Mytilida

{{Short description|Order of bivalves}} {{Automatic taxobox | image = Perna viridis 001.jpg | image_caption = Three [[Bivalve shell|shells]] of ''[[Perna viridis]]'' | taxon = Mytilida | subdivision_ranks = Superfamilies | subdivision = * †[[Modiolopsoidea]] * [[Mytiloidea]] | synonyms = ''Mytiloida'' }}

'''Mytilida''' is an order of [[Marine (ocean)|marine]] [[bivalve]] [[mollusc]]s, commonly known as '''true mussels'''.<ref>{{WRMS species|210|''Mytilida'' Ferussac, 1822||9 July 2010}}</ref> There is one extant superfamily, the [[Mytiloidea]], with a single extant family, the [[Mytilidae]].

Species in the order Mytilida are found worldwide, but they are more abundant in colder seas, where they often form uninterrupted beds on rocky shores in the [[intertidal zone]] and the shallow subtidal. The subfamily Bathymodiolinae is found in [[deep-sea]] habitats.

Mytilids include the well-known edible sea mussels.

A common feature of the shells of mussels is an asymmetrical shell that has a thick, adherent [[periostracum]]. The animals attach themselves to a solid substrate using a [[byssus]].

==2010 taxonomy== In 2010, a new proposed classification system for the Bivalvia was published by Bieler, Carter & Coan. This included the suborder Mytiloida.<ref>Bieler, R., Carter, J.G. & Coan, E.V. (2010) ''Classification of Bivalve families''. Pp. 113-133, in: Bouchet, P. & Rocroi, J.P. (2010), ''Nomenclator of Bivalve Families. Malacologia'' 52(2): 1-184</ref>

*Superfamily †[[Modiolopsoidea]] **Family †[[Colpomyidae]] **Family †[[Modiolopsidae]] **Family †[[Saffordiidae]] *Superfamily [[Mytiloidea]] **Family †[[Mysideiellidae]] **Family [[Mytilidae]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

[[Category:Mytilida| ]] [[Category:Bivalve orders]]