Black-striped mussel | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Bivalvia |
Order: | Veneroida |
Family: | Dreissenidae |
Genus: | Mytilopsis |
Species: | M. sallei |
Binomial name | |
Mytilopsis sallei (Recluz, 1849) |
The black-striped mussel, scientific name Mytilopsis sallei, is a small marine bivalve mollusc in the family Dreissenidae, the false mussels.
It is closely related and ecologically similar to the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha.
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The native range for this species is Central and South America.
Like the zebra mussel, the black-striped mussel is a significant pest in many countries outside its original range.
Mytilopsis is typically found in brackish water, unlike Dreissena, which inhabits fresh water. Mytilopsis can tolerate wide fluctuations in salinity as adults.
Significant doubt exists regarding the specific name sallei for this mussel. It is more likely to be Mytilopsis adamsi Morrison, 1946 as reported by Marelli & Gray, 1985.