Southwest Florida Shells

by José H. Leal

Family Mytilidae

Brachidontes exustus

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Scorched Mussel

Shell size to 25 mm; shell mussel-shaped, trigonal, elongate. Sculpture of hundred or more fine ribs which form minute denticles on inner edge of valves. Color yellowish-brown to dark-brown, inner surface metallic-purple mottled with white.