Gigantidas

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Gigantidas
Gigantidas tangaroa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Mytilida
Family: Mytilidae
Genus: Gigantidas
Cosel & B. A. Marshall, 2003
Species

See text

Gigantidas is a genus of large, deepwater, hydrothermal vent mussels, marine bivalve molluscs in the family Mytilidae.

Distribution and habitat[edit]

Species in this genus are found on deep-sea hydrothermal vents on the southern Kermadec Ridge. These mussels form dense beds at these sites.

Description[edit]

The shells of Gigantidas gladius are up to 30 cm long.

Species[edit]

Species within the genus Gigantidas include:

References[edit]

  • Cosel R.von & Marshall B.A. 2003. Two new species of large mussels (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) from active submarine volcanoes and a cold seep off the eastern North Island of New Zealand, with description of a new genus. The Nautilus 117(2): 31-46

External links[edit]