|
Dreissena Polymorpha1
''Dreissena'' is a genus of small freshwater mussels in the family Dreissenidae in the class Bivalvia. They are found attached to firm substrates by threads from underneath the shells and are the only freshwater bivalves to attach to hard substrates in high densities while having a planktonic larval stage. They are considered the most aggressive freshwater invader in the world because of their ability to invade environments in every one of their life cycle. Description ''Dreissena'' have prominent dark and light banding on the shell but can have many different variations. The outer covering is a well polished light tan color with dark bands that can either be smooth or zigzagging in shape. The shell shape is either trigonal or triangular with sharply pointed umbos. Under the umbos is the hinge plate that is broad and well developed. A ridge runs from umbos to the posterior point forming a shoulder. The byssal threads are secreted by the byssal gland posterior to the food. Lo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bivalve Shell
A bivalve shell is the enveloping exoskeleton or mollusc shell, shell of a bivalve mollusc, composed of two hinged halves or ''valve (mollusc), valves''. The two half-shells, called the "right valve" and "left valve", are joined by a ligament and usually articulate with one another using structures known as "teeth" which are situated along the hinge line. In many bivalve shells, the two valves are symmetrical along the hinge line — when truly symmetrical, such an animal is said to be ''equivalved''; if the valves vary from each other in size or shape, ''inequivalved''. If symmetrical front-to-back, the valves are said to be ''equilateral'', and are otherwise considered ''inequilateral''. The bivalve shell not only serves as protection from predators and physical damage, but also for adductor muscles (bivalve), adductor muscle attachment, which can allow the mollusc to "swim" short distances by flapping the valves. The shell is secreted by a soft part of the molluscan body known ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
