The rate of filtration and feeding on six species of diatoms by the green mussel Perna viridis
Linn In the laboratory has been studied. The number of cells removed per hour depended upon the size
and suspension density of the diatom cultures- Generally the mussel was found to eliminate more than
50% of the filtered cells as pseudofaeces. The rate of ingestion was enchanced when the suspension
density and cell size were less. Eventhough large quantities of pseudofaeces were produced when
suspension density was increased, the actual ingestion of food was not affected by call concentration.
The maximum filtration rate [341.43] ml hour -'gm —1 was noted in Thalassiosira fluviaiillis
suspension. The relation between the rate of filtration and call size and density of the suspension
was studied and discussed