Mytilidae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mytilidae |
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| Two shells of Mytilus edulis washed up on a beach | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Mytilida |
| Superfamily: | Mytiloidea |
| Family: | Mytilidae Rafinesque, 1815 |
| Genera | |
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52, See text |
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Mytilidae is a group of small to large ocean and slightly salty water animals. They are a type of bivalve mollusc, which means they have two shells. You might know them better as mussels!
Most mussels live in the ocean. Some can live in water that is a mix of fresh and salt water. One special type, called Limnoperna, even lives in freshwater environments. There are about 52 different groups (called genera) of mussels in the Mytilidae family. This is the only family of mussels still alive today in their larger group, the Mytilida.
You can find mussels all over the world. They are most common in colder seas. Often, they form huge beds on rocky shores. You can see them in the intertidal zone, which is the area between high and low tide. They also live in the shallow water just below the low tide mark. Some special types of mussels live in the deep-sea habitats, far down in the ocean.
Mussels include many well-known types that people eat.
Mussel shells often look a bit uneven, not perfectly symmetrical. They have a tough outer layer that sticks tightly to the shell. Mussels attach themselves to rocks or other solid surfaces using special threads called a byssus. These threads are very strong!
What are Mussels?
Mussels are fascinating creatures with two shells. They are part of a larger group of animals called molluscs. This group also includes snails and octopuses. Mussels are special because their bodies are protected by two hinged shells.
They use their shells to protect themselves from predators. When they feel threatened, they can close their shells tightly. This keeps them safe inside.
Where Mussels Live
Mussels live in many different places around the world. Most prefer the ocean, clinging to rocks. They are very common in places with strong waves. This is because their strong byssus threads help them hold on.
You can often spot them during low tide. They cover rocks like a living carpet. Some mussels also live in very deep parts of the ocean. These deep-sea mussels have adapted to life without sunlight.
Types of Mussels
There are many different kinds of mussels. While the full list of all 52 groups is very long, here are a few examples of the many types of mussels found in the Mytilidae family:
- Adipicola
- Amygdalum
- Bathymodiolus
- Brachidontes
- Crenella
- Lithophaga
- Modiolus
- Mytilus (This group includes most of the mussels people eat!)
- Perna (Like the famous New Zealand green-lipped mussel)
Images for kids
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A bed of the edible California mussel, Mytilus californianus
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See also
In Spanish: Mitílidos para niños
