Predation on Experimentally Deployed Molluscan Shells from Shelf to Slope Depths in a Tropical Carbonate Environment

Other| April 01, 2002 Predation on Experimentally Deployed Molluscan Shells from Shelf to Slope Depths in a Tropical Carbonate Environment SALLY E. WALKER; SALLY E. WALKER 1Department of Geology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2501 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar KARLA PARSONS-HUBBARD; KARLA PARSONS-HUBBARD 2Department of Geology, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH 44074-1044 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar ERIC POWELL; ERIC POWELL 3Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory, Rutgers University, Port Norris, NJ 08349 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar CARLTON E. BRETT CARLTON E. BRETT 4Department of Geology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0013 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar PALAIOS (2002) 17 (2): 147–170. https://doi.org/10.1669/0883-1351(2002)017<0147:POEDMS>2.0.CO;2 Article history accepted: 01 Jul 2001 first online: 03 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation SALLY E. WALKER, KARLA PARSONS-HUBBARD, ERIC POWELL, CARLTON E. BRETT; Predation on Experimentally Deployed Molluscan Shells from Shelf to Slope Depths in a Tropical Carbonate Environment. PALAIOS 2002;; 17 (2): 147–170. doi: https://doi.org/10.1669/0883-1351(2002)017<0147:POEDMS>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyPALAIOS Search Advanced Search Abstract Predation was examined using experimentally deployed shells along two transects representing shallow shelf (15 to 30 m), outer shelf (70 m) and bathyal (100 m to 267 m) habitats in the Bahamas. Lethal breakage on experimentally tethered shells was not restricted to the shallow-shelf (≤ 30 m), but could occur to outer shelf (70 m) and upper slope (≥ 88 m) depths. However, significantly more shells were preyed on at shallow-shelf depths (≤30 m) than at deeper depths (≥ 70 m) for both transects. Predation was not restricted to shelf sites (≤ 70 m), and predator-induced damage, such as peeled shells or last whorl remnants, could be encountered to a depth of 195 m. However, significantly more predation occurred at shelf rather than slope (≥ 88 m) depths for both transects. Although the experimental shells were exotic species, they were preyed upon at differing frequencies depending upon transect location and depth. It appears that morphology alone may not account for the differences in predation. Long-term deployment (six years) of shells enhanced the likelihood of predation, but short term deployment (one or two years) did not. Molluscivorous predators in the Caribbean are highly diverse and are not restricted to the shallow shelf, but occur in outer shelf to slope settings. Therefore, evolutionary-ecological conclusions based on predation with depth should not be tied to a single site, to a few depths, or to a single predator, as habitat heterogeneity and patchiness in predator and prey distributions may vary. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.