TheMediterranean mussel(Mytilus galloprovincialis) is aspeciesofbivalve,amarinemolluscin thefamilyMytilidae.It is aninvasive speciesin many parts of the world, and also an object ofaquaculture.[1]
| Mediterranean mussel | |
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| TwovalvesofMytilus galloprovincialis | |
Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Mytilida |
| Family: | Mytilidae |
| Genus: | Mytilus |
| Species: | M. galloprovincialis
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| Binomial name | |
| Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck,1819
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Systematics
editMytilus galloprovincialisis one of the three principal, closely related species in theMytilus eduliscomplexofblue mussels,which collectively are widely distributed on the temperate tosubarcticcoasts of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and often are dominant inhabitants on hard substrates of the intertidal and nearshore habitats.M. galloprovincialiswill often hybridize with its sister taxa, the closely relatedMytilus edulisandMytilus trossulus,when they are found in the same locality.M. galloprovincialisis considered the most warm-water-tolerant species of the three, and has the most southerly distribution in Europe and North America.
Right and left valve of the same specimen:
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Right valve -
Left valve
Distribution
editIn Europe,Mytilus galloprovincialisis found in theMediterranean Seaand theBlack Sea,and on the Atlantic coasts, in Portugal, north toFranceand theBritish Islesand Norway. Recently this species has also been found in the European Arctic including northern Norway and Svalbard.[2]
In the northernPacificthe species is found along the coast ofCalifornia,where it was introduced from Europe by human activity in the early 20th century, and also in thePuget Soundregion ofWashington state,where it has been subject to aquaculture.[3]It is also present as an invasive species on the Asian coast throughoutJapan,includingRyukyu Islands,as well as inNorth Korea[4]and aroundVladivostokin Russia.
Mytilus galloprovincialisis also present as a native lineage in parts of theSouthern Hemisphere.In addition there are populations introduced from the north recently with human activity. These lineages are distinguished by genetic characters. No originalMytiluspopulations lived insouthern 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 theNamibianborder toPort Alfred,intertidally to just below the low tide border.[5]M. galloprovincialisis also found inNew Zealand,Australiaand South America.
Description
editThis 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 (Choromytilus meridionalis), with which it is often confused in South Africa. Its shell is blue-violet[1]or black, but may shade to light brown.[6]
Ecology
editThe 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.
Mussels are generally considered as abioindicatorsof the whole ecosystem in which they live. The immune system of bivalve molluscs is often chosen as a target parameter to evaluate the welfare of the species and of their surrounding environment.[7] In theAdriatic Sea,Chamelea gallinaandMytilus galloprovincialisshare similar variations of thecytotoxic activityduring the year. The exertions by thehemolymphof the species are considered a useful biomarker of the immune activity and therefore of the health of mussels.[7]
The immune systems of the clamChamelea gallinaand the musselMytilus galloprovincialisare influenced by changing environmental parameters such as wateracidification,temperature increases and variations in seawatersalinity.Those properties describe a typical scenario of theglobal climate changeand bivalve mollusks are considered predictors of its future impact on the health status of both wild and farmed organisms.[8]Multiple stressors, including hyposalinity andheat shock,may significantly affect themetabolic rate,antioxidantenzyme activity, and feeding rate ofMytilus galloprovincialis,suggesting that these mussels may become energy-limited under combinedenvironmental stress.[9]
Mariculture
editNovigrad Mussel
editNovigrad MusselisM. galloprovincialiscultivatedin farms in theNovigrad SeaandNovsko ŽdriloinCroatiaand product of theCroatian cuisinewith European protected designation of origin, conferred by theEuropean Commission.[10]Although theAdriatic Seaisoligotrophic,theestuarinelocation ofNovigradmakes it suitable foraquaculture.[11]
Theshellof the Novigrad Mussel has a fan-shaped,triangular,or elongated-oval shape. The body is enclosed by two equal shells, externally black-blueish in color, and internally pale pearly. The length of the longest part of a consumable-sized shellfish is at least 6 cm, while the minimum weight of a shellfish is 20 g. It is particularly known for its highcondition index,which is at least 12%. Freshmeatis smooth to the touch, with a soft andelasticconsistency,carrying a characteristic scent of the marine algae. The surface of the meat is shiny, moist, and smooth.[10]
References
edit- ^abMytilus galloprovincialis(mollusc)Global Invasive Species Database. issg.org
- ^Mathiesen, Sofie Smedegaard; Thyrring, Jakob; Hemmer-Hansen, Jakob; Berge, Jørgen; Sukhotin, Alexey; Leopold, Peter; Bekaert, Michaël; Sejr, Mikael Kristian; Nielsen, Einar Eg (August 2016)."Genetic diversity and connectivity within spp. in the subarctic and Arctic".Evolutionary Applications.10(1): 39–55.doi:10.1111/eva.12415.PMC5192891.PMID28035234.
- ^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 Biogeography37:423–431.
- ^Mytilus galloprovincialisnies.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 AfricaISBN0-86486-672-0
- ^Day, J.H. 1969.Marine Life on South African ShoresBalkema, Cape Town
- ^abD Malagoli; L Casarini; F Fiori; E Ottaviani (2008)."Cytotoxic activity by the musselMytilus galloprovincialisand the Venus clamChamelea gallinain the Adriatic sea in 2007 "(PDF).Invertebrate Survival Journal.5(1): 50–53.ISSN1824-307X.OCLC8615572059.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on July 2, 2013.RetrievedOctober 17,2020.(at p. 50 and in the abstract).
- ^Valerio Matozzo; Andrea Chinellato; Marco Munari; Livio Finos; Monica Bressan; Maria Gabriella Marin (2012)."First Evidence of Immunomodulation in Bivalves under Seawater Acidification and Increased Temperature".PLOS ONE.7(3): e33820.Bibcode:2012PLoSO...733820M.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0033820.ISSN1932-6203.OCLC805433147.PMC3313930.PMID22479452.
- ^Vasquez, M. Christina; Houston, Clare T.; Alcantar, Claribel Y.; Milshteyn, Larry; Brazil, Camya A.; Zepeda, Osiris Guinea (2022-06-01)."Interactive effects of multiple stressors on the physiological performance of the invasive mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis".Marine Environmental Research.178:105665.doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105665.ISSN0141-1136.
- ^ab"Novigrad Mussel becomes 43rd Croatian product protected".Croatia Week. 28 June 2023.Retrieved28 June2023.
- ^Župan, Ivan; Šarić, Tomislav; Mokos, Melita; Gangemi, Jessica; Cipriano, Agnese."COMPARISON OF MUSSEL PRODUCTION PARAMETERS FROM TRADITIONAL AND IMTA SITESIN THE ADRIATIC SEA (CROATIA)".
External links
edit
- .issg.org/database/species/references.asp?si=102&fr=1&sts=&lang=ENMytilus galloprovincialisSelection of references. issg.org
- Mytilus galloprovincialis(Lamarck, 1819)FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture, Cultured Aquatic Species Information Programme
- Picture of a British specimenhabitas.org