A comparison of analyses of drilling predation on fossil bivalves: Bulk- vs. taxon-specific sampling and the role of collector experience

Subaerial naticid gastropod drilling predation by Natica tigrina on the intertidal molluscan community of Chandipur, Eastern Coast of India

“…Studies on drilling predation were a very common topic of interest in the recent past Alexander, 1995, 2000;Kelley and Hansen, 2007;Huntley and Kowalewski, 2007;Klompmaker, 2011;Bardhan et al, 2012;Ottens et al, 2012;Paul et al, 2013;Visaggi et al, 2013;Hattori et al, 2014;Mondal et al, 2014;Das et al, 2014;Mallick et al, 2014). However, predation studies from modern coastal environments in general, and studies on intertidal predation in specific, were not…”

Traces (ichnospecies Oichnus paraboloides) of predatory gastropods on bivalve shells from the Seogwipo Formation, Jejudo, Korea

“…Schimmel et al 2012) and even in the fossil record for which direct observations are unavailable (Bromley 1981;Ceranka and Złotnik 2003;Kitchell et al 1981;Kowalewski 2004;Leighton 2002). Among the most extensively studied indicators of biotic relationships, in the fossil record, are predatory drilling holes, which have provided various aspects of the past preyepredator interactions (Baumiller 1996;Kelley and Hansen 2003;Kitchell 1986;Kowalewski 2002;Kowalewski et al 1998;Ottens et al 2012;Rohr 1991;Vermeij 1987).…”

Validation of taxon-specific sampling by novice collectors for studying drilling predation in fossil bivalves

“…In taxon-specific sampling, a certain taxon is selectively collected from an area with no regard for specimen size, quality of preservation, or presence of predation traces (Ottens et al, 2012). Typically, targeted sampling is constrained by the amount of space and time available, but it ensures adequate sample size because collection can continue until the required sample size for a particular study is reached.…”

“…However, because the strategy requires the collector to select the specimens, bias due to preferential selection of specimens with a certain size, quality, or predation trace could occur. Ottens et al (2012) tested the viability of data gathered by taxonspecific sampling for studies of drilling predation. They compared specimens of three common prey species (Astarte concentrica Conrad, 1834, Cyclocardia granulata (Say, 1824), and Lirophora latilirata (Conrad, 1841)) collected using taxon-specific sampling to those acquired through direct bulk sampling.…”

“…The results of the different sampling methods were compared with respect to predation metrics generally used in drilling studies, taxon, and locality. Ottens et al (2012) concluded that taxon-specific sampling produced results comparable to bulk sampling.…”