mussels

Mussels are bivalve mollusks with a dark, elongated shell that they attach to surfaces like rocks or piers in aquatic environments. They filter water through their gills to extract plankton and nutrients, playing a vital role in ecosystems by helping maintain water quality. Mussels are also a popular seafood, valued for their tender, flavorful meat. They reproduce by releasing larvae into the water, which settle and grow into new mussels. Mussels are ecologically and economically important, serving as both food sources and natural water filters.