Bearded Horse Mussel [Modiolus barbatus]
Description
The Bearded Horse Mussel is a large marine bivalve mollusc in the family Mytilidae. This species is characterized by its long, narrow shell, which can reach up to 12 cm in length. The exterior of the shell is brownish-black in color, while the interior is pearly white. It inhabits sandy and muddy substrates, often forming dense beds. It is found in the Mediterranean Sea and the Eastern Atlantic Ocean, from Norway to Morocco.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Mollusks
Mollusca
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Clams, Oysters, and Scallops
Bivalvia
|
| Order |
Mussels
Mytilida
|
| Family |
True Mussels
Mytilidae
|
| Genus |
Beard Mussels
Modiolula
|