Vagina Horse Mussel

Vagina Horse Mussel
English Common Name
Vagina Horse Mussel
Scientific name
Modiolus vaginus
Taxonomy
Order: Mytiloida, Family: Mytilidae
Size
About 10 cm (length of the shell)
Species Distribution
Amamioshima Island, enclosed bays in Okinawa Island, West Pacific to the tropical Indian Oceans
Okinawa Red List of Threatened Species: Near Threatened
Japan Red List of Threatened Species: Near Threatened
This species resides deep in coarse sand areas between tidal flats and subtidal zones. It bonds itself in a smooth burrow using the filamentous byssus. Cream-colored long siphons can be observed on tidal flats or water. Today’s development along coast may result in mussels’ habitat loss.

Updated July 2017

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