Mysella bidentata

Researched By	Lizzie Tyler	Data Supplied By	University of Sheffield
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Mysella bidentata	Common name	A bivalve mollusc
MCS Code	W1906	Recent Synonyms	None
Phylum	Mollusca	Subphylum
Superclass		Class	Pelecypoda
Subclass		Order	Veneroida
Suborder		Family	Montacutidae
Genus	Kurtiella	Species	bidentata
Subspecies
Additional Information
Taxonomy References	Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Christensen, 1980, Tebble, 1966, Howson & Picton, 1997
General Biology
Growth form	Articulate	Feeding method	Passive suspension feeder, Active suspension feeder, Surface deposit feeder, Sub-surface deposit feeder
Mobility/Movement	Crawler, Burrower	Environmental position	Infaunal
Typical food types	Insufficient information	Habit	Burrow dwelling
Bioturbator		Flexibility	None (< 10 degrees)
Fragility	Intermediate	Size	Small(1-2cm)
Height	Insufficient information	Growth Rate	Insufficient information
Adult dispersal potential	100-1000m	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information
Biology References	Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Heidi Tillin, unpub data, Julie Bremner, unpub data
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Widespread around the British Isles but with very few records from Ireland.
Global distribution	Its distribution ranges from Norway to west Africa and the Mediterranean.
Biogeographic range	Not researched	Depth range	0 - 100 m
Migratory	Insufficient info.
Distribution Additional Information
Substratum preferences	See additional information, Muddy sand	Physiographic preferences	Insufficient information
Biological zone	Insufficient information	Wave exposure	Insufficient information
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Insufficient information	Salinity	Insufficient information
Habitat Additional Information	Mysella bidentata is found on fine gravel, dead oyster valves, burrows of Golfingia and associated with Amphiura brachiata (Hayward & Ryland, 1995b).
AMBI Group (Borja et al., 2000)	III
Distribution References	Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, NBN, 2002, JNCC, 1999, Picton & Costello, 1998, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Julie Bremner, unpub data
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type	Permanent hermaphrodite	Developmental mechanism	Planktotrophic, Lecithotrophic
Reproductive Season	August - November	Reproductive Location	Insufficient information
Reproductive frequency	Annual protracted	Regeneration potential	No
Life span	Insufficient information	Age at reproductive maturity	1 year
Generation time	1 year	Fecundity	1000
Egg/propagule size		Fertilization type	Insufficient information
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential >10km Larval settlement period Insufficient information Duration of larval stage 11-30 days
Additional Information
Reproduction References	Eckert, 2003, Heidi Tillin, unpub data, Julie Bremner, unpub data