Choromytilus meridionalis
| Black mussel | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Subclass: | Pteriomorphia |
| Order: | Mytiloida |
| Family: | Mytilidae |
| Genus: | Choromytilus |
| Species: | C. meridionalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Choromytilus meridionalis Krauss, 1848[1] | |
Choromytilus meridionalis, urchins and strawberry anemones
Choromytilus meridionalis, the black mussel, is a species of bivalve. It is a marine mollusc in the family Mytilidae.
Distribution
This species is found only around the southern African coast, from central Namibia to Port Elizabeth, from the low intertidal to about 10m.[2]
Description
This animal grows up to 150 mm in length. It is a shiny black mussel which grows clustered in groups on rocks and in sandy areas.[3] It is narrower and blacker than the Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, with which it is often confused.
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.
References
- ↑ http://www.biolib.cz accessed 5 January 2010
- ↑ Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E (2005): Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa ISBN 0-86486-672-0
- ↑ Day, J.H. 1969. Marine Life on South African Shores Balkema, Cape Town
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