Exploring marine mollusc drilling predation: insights into predator-prey dynamics and selective pressures in gastropod shell assemblages of Playa Guardalavaca, Cuba.
Predation marks by drilling molluscs serve as evidence for feeding activity. This behaviour has been extensively studied to understand predator-prey relationships. The objective of this study is to characterise the mollusc drilling predation on gastropods from Playa Guardalavaca, Cuba. We examined the species richness and abundance of drilled and non-drilled shells and calculated predation rates and its relationship with prey size. To compare drilled and non-drilled shells, we used the median and interquartile range due to the asymmetric distribution of the measurements. Furthermore, we employed a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to compare the size distribution frequencies. A total of 114 morphospecies and nine species groups were identified. Five species were identified as new records for the area. A total of 5,795 shells were quantified, out of which 24.4% displayed drillholes. The most abundant species are not the most preyed upon, presenting a distinct pattern compared to bivalve assemblages in this and other locations. The highest predation rate was observed among individuals of medium size, may be attributed to the predators' ability to manipulate their prey. Smaller shells may not offer sufficient food resources, resulting in lower predation rates. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in predation related to shell size for six out of the 11 tested species. Potential predators were identified, some of which exhibit drillholes themselves. In general, drilling predation in gastropods from the studied area appears to be influenced by a combination of factors, including high species richness of both predators and prey, prey abundance, specialised feeding strategies of predators, and habitat diversity.
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Contribution biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2024
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| Subjects: | Biotic interactions, Caribbean Sea, Drillholes, Feeding behaviour, Gastropoda, Mollusca, Thanatocoenosis, Interacciones bióticas, Mar Caribe, Perforaciones, Comportamiento alimentario, Tanatocenosis, |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1834/43096 |
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