The Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis) is an edible bivalve. It is commonly farmed and harvested for food throughout the world. Blue mussels live in intertidal areas attached to rocks and other substrates by strong thread-like structures called byssal threads which are secreted by byssal glands located in the foot.

Shell smooth with a sculpturing of concentric lines but no radiating ribs. They are purple, blue or sometimes brown in color.

Blue Mussels are preyed upon by starfish such as Asterias vulgaris; small mussels are also eaten by the Dogwhelk (Nucella lapillus).

References

• Department of Marine Resources
• Gilbertson, Lance. (1999). Zoology Laboratory Manual (4th ed.), pp. 11.1-11.4. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Bivalves | Edible molluscs

Blåmusling | Miesmuscheln | Moule (mollusque) | Kræklingur | Mullen | Mossel | Blåskjell | Blåskjel | Omułek jadalny | Mexilhão | Sinisimpukka