Gigantidas tangaroa

Gigantidas tangaroa is a species of deep-sea mussel, a marine bivalve mollusk in the family Mytilidae, the mussels.^[2]

Gigantidas tangaroa
The holotype of Gigantidas tangaroa, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
Conservation status
Nationally Critical (NZ TCS)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Bivalvia
Order:	Mytilida
Family:	Mytilidae
Genus:	Bathymodiolus
Species:	B. tangaroa
Binomial name
Bathymodiolus tangaroa (Cosel & Marshall, 2003)
Synonyms
Bathymodiolus tangaroa Cosel & B. A. Marshall, 2003 Bathymodiolus tangaroa tangaroa Cosel & B. A. Marshall, 2003 Bathymodiolus tangaroa tuerkayi Cosel & R. Janssen, 2008 Gigantidas tangaroa tangaroa (Cosel & B. A. Marshall, 2003)· accepted, alternate representation Gigantidas tangaroa tuerkayi (Cosel & R. Janssen, 2008)· accepted, alternate representation

Habitat

This species was first described from northern New Zealand, from seeps off Cape Turnagain and Cape Kidnappers at a depth of 920 to 1,205 metres (3,018 to 3,953 ft).^[3]

Description

The shell of this species is large, up to 200 millimetres (7.9 in) long, showing external dull white growth lines. Its anterior margin is narrow but evenly rounded. Its posterior margin is convex dorsally, its posterior angulation well-defined, situated above the posterior adductor scar. Its periostracum is thick, hard and a dark brown colour. Its anterior adductor scar is short, and its pallial line curves parallel to its ventral margin.^[3]