PORT PHILLIP BAY


Three-area Mussel 

Musculus cumingianus (Reeve, 1857)

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

This large and diverse family is represented in Victoria by approximately 20 species. Some species are gregarious and may be the most conspicuous animals on the sea shore. Mussels are characterised by an elongate shell, with the umbo situated at the anterior end, with the posterior area expanded, hinge teeth often not evident. Most species have a well developed, thick periostracum, and are attached to the substrate by a byssus.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Mollusca
Subphylum:
Conchifera
Class:
Bivalvia
Subclass:
Pteriomorphia
Order:
Mytiloida
Family:
Mytilidae
Genus:
Musculus
Subgenus:
Musculus
Species:
cumingianus

General Description

The shells of this species are thin and fragile, with the valve exterior usually separated into three distinct areas, the anterior and posterior sections with radial sculpture and the central area smooth. Exterior of shell is coloured brown to dark green. Shell up to 3 cm across.

Biology

Some earlier authors considered this species the same as a species from New Zealand.

Habitat

Rock crevices and sometimes imbedded in a mass of threads, from low tide to depth of 50 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Australia.

Species Group

Sea snails and shells › Bivalves

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

3 cm

Diet

Organic matter

Commercial Species

No

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Boyd, S.

Sue Boyd is an Honorary Associate in marine invertebrates at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Boyd, S., 2011, Three-area Mussel, Musculus cumingianus, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/5624

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