California mussel
California mussel | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Bivalvia |
Order: | Mytilida |
Family: | Mytilidae |
Genus: | Mytilus |
Species: | M. californianus
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Binomial name | |
Mytilus californianus Conrad, 1837
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The California mussel (Mytilus californianus) is a large edible
This species is native to the west coast of North America, occurring from northern Mexico to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. California mussels are found clustered together, often in very large aggregations, on rocks in the upper intertidal zone on the open coast, where they are exposed to the strong action of the surf.
Shell description
The shell of this species is thick and is often 129 to 130 millimetres (5 to 5 in) in length, sometimes larger still. The shell is blue on the outside with a heavy brown periostracum which is usually worn off except near the growing edge of the shell. The beaks of the shell are often eroded. The shell has coarse radial ribbing and irregular growth lines on the outer surface. The inner surface of the shell is blue and faintly pearly.
Like other mytilids, the animal is attached to the substrate with a very strong and elastic byssus.
The shell is primarily made of carbonates.[1][2] In the 1950s that was mostly aragonite with some calcite,[1][2] but by 2017/2018 the proportions had reversed.[1][2] This was surprising given that previously some increase in aragonite was observed in warmer waters, and the ocean temperature has risen since then, making researchers expect an increase in aragonite.[1][2] However it was the opposite - showing that the deciding factor in M. californianus shell carbonate composition is ocean acidification - because calcite withstands acidity better.[1][2]
Ecology
The California mussel prefers the high salinity, low sediment conditions found on open rocky coasts. However, they do not colonize bare rock easily, instead preferring the shelter of pre-existing mussels and their biological filaments. Mussels attach themselves to the hard surfaces using their thread-like byssus.
Given the right circumstances, California mussels can grow up to 200 mm (8 inches) in length and may live for more than 20 years.[
Human use
California mussels were an important food source for the
California mussels continue to be harvested as sources of both food and bait up and down the Pacific Coast of North America. The flesh of the California mussel tends to be orange in color. They can be baked, boiled, or fried like other mussels, clams, and oysters.
While these mussels are usually edible, care needs to be taken, because during times of
In science
The
See also
- Blue mussel, Mytilus edulis
References
Notes
- ^ a b c d e "Ocean acidification is transforming California mussel shells". Phys.org. 2021-01-11. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
- ^ PMID 33431664.
- ^ "Mytilus californianus taxonomy". www.racerocks.com. Archived from the original on 2018-10-23. Retrieved 2019-01-04.
- ^ "Keystone Species Hypothesis". University of Washington. Archived from the original on 2011-01-10. Retrieved 2011-02-03.
- ISBN 978-1-59691-299-1.
Sources
- Erlandson, Jon M., T. C. Rick, T. J. Braje, A. Steinberg, & R.L.Vellanoweth. 2008. Human Impacts on Ancient Shellfish: A 10,000 Year Record from San Miguel Island, California. Journal of Archaeological Science 35:2144-2152.
- C. Michael Hogan, Los Osos Back Bay, Megalithic Portal, ed. Andy Burnham (2008)
- Schmidt, D., A Review of California Mussel ("Mytilus californianus") Fisheries Biology and Fisheries Programs, Canadian Stock Assessment Secretariat Research Document 99/187 (PDF)
- McLean, James. 1969. Marine Shells of Southern California, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History