New Zealand green-lipped mussel
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| Perna canaliculus Gmelin, 1791 |
The New Zealand green-lipped mussel, also known as the New Zealand mussel or the greenshell mussel, Perna canaliculus, is an economically important bivalve mussel of the family Mytilidae endemic to New Zealand. It is also an introduced pest in Australian waters. It differs from other mussel species in that it has a dark brown/green shell, a green lip around the edge of the shells and only has one abductor muscle. It is also one of the largest mussel species growing up to 240 mm in length. The green-lipped mussel is found sub-tidally and inter-tidally throughout New Zealand.
Green-lipped mussels contain high levels of glycosaminoglycan which assist in the repair of damaged joint tissues.[citation needed]
