a veliger larva. Those planktontic larval stages may be transported several hundred kilometres by sea currents. |
Sociability / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): Bayne BL, Widdows J, Thompson RJ (1976) Physiology: II. In: Bayne BL, ed. Marine mussels, their ecology and physiology. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 207-260 |
Reproductive frequency (?) | Iteroparous |
Reproductive type (?) | Sexual References: Figueras A (1989) Mussel culture in Spain and France. World Aquaculture, 20:8-17 Comments: Mussels have separate sexes – there are males and females. |
Developmental trait (?) | Spawning References: Figueras A (1989) Mussel culture in Spain and France. World Aquaculture, 20:8-17 Comments: In spring, each mussel female ejects about 5 to 12 millions of eggs into the water, where fertilisation by males of the environment will take place. |
Characteristic feeding method / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): Bayne BL, Widdows J, Thompson RJ (1976) Physiology: II. In: Bayne BL, ed. Marine mussels, their ecology and physiology. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 207-260 Comments: Mussels are suspension feeders, filtering particles of dissolved organic matter, detritus and phytoplankton from the water column. |
Mobility / Life stage (?) |
Comments: Until they have reached the size of 5 cm, those juvenile mussels may change their place several times, until they finally settle to a suitable piece of ground, preferably near other mussels. Millions of mussels hanging together with their byssus threads mark the development of a mussel bed. |
Salinity tolerance range (?) | Not entered |
Habitat modifying ability potential (?) | Keystone species Comments: this species occupies a broad variety of microhabitats, expanding its zonational range from the high intertidal to subtidal regions and its salinity range from estuarine areas to fully oceanic seawaters. |
Toxicity / Life stage (?) | Not relevant |
Bioaccumulation association (?) | Anthropogenic chemical compounds Natural toxins References: Williams, D. E., Dawe, S. C., Kent, M. L., Andersen, R. J., Craig, M., & Holmes, C. F. (1997). Bioaccumulation and clearance of microcystins from salt water mussels, Mytilus edulis, and in vivo evidence for covalently bound microcystins in mussel tissues. Toxicon, 11(35), 1617-1625. Comments: Because they filter seawater, mussels tend to accumulate harmful substances, such as heavy metals, in their tissues. They therefore make good indicators of water quality and, in some areas, regular sampling takes place to monitor water quality. Common mussels are often used in aquaculture |
Known human health impact? | Not entered |
Known economic impact? | Not entered |
Known measurable environmental impact? | Not entered |
Included in the Target Species list? | Not entered |
Association with vessel vectors (?) | Ballast waters References: Gollasch S, Macdonald E, Belson S, Botnen H, Christensen JT, Hamer JP, Houvenaghel G, Jelmert A, Lucas I, Masson D, McCollin T, Olenin S, Persson A, Wallentinus I, Wetsteyn LPMJ, Wittling T (2002) Life in Ballast Tanks In: Invasive aquatic species of Europe - distribution, impact and management. Leppäkoski, E., S. Gollasch & S. Olenin (eds). Kluwer Academic Publishers: 217-231 http://www.corpi.ku.lt/nemo/aqua_app_gollasch.pdf |
Molecular information | Not entered |
Last update by | Sergej Olenin, 2020-11-08 |