Modiolus capax

Modiolus capax
Two shells of Modiolus capax
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Mytiloida
Family: Mytilidae
Genus: Modiolus
Species: M. capax
Binomial name
Modiolus capax
(Conrad, 1837)
Synonyms
  • Modiola capax Conrad, 1837
  • Mytilus spatula Menke, 1848
  • Mytilus splendens Dunker, 1857

Modiolus capax, common name fat horsemussel, is a species of "horse mussel", a marine bivalve mollusc in the family Mytilidae, the mussels.[1]

Description

Shells of Modiolus capax can reach a length of about 81 millimetres (3.2 in), a width of about 40 millimetres (1.6 in) and a diameter of about 36 millimetres (1.4 in).[2][3] This species has a quite variable form, but it always shows serrate hairs on the periostracum. The left valve is more inflated than the right one. The external surface of the shell is bright orange brown, while the inside is reddish-violet on the posterior half.[4]

Distribution

This species is present in Santa Cruz, California, to Playa, Peru and in Galapagos Islands.[4]

References


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