Critters of the Chesapeake Bay

1. Critters of the Chesapeake Bay Mussels

2. Mussels Mussels, like clams and oysters, have two shells and are therefore bivalves.

3. Mussels In our area, Ribbed Mussels are often found in tidal marshes that are rich in Spartina.

4. Mussels You might also find the Blue Mussel near the mouth of the bay where the salinities are higher.

5. Mussels Blue Mussels are often found along the pilings of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel where they are food for many of the local fish species.

6. Mussels Unlike most bivalves, which feed by drawing in water and nutrients through an incurrent siphon and then expelling wastes

7. Mussels using an excurrent siphon, mussels feed while submerged at high tide, opening their shells and using cilia attached to their gills to gather food.

8. Mussels At low tide, the shells close and waste products that may be toxic to humans are retained. When do you think mussels should be harvested?

9. Mussels Ribbed Mussels can tolerate an extreme range of salinities and water temperatures, but can be sensitive to toxins.

10. Mussels Ribbed Mussels do not burrow completely into the muddy or sandy bottom but remain partially exposed.

11. Mussels They anchor themselves with byssal threads which are mucus stands produced by the byssal gland located in the foot.

12. Mussels As many as 600 threads can be used to attach to the substrate.

13. Mussels A Ribbed Mussel can go to an adult length of four inches. A mussel’s age can be calculated by counting the annual growth ribs on the shell.

14. Mussels Mussels play a critical role in the health of a salt marsh. Can you think how mussels might benefit a marsh?