At a glance
Essentials
- Distribution
- Mytilus edulis sensu stricto is native to the North Atlantic; in Europe it is found from the French Atlantic coast northward to Novaya Zemlya and Iceland.
- Habitat
- It inhabits intertidal zones and attaches to rocks and other hard surfaces by byssal threads.
- Diet
- It filters the surrounding water and feeds on suspended particles.
Observation guide
What to look for
- 01
The shell is elongated and triangular, with rounded edges and a smooth surface with fine concentric lines; it can be blue, violet, or brown.
- 02
It attaches to rocks and other hard substrates by byssal threads.
Lighting, age and viewing angle can hide features. If identification affects consumption, handling or conservation, consult specialist sources.
Ecology
Description and characteristics
Mytilus edulis is a marine bivalve mollusk of the family Mytilidae. Its shell is elongated and triangular, with rounded edges and fine concentric growth lines; its color can be blue, violet, or brown. It lives attached to hard surfaces by byssal threads and can detach and reattach.
It is a filter feeder: it passes water through its gills and obtains food from suspended particles. In reproduction, the sexes are separate and the eggs and sperm are released into the water, where fertilization occurs. The larvae pass through a planktonic stage before settling on a substrate.