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Blue Mussel

Mollusks

The blue mussel, also known as the common mussel, is a medium-sized edible marine bivalve mollusc in the family Mytilidae, the only living family in the order Mytilida, known as the true mussels. It has a large geographic range and is subject to commercial harvest and intensive aquaculture, and its empty shells are commonly found washed up on beaches around the world.

Facts
Classification
Diet
Filter Feeder 2
System (Realm)
Marine 2
Relationship to People
Farmed or Commercially Raised 2
Comparison
NatureServe Rank
GNR Unranked 3
CITES Appendix
Not Listed 4
Identification
Distinguishing Appearance
Triangular, elongated smooth shell with rounded edges, purple, blue or sometimes brown, occasionally with radial stripes 1
Scientific Name
Mytilus edulis 1
Conservation Status
Not Evaluated 5
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Bivalvia, Taxa
Source Blue mussel (Wikidata)

In Biome

Marine, Biomes
Source Wikipedia: Blue mussel

In Ecosystem

Wadden Sea, Ecosystems
Source Wikipedia: Blue mussel
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Argentina

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Belgium

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Canada

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Denmark

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Estonia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

France

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Ireland

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Italy

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Netherlands

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Norway

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Poland

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Portugal

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sweden

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Tanzania

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Turkey

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Ukraine

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

United Kingdom

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

United States

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. Blue mussel - Wikipedia
  • Introduction, opening sentence
    The blue mussel (Mytilus edulis), also known as the common mussel, is a medium-sized edible marine bivalve mollusc.
  • Shell description
    The shells of this species are purple, blue or sometimes brown in color, occasionally with radial stripes.
View the Source
2. Wikipedia: Blue mussel
  • human-interaction (MediaWiki batch-API article extract states it plainly)
    Blue mussels are subject to commercial use and intensive aquaculture.
  • system (MediaWiki batch-API article extract states it plainly)
    The blue mussel (Mytilus edulis), also known as the common mussel, is a medium-sized edible marine bivalve mollusc in the family Mytilidae, the only extant family in the order Mytilida, known as "true mussels".
  • Uses and ecosystem services
    Blue mussels are filter feeders and play a vital role in estuaries by removing bacteria and toxins.
  • In Biome: Marine, Lead section
    The blue mussel (Mytilus edulis), also known as the common mussel, is a medium-sized edible marine bivalve mollusc in the family Mytilidae, the only extant family in the order Mytilida, known as "true mussels".
  • In Ecosystem: Wadden Sea, Predators
    Predation of blue mussels is greatest during the three weeks it spends as a planktonic larva.
View the Source
3. NatureServe Explorer: Mytilus edulis
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)
Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "GNR"
View the Source
4. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Mytilus edulis (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyConservation Status: CITES
Quote, Conservation Status: CITES
CITES No special status
View the Source
5. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (IUCN Red List category): IUCN Red List category of Mytilus edulis
GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (IUCN Red List category)iucnRedListCategory record
Quote, iucnRedListCategory record
"category": "NOT_EVALUATED"
View the Source
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
International Union for Conservation of NatureView the Source
Wikidata: Blue Mussel
Wikidata Q27855, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source
Blue mussel (Wikidata)
Wikidata
  • Statements section, habitat (P2974): Marine
    Wikidata habitat statement (P2974) resolves to a marine habitat type.
  • Child Taxon Of: Bivalvia, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
View the Source
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