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| bivalves text index | photo index |
| Phylum Mollusca > Class Bivalvia > Family Mytilidae |
| Nest
mussel Musculista senhousia Family Mytilidae updated Aug 10 Where seen? This tiny mussel is sometimes very common on our Northern shores, forming spongy carpets over vast areas of the shore near the low water mark, as well as on large boulders. It is described as an opportunistic species characterised by fast growth and unique ability to colonise both hard and soft surfaces. On hard surfaces, it settles among other creatures that live there. On soft surfaces, the little mussels weave their byssal threads into an all-enclosing nest forming dense mats that can hold more than 2,000 individuals in one square metre. These mats rapidly change sandy bottoms into mud flats as they retain silt. Colonies fluctuate widely and unpredictably. Features: 1-2cm long. The two-part shell is thin, fragile and smooth. These tiny mussels build communal 'nests' out of byssal threads incorporating sediments, bits of broken shells and other debris. Large areas can be covered in such 'nests', pockmarked with little slits, each housing one mussel. Sometimes, small Green mussels (Perna viridis) are seen growing among the tinier nest mussels. Sometimes, Drills are seen grouped on a 'nest', possibly eating them? Human uses: These mussels are considered pests where they establish themselves outside their natural range, e.g., in New Zealand and California. They probably arrived as larvae carried in the ballast water of ocean-going ships. In China and Thailand, they are an inexpensive food and also used to feed poultry, shrimp and fish. |
 These tiny mussels formed vast mats on Chek Jawa in 2007 Chek Jawa, Aug 07  Pulau Sekudu, Jul 07 |
 Pulau Sekudu, Dec 07 |
 Mats coating boulders and the ground. |
 With small Green mussels growing among the tinier nest mussels. |
Nest mussels on Singapore shores
 Pasir Ris, Feb 09 |
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 Changi, May 11 |
 Changi, May 11 
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 Changi, Jun 07  |
more photos of nest mussels on Singapore shores
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