Table of Contents
Overview
Brief Summary
The Mediterranean Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) is native to the Mediterranean, Black, and Adriatic Seas, but has spread (mostly via ballast water and ship hull fouling) to many other regions worldwide. These mussels usually occur in the low intertidal zone of exposed rocky coasts with relatively high wave energy, although in their native range they are also found growing in dense patches on the sandy-muddy bottoms of brackish lagoons (Ceccherelli and Rossi 1984). Although this species is cultivated as food for humans in some parts of Asia, in most of its non-native range it has become a nuisance species, displacing natives, and the IUCN/SSC* Invasive Species Specialist Group has nominated Mytilus galloprovincialis as among the 100 "World's Worst" invaders.
*International Union for Conservation of Nature, Species Survival Commission
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Distribution
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Müller, Y. (2004). Faune et flore du littoral du Nord, du Pas-de-Calais et de la Belgique: inventaire. [Coastal fauna and flora of the Nord, Pas-de-Calais and Belgium: inventory]. Commission Régionale de Biologie Région Nord Pas-de-Calais: France. 307 pp.
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=9269
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Hayward, P.J.; Ryland, J.S. (Ed.) (1990). The marine fauna of the British Isles and North-West Europe: 1. Introduction and protozoans to arthropods. Clarendon Press: Oxford, UK. ISBN 0-19-857356-1. 627 pp.
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=1
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Backeljau, T. (1986). Lijst van de recente mariene mollusken van België [List of the recent marine molluscs of Belgium]. Koninklijk Belgisch Instituut voor Natuurwetenschappen: Brussels, Belgium. 106 pp.
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=2
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Terlizzi, A.; Scuderi, D.; Fraschetti, S.; Anderson, M.J. (2005). Quantifying effects of pollution on biodiversity: a case study of highly diverse molluscan assemblages in the Mediterranean. Mar. Biol. 148(2): 293-305
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=6842
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Robinson, T.B.,Griffiths, C.L.,and Kruger, N. (2004). Distribution and status of marine invasive species in and bordering the West Coast National park. Koedoe 47 (1):79-87. Pretoria. ISSN 0075-6458
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=42339
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Species composition of meso- and macrozooplankton of the Black Sea
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=43140
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Savini, D.; Occhipinti-Ambrogi, A. (2006). Consumption rates and prey preference of the invasive gastropod Rapana venosa in the Northern Adriatic Sea. Helgol. Mar. Res. 60(2): 153-159.
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=9806
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Branch, G.M. et al. (2002). Two Oceans. 5th impression. David Philip, Cate Town & Johannesburg.
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=6561
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d'Udekem d'Acoz, C. (1990). Notes on some organisms collected between Wenduine and De Haan on 3 March 1990 [Notes sur quelques organismes recueillis entre Wenduine et De Haan le 3 mars 1990]. De Strandvlo 10(3): 74-78
http://www.marinespecies.org/ophiuroidea/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=138631
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Gordon, D. (Ed.) (2009). New Zealand Inventory of Biodiversity. Volume One: Kingdom Animalia. 584 pp
http://www.marinespecies.org/porifera/porifera.php?p=sourcedetails&id=145244
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Gofas, S.; Le Renard, J.; Bouchet, P. (2001). Mollusca, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels, 50: pp. 180-213
http://www.marinespecies.org/mollusca/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=1364
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MEDIN (2011). UK checklist of marine species derived from the applications Marine Recorder and UNICORN, version 1.0.
http://www.marinespecies.org/asteroidea/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=149081
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Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2011). Species.ie version 1.0 World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway (version of 15 March 2010).
http://www.marinespecies.org/ascidiacea/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=149068
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Koukouras, Athanasios. (2010). Check-list of marine species from Greece. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Assembled in the framework of the EU FP7 PESI project.
http://www.marinespecies.org/asteroidea/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=142068
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Lioris, D., Rucabado, J. 1998. Guide d'identification des Ressources Marines Vivantes du Maroc. Guide FAO d'identification des espèces pour les besoins de la pêche. Organisation des Nations Unies pour l'Alimentation et l'Agriculture : 263pp.
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=164103
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Enzenross, L., Enzenross, R. (2001). Untersuchungen über das Vorkommen mariner Mollusken in tunesichen Gewässern. Shriften für Malakozoologie, 17: 45-62.
