Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Mytilidae

Mytilidae

9.9
A family of sea mussels that live in oceans and estuaries worldwide
  • noun
  • /ˌmɪtɪˈleɪdi/
  • Specialized
: Mytilidae
  • Many edible mussels are classified under the Mytilidae family.

Examples

  • The Mytilidae family includes various species of mussels.

  • Scientists collected several species belonging to the Mytilidae family from the rocky shoreline.

  • The Mytilidae play an important role in filtering water in marine ecosystems.

  • I found some Mytilidae while exploring the tide pools.

  • Many edible mussels are classified under the Mytilidae family.

  • The Mytilidae play an important role in filtering water in marine ecosystems.

  • Scientists collected several species belonging to the Mytilidae family from the rocky shoreline.

Synonyms

mussel
vsMytilidae
37 2.4

A sea or river animal with a dark long shell that people eat

is limited to the marine family and excludes freshwater or culinary uses
marine mussel
vsMytilidae
1 3.6

A sea animal with two shells that clings to rocks or other hard surfaces

refers to the larger family grouping that includes such saltwater bivalves worldwide
family Mytilidae
vsMytilidae
  • Specialized
7.5

A group of sea mussels that attach to rocks

is the broader family found across oceans and estuaries, not only on rocks

Compounds

family Mytilidae
  • Specialized
7.5

A group of sea mussels that attach to rocks

Surface Forms

Mytilidae singular
Mytilidae plural

Morphology

Mytilidae = Mytilus (semi-transparent) = mytil + idae

Formed from the genus name 'Mytilus' (stem 'mytil-') plus the taxonomic suffix '-idae'; pattern is regular in biological nomenclature but not obvious to average learners.

Etymology

The word Mytilidae comes from the scientific name Mytilus, the old Latin and Greek name for the 'mussel', plus the ending -idae that marks an animal family. So Mytilidae literally means the 'mussel family', which is why it names the family of marine mussels.