Mytilopsis leucophaeata
Encyclopedia
Mytilopsis leucophaeata, common name
"Conrad's false mussel" or "Dark false mussel", is a species
of small bivalve mollusc in the family Dreissenidae
, the false mussels.
, with similar stripes, but it can be distinguished from it by a apophysis or projection on the inside of the shell near the umbo . Shell length ranges between <1 and 2 cm, with an average length of 1 cm.
, and spread from there via ballast water to the Hudson River
in the 1930's, and presumably from there to other estuaries in the eastern US including Chesapeake Bay
. This species also spread via ballast water to brackish waters in Europe, including the Baltic Sea
and the Wadden Sea
.
Like the zebra mussel
, this species is a significant biofouling pest in many countries, especially where it has been introduced in Europe.
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
"Conrad's false mussel" or "Dark false mussel", is a species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of small bivalve mollusc in the family Dreissenidae
Dreissenidae
The Dreissenidae are a family of small freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks. They attach themselves to stones or to any other hard surface using a byssus.-Genera:Genera within the family Dreissenidae include:* Congeria...
, the false mussels.
Identification
It can look very similar to the zebra musselZebra mussel
The zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, is a small freshwater mussel. This species was originally native to the lakes of southeast Russia being first described in 1769 by a German zoologist Peter Simon Pallas in the Ural, Volga and Dnieper rivers. They are still found nearby, as Pontic and Caspian...
, with similar stripes, but it can be distinguished from it by a apophysis or projection on the inside of the shell near the umbo . Shell length ranges between <1 and 2 cm, with an average length of 1 cm.
Distribution
This species originated in the Gulf of MexicoGulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
, and spread from there via ballast water to the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
in the 1930's, and presumably from there to other estuaries in the eastern US including Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
. This species also spread via ballast water to brackish waters in Europe, including the Baltic Sea
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
and the Wadden Sea
Wadden Sea
The Wadden Sea is an intertidal zone in the southeastern part of the North Sea. It lies between the coast of northwestern continental Europe and the range of Frisian Islands, forming a shallow body of water with tidal flats and wetlands. It is rich in biological diversity...
.
Like the zebra mussel
Zebra mussel
The zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, is a small freshwater mussel. This species was originally native to the lakes of southeast Russia being first described in 1769 by a German zoologist Peter Simon Pallas in the Ural, Volga and Dnieper rivers. They are still found nearby, as Pontic and Caspian...
, this species is a significant biofouling pest in many countries, especially where it has been introduced in Europe.
Habitat
Mytilopsis leucophaeata is found in brackish water, at salinities ranging from 0.5 psu to about 12 psu, although its upper salinity limit is usually about 5-6 psu. It attaches to hard substrates, including oyster and true mussel shells and cages for them, rocks, boats, and pilings, and also to ropes.External links
- World Register of Marine Species http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=156887
- European Network on Invasive Alien Species http://www.nobanis.org/MarineIdkey/Bivalvia/MytilopsisLeucophaeata.htm
- Dark false mussels in the Netherlands http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/record/217235
- USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species web page; US range map is incomplete http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=2242