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=164092
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Zamouri-Langar, N.; Chouba, L.; Ajjabi Chebil, L.; Mrabet, R.; El Abed, A. (2011). Les coquillages bivalves des côtes tunisiennes. Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer: Salammbô. ISBN 978-9938-9512-0-2. 128 pp.
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=164127
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Zaouali, J. 1971. Etude de l'écologie du Lac de Tunis et de la Mer de Boughrara (Tunisie), leurs peuplements malacologiques. Thèse de doctorat de spécialité (3ème cycle) en Océanographie. Université de Caen: 121pp.
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=164131
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Chakroun, R. 2004. Réponse à la macrofaune invertébré benthique à l'état de dégradation du milieu : cas du lac sud de Tunis et de la lagune de Ghar El Melh. Thèse Doctorat, Faculté Sciences Bizerte (Tunisia): 341 pp.
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=164084
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Jaziri, H., Benazzou, T. 2001. Les populations du genre Mytilus au Maroc : statut taxonomique et répartition geographique. Rapp. Comm. int. Mer Médit., 36.
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=164097
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World Register of Marine Species
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Native range (alphabetical by country): Algeria, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Egypt, Europe, France, Greece, Italy, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Macedonia, Morocco, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine
"Alien" range (alphabetical by country/region): Africa, Australia, Canada, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Mediterranean, Mexico, Namibia, Netherlands, Republic of Korea, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States (including Hawaii)
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Physical Description
Morphology
“Mytilus galloprovincialis is dark blue or brown to almost black. The two shells are equal and nearly quadrangular. The outside is black-violet coloured; on one side the rim of the shell ends with a pointed and slightly bent umbo while the other side is rounded, although shell shape varies by region. It also tends to grow larger than its cousins, up to 15cm, although typically only 5-8cm.” (IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG))
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Type Information
Catalog Number: USNM 618884
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Invertebrate Zoology
Preparation: dry
Collector(s): W. Coe
Locality: San Diego, La Jolla, Scripps Institute Pier, California, United States, North Pacific Ocean
- Holotype: J. Morph. 78(1): 85, 2 pls.
© Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Invertebrate Zoology
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Look Alikes
Lookalikes
Because the shells of Mytilus species are similar and can vary depending on their environment, it’s difficult or impossible to visually distinguish M. galloprovincialis from Mytilus edulis and Mytilus trossulus. Furthermore, M. galloprovincialis and M. trossulus can hybridize (Suchanek et al. 1997). Genetic analyses are necessary to make a positive identification.
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Ecology
Habitat
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Natural Geography in Shore Areas (NaGISA) database, compiled by Ann Knowlton.
http://www.marinespecies.org/arms/aphia.php?p=sourcedetails&id=145467
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World Register of Marine Species
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Marine and estuarine.
“In its native range, M. galloprovincialis can be found from exposed rocky outer coasts to sandy bottoms (Ceccherelli and Rossi 1984). As an invader it typically requires rocky coastlines with a high rate of water flow...(Carlton 1992)."
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Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 6 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 1 - 76
Temperature range (°C): 7.556 - 9.030
Nitrate (umol/L): 0.437 - 0.459
Salinity (PPS): 18.292 - 18.622
Oxygen (ml/l): 6.427 - 6.964
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.273 - 0.546
Silicate (umol/l): 18.377 - 28.168
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 1 - 76
Temperature range (°C): 7.556 - 9.030
Nitrate (umol/L): 0.437 - 0.459
Salinity (PPS): 18.292 - 18.622
Oxygen (ml/l): 6.427 - 6.964
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.273 - 0.546
Silicate (umol/l): 18.377 - 28.168
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
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Associations
Known predators
Carcinus maenas
Ciliata mustella
Based on studies in:
Portugal (Estuarine)
This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.
- L. Saldanha, Estudio Ambiental do Estuario do Tejo, Publ. no. 5(4) (CNA/Tejo, Lisbon, 1980).
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SPIRE
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Known prey organisms
detritus
Based on studies in:
Portugal (Estuarine)
This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.
- L. Saldanha, Estudio Ambiental do Estuario do Tejo, Publ. no. 5(4) (CNA/Tejo, Lisbon, 1980).
