An Illustrated and Cross-Referenced Glossary of
Malacological and Conchological Terms

by Paul S. Mikkelsen

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Term Definition

BYSSUS
(=BYSSUS THREAD;
=BYSSAL THREAD)
  A clump of thread-like, CHITINOUS (usually) filaments secreted by the foot of a MUSSEL or other bivalve which serves to anchor it to the substrate; the byssus of the Anomiidae is CALCAREOUS. See illustration: Composite Bivalve. See also: RADICATED.
   


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