Byssus

Byssus

A byssus is a group of strong filaments that are secreted by some families of clams (bivalve mollusks), in order to attach themselves to hard surfaces. Well known for possessing a byssus are several families of clams, including the pen shells, the true mussels and the false mussels: the Pinnidae, the Mytilidae and the Dreissenidae.

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