© SPIRE project
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SPIRE
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Evolution and Systematics
Functional Adaptations
Functional adaptation
Byssal threads of marine mussels form quickly via liquid crystal phase proteins.
"In marine mussels (Mytilus), byssal threads are made in minutes from prefabricated smectic polymer liquid crystals by a process resembling reaction injection molding. The mesogens in these arrays are known to be natural block copolymers with rodlike collagen cores." (Hassenkam et al. 2004:1351)
Learn more about this functional adaptation.
- Hassenkam, T.; Gutsmann, T.; Hansma, P.; Sagert, J.; Waite, J. H. 2004. Giant Bent-Core Mesogens in the Thread Forming Process of Marine Mussels. Biomacromolecules. 5(4): 1351-1355.
- Lee H; Dellatore SM; Miller WM; Messersmith PB. 2007. Mussel-Inspired Surface Chemistry for Multifunctional Coatings. Science. 318(5849): 426.
© The Biomimicry Institute
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Molecular Biology and Genetics
Molecular Biology
Barcode data: Mytilus galloprovincialis
There are 132 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank. Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species. See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.
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Download FASTA File
© Barcode of Life Data Systems
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Statistics of barcoding coverage: Mytilus galloprovincialis
Public Records: 104
Specimens with Barcodes: 156
Species With Barcodes: 1
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© Ocean Genome Legacy
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Ocean Genome Resource
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Wikipedia
Mediterranean mussel
The Mediterranean mussel, scientific name Mytilus galloprovincialis, is a species of bivalve, a marine mollusc in the family Mytilidae. It is an invasive species in many parts of the world, and also an object of aquaculture.[1]
Contents |
Systematics
Mytilus galloprovincialis is one of the three principal, closely related species in the Mytilus edulis complex of blue mussels, which collectively are widely distributed on the temperate to subarctic coasts of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and often are dominant inhabitants on hard substrates of the intertidal and nearshore habitats. M. galloprovincialis will often hybridize with its sister taxa, the closely related Mytilus edulis and Mytilus trossulus, when they are found in the same locality. M. galloprovincialis is considered the most warm-water-tolerant species of the three, and has the most southerly distribution in Europe and North America.
Distribution
In Europe, Mytilus galloprovincialis is found in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea, and on the Atlantic coasts, in Portugal, north to France and the British Isles.
In the northern Pacific the species is found along the coast of California, where it was introduced from Europe by human activity in the early 20th century, and also in the Puget Sound region of Washington State, where it has been subject to aquaculture.[2] It is also present as an invasive species on the Asian coast throughout Japan, including Ryukyu Islands, as well as in North Korea [3] and around Vladivostok in Russia.
Mytilus galloprovincialis is also present as a native lineage in parts of the Southern Hemisphere. In addition there are populations introduced from the north recently with human activity. These lineages are distinguished by genetic characters. No original Mytilus populations lived in southern Africa, but the Mediterranean mussel was introduced from Europe in 1984 and is now the dominant low intertidal mussel on the West Coast. The distribution spans an area from the Namibian border to Port Alfred, intertidally to just below the low tide border. [4] M. galloprovincialis is also found in New Zealand, Australia and South America.
Description
This animal grows up to 140 mm in length. It is a smooth-shelled mussel with a slightly broader base than that of the black mussel, with which it is often confused in South Africa. Its shell is blue-violet[1] or black, but may shade to light brown.[5]
Ecology
The Mediterranean mussel is a filter feeder. It is rare subtidally, which is an alternate means of distinguishing it from the black mussel in South Africa.
References
- ^ a b Mytilus galloprovincialis (mollusc) Global Invasive Species Database. issg.org
- ^ Thomas J. Hilbish, Pamela M. Brannock, Karlie R. Jones, Allison B. Smith, Brooke N. Bullock and David S. Wethey (2010) Historical changes in the distributions of invasive and endemic marine invertebrates are contrary to global warming predictions: the effects of decadal climate oscillations. Journal of Biogeography 37:423–431.
- ^ Mytilus galloprovincialis www.nies.go.jp
- ^ Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. & Beckley, L.E (2005). Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa ISBN 0-86486-672-0
- ^ Day, J.H. 1969. Marine Life on South African Shores Balkema, Cape Town
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