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The term mussel is used for several families of bivalve mollusks inhabiting lakes, rivers, and creeks, as well as intertidal areas along coastlines worldwide. The freshwater mussels (several allied families, the largest being the Unionidae) and saltwater mussels (family Mytilidae) are not closely related, and are grouped in different subclasses, despite some similarities in appearance. The freshwater Zebra mussels and their relatives (family Dreissenidae) live attached to rocks in a manner similar to marine mussels, but are classified with the Heterodonta, the taxonomic group including most bivalves referred to as "clams".
External anatomy The mussel's external shell is composed of two halves that protect it from predators and desiccation. Protruding from a valve is an enlarged structure called the umbo, which indicates the dorsal surface of the mussel. Like most bivalves, mussels have a large organ referred to as a foot, which is tongue like in shape with a groove on the ventral surface, which is continuous with the byssus pit. In this pit a viscous secretion is poured out which enters the groove and hardens gradually when it comes into contact with sea water. This forms an extremely tough byssus thread that secures the mussel to its substrate. Feeding Both marine and freshwater mussels are filter feeders that feed on plankton and other microscopic sea creatures. They do so by drawing water in through their incurrent siphon. The water is then brought into the branchial chamber by the actions of the cilia located on the gills for cilliary-mucus feeding. The waste water exits out through the excurrent siphon. The labial palps finally funnel the food into the mouth where digestion can continue. Marine mussels are usually found clumping together on the wave-washed rocks with one another, which anchors them against the force of the waves. Indeed, those mussels found in the middle of a clump will have less water loss due to water capture by the other mussels. Marine mussels in the wild are eaten by starfish, while living freshwater mussels are a favored source of food for muskrats, otters, raccoons and other mammals. Reproduction Both marine and freshwater mussels are gonochoristic, with separate male and female individuals. In marine mussels, fertilization occurs outside the body, and there is a larval stage that drifts for a period of three weeks to six months before settling down on a hard surface as a young mussel. There, it is capable of moving slowly by means of attaching and detaching byssal threads to attain a better life position. Freshwater mussels also reproduce sexually. Sperm released by the male directly into the water enters the female via the incurrent siphon. After fertilization, the eggs develop into the larval stage called glochidia. The glochidia grow in the gills of the female where they are constantly flushed with oxygen-rich water. For a time, these glochidia are parasitic on fish, attaching themselves to the fish's fins or gills. They grow and then break free from the host and drop to the bottom of the water. If they land in a place that suits their needs, they will continue their development and begin their independent life. Freshwater mussel glochidia are generally species-specific and will only live if they find the correct fish host. Reproduction in the Dreissenidae (zebra mussels and their relatives) is similar to that of the marine mussels. Distribution Marine mussels are abundant in the low and mid intertidal zone in temperate seas of the northern and southern hemispheres. Within their geographic range, some species prefer salt marshes or quiet bays, while others thrive in pounding surf, completely covering exposed wave-washed rocks. In addition, some species have colonized abyssal depths in the vicinity of hydrothermal vents. Freshwater mussels inhabit permanent lakes, rivers and streams throughout the world in all but polar regions. They require a constant source of water and are more abundant if it is non-acidic and has a substantial mineral content. Cultivation Freshwater mussels are used as host animals for the cultivation of freshwater pearls. Some species of marine mussel, including the Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis)and the New Zealand green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus), are also cultivated as a source of food. There are a variety of techniques for growing mussels. Mussels as food
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