Classification
Zebra Mussel
Dreissena polymorpha
Domain Eukarya - Zebra Mussels are eukaryotes, meaning they contain a true nucleus.
Kingdom Animalia - Zebra Mussels are a part of the Kingdom Animalia because they are multicellular, eukaryotic, heterotrophic, motile, and lack cell walls.
Phylum Mollusca - Zebra mussels are a part of this Phylum because they have bilateral symmetry, diploblastic (posses two true tissue layers), acoelomates (do not have a fluid filled body cavity), a complete digestive system, and an open circulatory system.
Mollusks can range from gastropods, cephalopods, bilvalves, and chitons.
Class Bivalvia - Zebra Mussels are bivalves because they contain two shells (valves).
Subclass Heterodonta - Zebra mussels have heterodont *insert hot link here* definition which has a hinge *insert hot link here* plate with cardinal teeth *insert hot link here* below the umbo *insert hot link here* and lateral teeth posterior to the caridnals.
Order Veneroida - Zebra mussels have true heterodont definition, an opisthodetic ligament, and an isomyarian musculature. The shells generally have ribbing on them.
Superfamily Dreissenoidea - Zebra Mussels use byssal threads to attach to substrates.
Family Dreissenidae - Zebra Mussels attach via a byssus.
Genus Dreissena - New Latin named after Dreyssen, a Belgian physician.
Species polymorpha - Polymorhpa translates into many forms.
Want to see how these different taxonomic levels fit together on a tree? View Phylogenetic Trees in order to do this.