Byssal thread protein ropes secreted from mussel that attach to substrate
Desiccation the process of drying out thoroughly
Filter feeder an animal that feeds by passing water through its abdomen, taking up necessary nutrients, and excreting the excess water
Gastropod the class of mollusks that includes snails and slugs
Intertidal the area between the high tide mark and the low tide mark
Mantle cavity the space between the mussels body mass and its shell
Planktonic floating at or near the surface of the water
Plantigrade - a recently settled larva or juvenile
Pelagic living in the open ocean (rather than adjacent to land)
Quadrat a device used in ecological studies; a plot of land or area of known dimensions to study the distribution of plants or animals in an area
Sedentary - remaining or living in one area, not moving freely
Sessile Permanently attached to a surface
Transect a line on which measurements or data are to be collected