User:Pjessam12/Brachidontes Crebristriatus

Brachidontes Crebristriatus
Brachidontes Crebristriatus, also called Hawaiian Mussel or Nahawele lii lii in Hawaiian, is a species of mussel in the Mytilidae family. It is endemic to the Hawaiian islands.

Description
The Hawaiian mussel is described to have laterally compressed bodies that are enclosed by a shell that consists of two hinged ligaments. These mussels are attached to substrates that use very strong byssal threads. They are classified as Bivalvia. The Hawaiian mussels are filter feeders, they basically play an important part in cleaning the water because they feed on planktons that are floating in the ocean.

Distribution & Habitat
This type of class is of marine and freshwater mollusks that are native to Hawaii. The y  are found all over the islands of Hawaii, hence their name. Their primary habitat is along the limestone shorelines usually at the low tide mark, you’d find them in clusters or in patches. The Hawaiian mussels would grow to their largest sizes if they were in a body of freshwater and salt water. The Hawaiian mussel are to grow to different sizes depending on where it is found. In Pearl Harbor the mussel can grow to at least the length of the size of a finger but when found at Kaneohe Bay there are reported to be a lot smaller, about an inch and a half to be exact.

Human Use
These mussels are popular as a dish, you are able to eat them in two different ways, either cooked or raw.