Contents
How did mussels get their name?
They were once called naiades, named for Greek mythology’s water nymphs whose lives were inextricable from their rivers. Multitasking. Mussels breathe, eat, and defecate with the same organs—their gills.
Does a mussel have a heart?
Internal organ systems include an open circulatory system powered by a heart; a digestive system that consists of mouth, stomach, gut, and anus; a decentralized nervous system that controls movement of the foot and adductor muscles; and reproductive organs that usually occur separately in male and female mussels.
What kind of animal is a mussel?
bivalve mollusks
Description: Mussels are bivalve mollusks, which means they have two valves (shells) surrounding a soft fleshy body. Freshwater mussels are related to snails, oysters, clams and squids.
How do mussels make babies?
Males release sperm into the open water, which is then drawn into the females through their siphons. The sperm fertilizes the eggs. Inside the female mussel, fertilized eggs develop into microscopic larvae known as glochidia. Other mussel species release small structures containing glochidia called conglutinates.
Can you eat mussels raw?
Yes, you can eat raw mussels, but not in the strict sense of the word. Some restaurants have been serving “raw” mussels as a delicacy for many years. However, you have to take note that there are precautions to take before you eat them raw to ensure that you don’t suffer from food poisoning or other sicknesses.
Do mussels have brains?
The same bivalve eating individuals claim that mussels and oysters are not sentient because they do not have “brains,” and while it is true that mussels and oyster do not have a brain in the sense that you or I do, they do have ganglia.
Is it cruel to cook mussels?
The short answer to this question is that yes, it is cruel to cook shellfish and crustaceans alive, because although they have less extensive nervous systems than humans do, they still feel pain. To store shellfish safely, use a slotted drainage container over a tray to catch the water, and rinse them occasionally.
How long do freshwater mussels live?
around 60 to 70 years
Most mussels live around 60 to 70 years in good habitat. FEEDING: Mussels feed by filtering algae, bacteria, phytoplankton and other small particles out of the water column.
Where are mussels most common in the world?
See Article History. Mussel, any of numerous bivalve mollusks belonging to the marine family Mytilidae and to the freshwater family Unionidae. Worldwide in distribution, they are most common in cool seas.
What kind of shell does a marine mussel have?
Marine mussels are usually wedge-shaped or pear-shaped and range in size from about 5 to 15 centimetres (about 2 to 6 inches). They may be smooth or ribbed and often have a hairy covering. The shells of many species are dark blue or dark greenish brown on the outside; on the inside they are often pearly.
How are marine blue mussels classified as clams?
They are classified with the Heterodonta, the taxonomic group which includes most of the bivalves commonly referred to as “clams”. Marine blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, showing some of the inner anatomy. The white posterior adductor muscle is visible in the upper image, and has been cut in the lower image to allow the valves to open fully.
How are freshwater mussels used as host animals?
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. In some areas of the world,…