Influence of Alternative Shell-Drilling Behaviours on Attack Duration of the Predatory Snail, Chicoreus Dilectus
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-2005
Keywords
edge drilling, predation speed, alternative behaviours, Muricidae, Gastropoda
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0952836904006223
Abstract
Edge drilling is a form of predation in which a predatory snail excavates a hole at a point along the margin of the closed valves of a bivalved animal. We tested the hypothesis that edge-drilling attacks by the predatory snail Chicoreus dilectuson its clam prey Chione elevata shorten the duration of the predation process relative to the alternative behaviour of drilling through the prey's shell wall away from its edges. The time required to complete an edge-drilling attack was on average about three times less than when prey were attacked through the shell wall. This improvement in predation speed was a function of the thickness of the prey's shell at the point of attack. We suggest that owing to the shorter length of time required to kill prey, the edge-drilling behaviour may be selectively advantageous in environments where enemies are abundant, especially competitors that might attempt to steal prey. Behaviours that speed up the predation process may create opportunities for more effective exploitation of available prey resources in highly competitive environments.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Journal of Zoology, v. 265, issue 2, p. 201-206
Scholar Commons Citation
Dietl, Gregory P. and Herbert, Gregory S., "Influence of Alternative Shell-Drilling Behaviours on Attack Duration of the Predatory Snail, Chicoreus Dilectus" (2005). School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications. 1589.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/geo_facpub/1589
