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Taxonomic name: Mytilopsis sallei (Recluz, 1849) Synonyms: Congeria gundlachi Dall, 1898, Congeria rossmasessleri Dall, 1898, Congeria sallei Dall, 1898, Dreissena domingensis Reculuz, 1852, Dreissena gundlachi Fischer, 1858, Dreissena morchiana Fischer, 1858, Dreissena pfeiferi Fischer, 1858, Dreissena riisei Dunker, 1855, Dreissena roosmassleri Fischer, 1858, Dreissena sallei Recluz, 1849, Dreissenia domingensis Dunker, 1855, Dreissenia gundlachii Dunker, 1855, Dreissenia moerchiana Dunker, 1855, Dreissenia pfeifferi Dunker, 1855, Dreissenia rossmaessleri Dunker, 1855, Dreissenia sallei Dunker, 1855, Mytilopsis allyneana Hertlein and Hanna, 1949, Mytilus domningensis Reeve, 1858, Mytilus morchianus Reeve, 1858, Mytilus rossmassleri Reeve, 1858, Mytilus sallei Reeve, 1858, Tichogonia domingensis Kuster, 1889, Tichogonia gundlachi Kuster, 1889, Tichogonia moerchiana Kuster, 1889, Tichogonia pfiefferi Dunker, 1853, Tichogonia riisei Dunker, 1853, Tichogonia rossmassleri Dunker, 1853, Tichogonia sallei Dunker, 1853 Common names: black striped mussel (English), caliche (Spanish-Venezuela), Caribbean black-striped false mussel (English-Australia), Caribbean black-striped mussel (English-Australia), false mussel (English), Santo Domingo false mussel (English) Organism type: mollusc Mytilopsis sallei, commonly known as the black striped mussel, is an opportunistic r-strategist mussel species, which is found in intertidal and shallow waters. It has similar impacts to the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha. Mytilopsis sallei is a major fouling species, forming dense monocultures which can lead to a substantial reduction in biodiversity. Description Mytilopsis sallei is a small, fingernail sized mussel, growing to an average size of 25mm, although sizes range from lengths of 8-25mm, with a maximum width of 9.68mm and a maximum height of 12.58mm. It has a varied shell colouration, from black through to a light colour, with some small individuals having a light and dark zig-zag pattern. The right valve overlaps the left valve, and is slightly larger. M. sallei settles in clusters, and is rarely seen as a single individual (NIMPIS, 2002). Similar Species Brachidontes spp., Dreissena bugensis, Dreissena polymorpha, Mytilopsis leucophaeata More Occurs in: marine habitats Habitat description Mytilopsis sallei has wide temperature, salinity and oxygen tolerances. It also possesses a fast rate of growth, high fecundity and matures early. In its native habitat, M. sallei is a colonial surface dweller of sheltered waters, for example, shallow coastal lagoons. In its introduced habitat, it is found in intertidal and shallow waters, at a range of temperatures (10-35°C) and salinities (0-27 ppt), and preferring disturbed habitats and often settling on man-made structures. It has not been found any deeper than a few metres. It prefers to settle on vertical surfaces and objects, but is found on all types of substrata. It is capable of shedding its byssus and reattaching to new surfaces - younger mussels develop byssus apparatus at shorter intervals, and hence move more often, but adults are relatively passive (NIMPIS, 2002; CSIRO, 2001; Udhayakumar and Karande, 1989; Morton, 1981; Bax et al. 2002). General impacts Mytilopsis sallei is an extremely prolific and fecund species, being ecologically similar to its relation the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha. It has been responsible for massive fouling on wharves and marinas, seawater systems (pumping stations, vessel ballast and cooling systems) and marine farms. In preferred habitats, it forms dense monospecific groups that exclude most other species, leading to a substantial reduction in biodiversity in infected areas (NIMPIS, 2002; CSIRO, 2001). Geographical range Native range: M. sallei occurs naturally in the West Indies, along the Caribbean coast of Central and South America from Yucatan to Venezuela, and in southern peninsular Florida, USA (Bax et al. 2002). Known introduced range: Australia (eradicated, Bax et al. 2002), Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Fiji (?) (CSIRO, 2001), India (Anil et al. 2002), Singapore (Sin et al. 1991). Introduction pathways to new locations Aquaculture: M. sallei can be introduced to new areas via fouling on aquaculture equipment (CSIRO, 2001). Ship: Ship ballast water: Spread via ballast water appears less likely because of the short duration of the larval stage (CSIRO, 2001). Ship/boat hull fouling: Hull fouling is often an important factor in incursions, such as the introduction of M. sallei to Darwin Harbour, Australia in the 1990s (Hutchings et al. 2002). Management information McEnnulty et al. (2002) suggest eight possible methods for the control of M. sallei in the The Web-Based Rapid Reponse Toolbox: antifoulants (TBT and novel modern coatings), air exposure/dessication/freezing, changes to salinity, oxygen deprivation, copper compounds, endosulfan/endosulphan, chlorine or hydrocarbons. Nutrition Mytilopsis sallei is a suspension feeder, feeding on zooplankton, phytoplankton and other suspended particulate organic matter (NIMPIS, 2002). Reproduction Mytilopsis sallei has high fecundity, rapid growth and a fast maturity rate. During their lifespan, individuals change sex, with a proportion of mussels in any population present as hermaphrodites. Eggs and sperm are spawned into the water column, where external fertilisation takes place. Tens of thousands of eggs can be released. Spawning appears to be triggered by changes in salinity - in its native range M. sallei has two periods of intense spawning activity apparently stimulated by rapid drops in salinity resulting from seasonal freshwater outflow (Puyana, 1995; in Bax et al. 2002). A pelagic larva develops within a day of fertilisation and then settles (NIMPIS, 2002; CSIRO, 2001). Lifecycle stages Juveniles grow rapidly, and are considered mature after one month. Maximum size is reached within six months, and mussels live for about 12-13 (max 20) months. M. sallei is ambi-sexual and individual mussels change sex at some stage during their lifetime (NIMPIS, 2002; CSIRO, 2001). Principal sources: NIMPIS. 2002. Mytilopsis sallei species summary. National Introduced Marine Pest Information System Compiled by: IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) with support from La Fondation d'entreprise Total   To contribute information, please contact Shyama Pagad. Last Modified: Tuesday, 9 January 2007