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Predation in Ancient Reef-Builders

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Predator—Prey Interactions in the Fossil Record

Part of the book series: Topics in Geobiology ((TGBI,volume 20))

Abstract

Avoidance of predation is of critical importance to any organism, but reef-building organisms might be considered particularly vulnerable due to their immobile, epifaunal life habit. The need for photosymbiotic metazoans to expose large areas of soft tissue to light further increases the risk of predation, as well as fouling. It has been well established that modern coral reefs grow in particular environments where avoidance of, or adaptation to, competition and disturbance are of prime importance (e.g., Connell, 1978; Jackson, 1983; Glynn, 1988). In particular, the control and incidental damage exerted by herbivores, particularly fishes, in limiting the distribution and abundance of algae is probably crucial to the survival of modern coral reefs (e.g., Hay, 1981; Lewis, 1986). As a result, many coral reef organisms are supposed to show a considerable range of anti-predation traits, but unequivocal confirmation of these as adaptations, as well as details of their evolutionary origin and development, remain poorly known.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Schlumberger Cambridge Research, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB2 OEL, UK

    Rachel Wood

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EQ, UK

    Rachel Wood

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  1. Rachel Wood
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  1. University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA

    Patricia H. Kelley

  2. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA

    Michał Kowalewski

  3. Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, USA

    Thor A. Hansen

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Wood, R. (2003). Predation in Ancient Reef-Builders. In: Kelley, P.H., Kowalewski, M., Hansen, T.A. (eds) Predator—Prey Interactions in the Fossil Record. Topics in Geobiology, vol 20. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0161-9_3

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