Chapter 18 - Traces of Gastropod Predation on Molluscan Prey in Tropical Reef Environments

Abstract

Trophic polymorphisms are well known within vertebrate groups, such as fishes. Trophic polymorphisms enhance niche partitioning and speciation, and are characterized by several factors, including eating more than one prey type that may require more than one prey-capture method. Polymorphisms need not have slight morphologic differences within species rather they can have behavioral differences in capturing, killing, and eating prey. Differences in feeding behavior are the first stage in the evolution of morphological change, and then ultimately, speciation. This chapter shows that trophic polymorphisms in predatory gastropod groups that prey upon molluscs are common and, as a result, the taphonomic signature of their predatory behaviors is more diverse than previously recognized. Predator–prey dynamics are important in structuring paleocommunities, paleocommunity evolution, and for discerning morphological escalation. To fully understand the evolution of tropical predator–prey systems, a trace fossil approach that examines the full range of predatory forensic evidence recorded on skeletal hardparts, is warranted. A review and synthesis of ecological research on modern predatory gastropods feeding upon tropical molluscs indicates that trophic polymorphism is wide spread, and the potential trace fossil record as a result of trophic polymorphism is much more diverse than previously recognized.