Mytilidae: Austromytilus rostratus (Dunker, 1857) (‘common beaked-mussel’)

Synonym(s): rostratus Dunker, 1857.

Typical shell-length 45 mm. Shell purplish-black and finely radially ribbed, but surface often eroded to paler purple, especially towards centre. Lives intertidally and subtidally amongst rocks and seaweed, usually in aggregations and especially on exposed shores. Native. Endemic to southeastern Australia (NSW, TAS, VIC and SA). In Tasmanian waters, this is a widespread and common species.