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 (1) trophic polymorphism (i.e., eating multiple prey types that require variations in capturing behavior) is wide spread, and (2) the potential trace fossil record as a result of trophic polymorphism is much more diverse than previously recognized. Predatory gastropods were ranked into three groups, those that exhibit extensive polymorphism (rank 3) to those that exhibit the least (rank 1). Predators of rank 3 were species-rich clades, and were predicted to leave a diverse trace fossil record of their feeding styles