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An Illustrated and Cross-Referenced Glossary of Malacological and Conchological Terms |
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| by Paul S. Mikkelsen | |||
| 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. | |
| Copyright ©Paul S. Mikkelsen, All Rights Reserved | Return to Home Page | Return to Top | Over 1700 Terms in the Glossary! |