Chim & Ong, 2012

Author(s):Chim, C. K., Ong, Y. Y.
Year:2012
Title:Diet of an intertidal predator, Morula fusca (Neogastropoda: Muricidae), on St. John’s Island, Singapore
Journal:Contributions to Marine Science
Pages:153–158
Abstract

Predatory habits and diet composition of a common high intertidal predator Morula fusca were determined from detailed fi eld observations during low tide. Three species of pulmonate limpets (i.e. Siphonaria atra, S. guamensis and S. javanica) comprised the overwhelming majority of prey items consumed by the muricid gastropod. Minor prey included other gastropods (i.e. Turbo sp., Nerita undata and Dendropoma sp.), bivalves (i.e. Brachidontes sp. and Septifer sp.), barnacles (Balanus amphitrite and Chthmalus malayensis) as well as the isopod Ligia sp.. Nearly all prey was drilled. Drill holes were typically countersunk, and were located mostly at the anterior half of the limpet shell. Predators appear to prefer smaller limpets, and compensated by feeding frequently.

Keywords:Bioerosion, Gastropoda, Neoichnology, paleontoloogia, Predation, Recent, Trace fossils
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