Abstract
SHELLED gastropods living on intertidal open rocky surfaces exhibit various shell features which can be interpreted as adaptations against such shell-breaking predators as fishes, spiny lobsters, and crabs. These anti-predatory devices include strong external shell sculpture, elongate or dentate apertures and low spires1. Not only are these characteristics more common among tropical species compared with ecologically similar cold-water forms, but within the tropics they are more prevalent and better developed in the Pacific and Indian Oceans than in the Atlantic1,2. Any or all of three conditions must obtain in areas with a high incidence and strong development of anti-predatory armour compared with areas where such armour is reduced: the prey are stronger, that is, the criteria needed by the prey to avoid being crushed are more stringent; the predators are stronger; and shell-breaking predators account for relatively greater mortality. Here I report data confirming the first two of these possibilities.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Vermeij, G. J., Evolution, 28, 656–664 (1974).
Vermeij, G. J., J. mar. Res., 32, 343–357 (1974).
Currey, J. D., mar. Biol. Assoc. U. K., 55, 419–424 (1975).
Ebling, F. J., Kitching, J. A., Muntz, L., and Taylor, C. M., J. Anim. Ecol., 33, 73–83 (1964).
Kitching, J. A., Muntz, L., and Ebling, F. J., J. Anim. Ecol., 35, 113–126 (1966).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
VERMEIJ, G. Interoceanic differences in vulnerability of shelled prey to crab predation. Nature 260, 135–136 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/260135a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/260135a0
This article is cited by
-
A palaeoecological review of the lower Gatun Formation (Miocene) of Panama with special emphasis on trophic relationships
Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments (2018)
-
Weevils and camellias in a Darwin's race: model system for the study of eco‐evolutionary interactions between species
Ecological Research (2011)
-
Body and resource size at the land?sea interface
Marine Biology (2005)
-
Regional variation in fish predation intensity: a historical perspective in the Gulf of Maine
Oecologia (1992)
-
Predator avoidance by the freshwater snailPhysella virgata in response to the crayfishProcambarus simulans
Oecologia (1991)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.