Mediterranean mussel

TheMediterranean mussel(Mytilus galloprovincialis) is aspeciesofbivalve,  amarinemolluscin thefamilyMytilidae. It is aninvasive speciesin many parts of the world, and also an object ofaquaculture.
Mytilus 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.
In 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.
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.It is also present as an invasive species on the Asian coast throughoutJapan, includingRyukyu Islands, as well as inNorth Koreaand 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.M. galloprovincialisis also found inNew Zealand,Australiaand South America.
This 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-violetor black, but may shade to light brown.
The 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.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.
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.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.
Novigrad MusselisM. galloprovincialiscultivatedin farms in theNovigrad SeaandNovsko ŽdriloinCroatiaand product of theCroatian cuisinewith European protected designation of origin, conferred by theEuropean Commission.Although theAdriatic Seaisoligotrophic, theestuarinelocation ofNovigradmakes it suitable foraquaculture.
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.