Evidence of predation damage in Pliocene Apletosia maxima (Brachiopoda)

Harper, E. M. (2005) Evidence of predation damage in Pliocene Apletosia maxima (Brachiopoda). Palaeontology, 48 (1). pp. 197-208. DOI 10.1111/j.1475-4983.2004.00433.x

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Abstract

Little is known about predation of Mesozoic and Cenozoic articulated brachiopods, but it is far from clear whether this is because they suffered very little predation pressure or because there have been few attempts to search for evidence of it. A study of 248 museum specimens of the large Pliocene terebratulid Apletosia maxima from the Coralline Crag (UK) has revealed that more than 16 per cent of them show evidence of having been attacked by predators. The styles of damage can be attributed to drilling muricid gastropods (most of which were successful) and failed crushing attacks probably by decapods. Brachiopods are usually thought to offer a poor tissue yield to potential predators, but in this instance it appears that A. maxima was attractive to predators even though they were living with a rich molluscan fauna. It is suggested that the mass of adductor and diductor muscles (likely to be spicule-free) of these particularly large brachiopods may have made them profitable. Further studies of post-Palaeozoic brachiopod faunas are required, particularly those from mixed shallow-water communities, before it can be established whether articulated brachiopods have or have not been driven into refugia by increasing predation pressure.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	2005 PUBL 2005 AREP IA44A IA47
Subjects:	04 - Palaeobiology
Divisions:	04 - Palaeobiology
Journal or Publication Title:	Palaeontology
Volume:	48
Page Range:	pp. 197-208
Identification Number:	10.1111/j.1475-4983.2004.00433.x
Depositing User:	Sarah Humbert
Date Deposited:	27 Apr 2011 10:49
Last Modified:	23 Jul 2013 09:58
URI:	http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/id/eprint/1666

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