Abstract
In this work we studied bioerosion and encrustation on dead shells of the shallow benthic clam Venus antiqua from Patagonia Argentina with the aim of understanding biotic interactions (live/live interaction) and postmortem encrustation (live/dead interaction). In this regard, drill hole analysis and epibiont distribution in shells from modern death assemblages were performed. Additionally, we analyzed crushing traces in the shells of the drilling gastropod Trophon geversianus, which were caused by another predator. The analysis of drill hole placement and epibiont distribution on V. antiqua shells show drill holes (75%) and the epibiont Crepidula spp. (70.91%) more concentrated in the upper sector of the valve, which might be explained by the vertical position and a semi-infaunal mode of life in this clam. Nevertheless, the presence of drill holes in the lower sector of the valve indicates that clams spent part of the time reclining on the sediment. There is also evidence that clams with Crepidula spp. as...
Highlights
In this work we studied bioerosion and encrustation on dead shells of the shallow benthic clam Venus antiqua from Patagonia Argentina with the aim of understanding biotic interactions and postmortem encrustation
The analysis of drill hole placement and epibiont distribution on V. antiqua shells show drill holes (75%) and the epibiont Crepidula spp. (70.91%) more concentrated in the upper sector of the valve, which might be explained by the vertical position and a semi-infaunal mode of life in this clam
There is evidence that clams with Crepidula spp. as commensals are less frequently attacked by drilling gastropods
Summary
In this work we studied bioerosion and encrustation on dead shells of the shallow benthic clam Venus antiqua from Patagonia Argentina with the aim of understanding biotic interactions (live/live interaction) and postmortem encrustation (live/dead interaction). Drill hole analysis and epibiont distribution in shells from modern death assemblages were performed. We analyzed crushing traces in the shells of the drilling gastropod Trophon geversianus, which were caused by another predator.
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