Choromytilus meridionalis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Black mussel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Choromytilus meridionalis, urchins and strawberry anemones | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Mytilida |
| Family: | Mytilidae |
| Genus: | Choromytilus |
| Species: | C. meridionalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Choromytilus meridionalis Krauss, 1848[1] | |
Choromytilus meridionalis, the black mussel, is a species of bivalve. It is a marine mollusc in the family Mytilidae. They are part of the Phylum Mollusca which is the second-largest phylum of invertebrates with around 85,000 species. In this article, we will be discussing the taxonomy, morphology, ecology, reproduction, and distribution of Choromytilus meridionalis.
See: Infobox
Morphology
This animal grows up to 150 mm in length. It is a shiny black mussel that grows clustered in groups on rocks and in sandy areas. It is narrower and blacker than the Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, with which it is often confused. The family mytilldae is known for narrow, elliptical, fan-shaped, thin valves which are of the same size, the absence of prominent hinge teeth, and the presence of byssal threads that hang off the hinge area for anchoring on rigid substrates.[2]
Ecology
The black mussel is a filter feeder that eats floating scraps of algae and phytoplankton. It is threatened by the invasion of the fast-growing and hardy Mediterranean mussel, which outcompetes it for space. Particulate organic matter is the major food source of many filter-feeding bivalves including C. meridionalis. Choromytilus meridionalis utilizes bacteria as a nitrogen resource, which is important for its growth and survival in the intertidal zone. The bacterial nitrogen uptake by C. meridionalis was highest when mussels were exposed to high tide and lowest during low tide.[3] The bacterial nitrogen uptake by C. meridionalis is influenced by the availability of other nitrogen sources such as dissolved inorganic nitrogen. This suggests that species have the ability to adjust their nitrogen uptake strategy based on the availability of different nitrogen sources.[4] C. meridionalis may co-exist with the bivalve Aulacomya ater in the field.
Reproduction
In the False Bay area, Choromytilus meridionalis all reproduce at the same time and partake in two breeding seasons. Although the number of eggs and sperm released each year changes, the ratio of eggs to sperm is constant. The sexes are separate and females may be distinguished by the chocolate-brown color of the ovary, while the testis is yellow to white, depending on its state of development. In mature animals, the gonad extends as a thickened lobe in the midline between the gills, posterior to the foot.[5] In C. meridionalis gametogenesis occurs continuously throughout the year. C. meridionalis larvae are present in the water column for most of the time and will readily settle on ropes or buoys suspended in the water; they rarely settle on the rocky substrate.[6]
