Abstract
Freshwater mussel Lamellidens marginalis is a common bottom dweller bivalve known for the production of pearl, water purification and consumed as food. The ever increasing risk of pesticides contamination in freshwater bodies through agricultural runoff and municipal discharge causes adverse effects on life style of non-target economically important organisms, inhabiting there. In the present study L. marginalis were exposed on sub lethal concentration (25% of 96h LC 50 ) of an organophosphate pesticide (dimethoate) for 24days under static laboratory conditions. The exposed mussels?? shows gradual change in body colour from pale- yellow to dark-brown and histological observations of vital tissues like gill, mantle, ganglia and hepatopancreas suggests bio-concentration of pesticides in the form of dark granules. Thus, dimethoate in water bodies may alter the body colour of non-target economically important organisms and gain access in the food chain through bioconcentration.
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