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First report of sublethal breakage-induced predation on Devonian bivalves

¹ Paleontological Research Institution, 1259 Trumansburg Road, Ithaca, New York, 14850, USA
² Department of Geology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45221, USA jn226{at}cornell.edu

Here we report on the frequency, shape, and position of sublethal, predatory-induced breakage on shells of the common pterineid bivalve genus Ptychopteria from the Middle Devonian of New York. Twenty-six of the 115 well-preserved shells of Ptychopteria examined displayed evidence of at least one repair scar. The capacity to retract the vulnerable mantle deep within the shell and squeeze the valve margins together tightly to seal the shell enabled Ptychopteria to sustain marginal shell damage that was often severe. Repair scars resemble traces made by modern shell-breaking predators, especially decapod arthropods. Stereotyped positioning of the repair scars on the posterior portion of the valve also suggests active selection of an attack site by unknown shell-breaking predators. The relatively high repair frequency for Ptychopteria supports a growing body of evidence that suggests predation pressure intensified in the middle Paleozoic.