Gigantidas


Gigantidas is a genus of large, deepwater, hydrothermal vent mussels, marine bivalve molluscs in the family Mytilidae.

Distribution and habitat

Species in this genus are found on deep-sea hydrothermal vents on the southern Kermadec Ridge. These mussels form dense beds at these sites.

Description

The shells of Gigantidas gladius are up to 30 cm long.

Species

Species within the genus Gigantidas include:Gigantidas coseli Saether, Little, Campbell, Marshall, Collins & Alfaro, 2010Gigantidas gladius Cosel & Marshall, 2003Gigantidas horikoshi Hashimoto & Yamane, 2005Gigantidas samario Cosel & Gracia, 2018Gigantidas taiwanensis