New Zealand Greenshell Tm

Dry specimen. Dorsal view.

Dry specimen. Ventral view.

Dry specimen. Lateral view.

Dry specimen. Valve view.

The large amount of seaweed washed up recently brought many mussels attached to their holdfasts. Size range in photo 50 - 170mm

100mm. One with barnacles.

"170mm long. 1.5 - 2mm deep outer shell eaten away by grazer or sponge chemical attack? Holes and burrows made by sponges, boring bivalve molluscs [st: I don't know if NZ has any of these; gastropods yes], polychaete tube worms: http://natureinfocus.wordpress.com/tag/epibionts/ ""In common with the borings of the Polydora worms, it is thought that the acidic metabolic waste products of the organism gradually dissolve the shell to create spaces within the shell matrix to accommodate further growth of the sponge."" Bottom, Polydora ciliata type burrows look similar to this mussel. http://www.fish.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/24D38008-1A94-41EB-BB05-E1E94F050F0F/0/2013chapter7biosecurity.pdf ""Green-lipped mussels in New Zealand have been infested by both Polydora and Boccardia species,"""

Mussel growing in a tidal rock pool at the bluff on the Tohe, 90 Mile Beach.

With close-up of inhalant siphon which appears to be lined with alternate folds from the upper and lower lips.

With close-up of inhalant siphon which appears to be lined with alternate folds from the upper and lower lips.

Green lipped mussel observed during initial Taioma (Airedale) Reef explore

A large mussel growing in shallow water.