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Introduction: Mytella charruana is a bivalve, more commonly known as the Charru Mussel. It is a species of mussel first found (location) and described by d'Orbigny in 1842. The species is native to Panama, Argentina, and Venezuela, but also found invasive in Singapore, Eastern & Southern US, and the Philippines. The species size ranges between 25 and 66 millimeters with radial patterned shells that are black/brown in color. As a Native Species: Life Cycle: Introduction Stages Embryos develop into free-swimming larvae, then a bivalve veliger that resembles a small clam. The veliger matures, and under certain conditions may experience sexual reversal. Insemination has not been observed for M. Charruana. Ruppert, E.E., R.S. Fox and R.D. Barnes 2004 Invertebrate Zoology. A functional evolutionary approach. 7th Ed. Brooks/Cole, Thomson Learning learning, Inc. 990 p. 0-03-025982-7

Sex Ratio The sex ratio of M. Charruana is close to 1:1 in their native habitat. http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1519-69842018000200255 Morphology: Shell Byssal Threads Byssal threads are collagen like ropes that like tethers. Byssal threads can reach approximately 160% of a mussels length. These threads help mussels adhere to solid surfaces. http://science.sciencemag.org/content/277/5333/1830 Geography: The indigenous range of the mytilid mytella charruana extends along the eastern coast of south america from venezuela to argentina and in the pacific from sonoma, mexico to el salvador. (Keen 1971, Carlton 1992; Szefer et al. 1998; Boehs et al., 2004) Ecological Niche: Food M. Charruana feed on phytoplankton and deleterious materials (macronutrients). Strachan, M.F. 2010 Studies on the impact of a water-based drilling mud weighting agent (Barite) on some benthic invertebrates. Heriot-Watt University. Predation Economic Value M. Charruana is important to native areas because they are ecosystem engineers. They generate long-lasting structures that fish can use. Jones CG, Lawton JH, Shachak M (1994) Organisms as ecosystem engineers. Oikos 69:373-386. doi: 10.2307/3545850 As an Invasive Species: Life Cycle: Sex Ratio Under conditions of stress, the sexual ratio of M. Charruana leans towards females. Morphology: Geography: Ecological Niche: Food Predation Economic Impact: