Abstract
Mercury was shown to have a harmful effect upon feeding in the mussels tested. A decline in feeding was shown as the mercury concentrations were increased. Respiration was found to increase with increasing mercury concentration in Congeria (DORN, 1974). The decrease in feeding of Mytilus with increasing mercury concentration can be related to stress on the animal's physiological state. It has been found that the nervous system controls ciliary activity in Mytilus. It is possible that since mercury inhibits nervous activity (Webb, 1966), decreased feeding may be caused by disruption of ciliary activity. The results of this study have shown the severe effect of methyl mercury upon one aspect necessary for life functions in living organisms. Decreased feeding rates can be an indication of toxicity of an environment to its inhabitants.
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