The Blue Mussel (BMU) Bioband

Zone

Bio-band Name

Database Label

Colour

Indicator Species*

Physical Description

Exposure
[Description]

Associate Species*

B

Blue Mussel

BMU

Black or blue-black

Mytilus trossulus

Visible on bedrock and on boulder, cobble or gravel beaches. Appears in dense clusters that form distinct black patches or bands, either above or below the barnacle band.

P-VE

Fucus sp.

Semibalanus sp.

Balanus sp.

Filamentous red algae.

A thick Blue Mussel (BMU) bioband dominates this Semi-Protected (SP) shoreline in Portland Canal. Note the difference between the distinct blue-black band of Blue Mussel (BMU) below, and the Verrucaria (VER) band of the Splash Zone above.

Continuous bands of Blue Mussel (BMU) and Rockweed (FUC) contrast in the intertidal zone along this Protected (P) Estuary in the West Arm of Cholmondeley Sound, Prince of Wales Island.

SE06_HA_1880.jpg

SE06_MM_14444.jpg

Bioarea SEMJ

Bioarea SECR

* Indicator Species: The dominant species in a bioband and usually what the bioband is named for (eg. Barnacles = Barnacle bioband or BAR).
  Associated Species: Species commonly found within a given bioband. These are based on known life histories of these species and ground observations. For more detailed information on associated species and regional differences see the Shore Station database (http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/habitat/shorestation/default.htm).