Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Science 29 November 1985:
Vol. 230. no. 4729, pp. 1033 - 1035
DOI: 10.1126/science.230.4729.1033
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Predation in the Paleozoic: Gastropod-Like Drillholes in Devonian Brachiopods

STEPHANIE A. SMITH 1, CHARLES W. THAYER 2, and CARLTON E. BRETT 3

1 Department of Geology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104
2 Department of Geology, University of Pennsylvania, and Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia
3 Department of Geological Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627

Middle Devonian articulate brachiopods (Ludlowville and Moscow Formations, Hamilton Group, New York) have external tapered holes with a central boss that are indistinguishable from drillholes of naticid gastropods that are known from the Triassic and later. Drillholes are specific to prey (ribbed shells were avoided) and specific to sites on prey. Healed drillholes suggest penetration of live prey. As many as 44 percent of the preferred prey are drilled, indicating a level of predation that has been reported only from post-Paleozoic strata.

Submitted on December 17, 1984
Accepted on June 15, 1985


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
First report of sublethal breakage-induced predation on Devonian bivalves.
J. Nagel-Myers, G. P. Dietl, and C. E. Brett (2009)
Palaios 24, 460-465
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
SPIONID BORE HOLE POLYDORICHNUS SUBAPICALIS NEW ICHNOGENUS AND ICHNOSPECIES: A NEW BEHAVIORAL TRACE IN GASTROPOD SHELLS.
M. ISHIKAWA and T. KASE (2007)
Journal of Paleontology 81, 1466-1475
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DRILLING FREQUENCIES IN RECENT BRACHIOPOD-MOLLUSK ASSOCIATIONS FROM THE SOUTHERN BRAZILIAN SHELF.
M. G. SIMOES, S. C. RODRIGUES, and M. KOWALEWSKI (2007)
Palaios 22, 143-154
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Secondary Evolutionary Escalation Between Brachiopods and Enemies of Other Prey.
M. Kowalewski, A. P. Hoffmeister, T. K. Baumiller, and R. K. Bambach (2005)
Science 308, 1774-1777
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
A stratigraphy of marine bioerosion.
R. G. Bromley (2004)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 228, 455-479
   Abstract »    PDF »
Mystery of naticid predation history solved: Evidence from a "living fossil" species.
T. Kase and M. Ishikawa (2003)
Geology 31, 403-406
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Inferring predation intensity in the marine fossil record.
(2002)
Paleobiology 28, 328-342
A Misuse of Occam's Razor That Trims More Than Just the Fat.
(2001)
Palaios 16, 525-527
Mid-Paleozoic latitudinal predation gradient: Distribution of brachiopod ornamentation reflects shifting Carboniferous climate.
G. P. Dietl and P. H. Kelley (2001)
Geology 29, 111-114
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
DRILL HOLES IN SHELLS OF PERMIAN BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES.
(2000)
Journal of Paleontology 74, 532-543


To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)