### seafood | shellfish | mussel:

Blue mussel
* Some blue mussels contaminate with acid.
* are an important commercial fishery
  - filter feeders, straining plankton from the water
  - smaller and can be found growing beyond the tidal mark on rocks
* live along the shore in tidal and subtidal areas.

Cultured mussel
* feed on crystal clear water and the meats are consistently plump and clean.
* rely on an adequate supply of natural food, primarily phytoplankton.

Female mussel
* brood their young from the egg to the larval stage in their gills.
* can reach maturity in less than a year.
* release tiny larvae called glochidia.

Freshwater clam
* Most freshwater clams have development.
* are very common in city water systems.

### seafood | shellfish | mussel | freshwater clam:

Zebra mussel
* Most zebra mussels are thumbnail size, but some grow up to two inches long.
* Some zebra mussels cause damage
  - ecological damage
* Some zebra mussels have certain environmental requirements
* are freshwater mussels.

### seafood | shellfish | mussel:

Freshwater mussel
* Most freshwater mussels team up with only one type of fish.
* Some freshwater mussels have modes.
* are also very effective environmental indicators
  - ecologically important
* are one of America s most endangered species of wildlife
  - North America's main claims to fame in terms of natural history
* are one of the most endangered families of wildlife in America
  - of North American animals
  - imperiled faunas of animals in the world
  - the most endangered group of animals in the world
  - valuable indicators of water quality
  - very vulnerable
* belong to the world's second largest group of animals, called mollusks.
* have a high ecological value.
* have a unique life cycle
  - history, requiring the use of fish in the life cycle
  - no head, eyes, or appendages
* live on every continent except Antarctica
  - throughout Missouri in a variety of aquatic habitats
* serve many purposes, including indicators of water quality.

Sea mussel
* form dense beds, generally in the intertidal zone of exposed rocky shores.
* spawn throughout the year, with peaks in activity in the spring and fall.

Small mussel
* are important, consumed in their shells after being bashed off the rocks by waves.
* can get into engine cooling systems causing overheating and damage.

Zebra mussel
* cluster in huge colonies, being anchored themselves to any hard surface.
* invade Lake Erie muds.

### seafood | shellfish:

Octopod
* Some octopods are venomous.
* are active and intelligent predators, with good eyesight and brains
  - cephalopods
  - highly intelligent, probably more so than any other invertebrate
  - the only invertebrate which has been conclusively shown to use tools
* have a variety of defences
  - eight tentacles, of equal length, covered with sessile suckers
* inhabit many regions of the ocean, especially coral reefs.
* make up over one-third of the total number of living cephalopods.
+ Octopus, Defences
  * Octopods have a variety of defences. They use active camouflage and mimicry, controlled by their nervous system. Most can eject black ink clouds to help escape, and some can shed an arm in extreme danger. It wriggles, and attracts the attacker
  * Octopods are active and intelligent predators, with good eyesight and brains. They eat mostly crabs and some fish. Some species of octopuses eat other octopuses
  - Intelligence
+ Octopus: Cephalopods
  * Octopods inhabit many regions of the ocean, especially coral reefs. For defense against predators, they hide, flee quickly, expel ink, or use colour-changing camouflage. They live rather short lives.
  * Octopods make up over one-third of the total number of living cephalopods. The term 'octopus' may be used to refer to those in the genus 'Octopus'. The term 'octopod' is correct for members of the order Octopoda in general.