AbstractRecent studies indicate that the density and diversity of freshwater mussels are declining in many large river systems, possibly from low‐level chemical contamination. Exposure ofLam‐psilis ventricosa(Barnes, 1823) to 0, 22, 111, and 305 μg/L of cadmium for 28 d in a proportional diluter resulted in a significant decrease (p≤ 0.05) in respiration rate as cadmium concentration increased. Although variations in cadmium concentrations did not significantly affect food clearance rates or ammonia excretion rates, mussels exposed to 305 μg cadmium per liter showed a decrease in ammonia excretion rates and a decrease in food clearance rates over the 28‐d study. Assimilation efficiencies increased during the test in all treatments. Oxygen‐to‐nitrogen ratios were significantly increased in mussels exposed to either 111 or 305 μg cadmium per liter by day 28. Tissue condition index (TCI) values were significantly lower in mussels in the toxicity test than those in a field sample. The significant change in respiration rate after only a 28‐d exposure to cadmium suggests that freshwater mussels may be sensitive indicators of sublethal contaminant exposure. However, the large variability in other physiological responses indicates that the study of contaminant effects requires careful selection of appropriate physiolo
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