An Experimental Assessment of Penetration, Excavation and Consumption Rates of the Muricid Gastropod, Nucella Lamellosa

Predation by drilling gastropods is preservable in the fossil record and thus represents valuable data for the study of evolutionary concepts that emphasize the importance of biotic interactions. For cost-benefit analyses, accurate measurement of drilling rate

(synonymous with “penetration rate” in this study) and consumption rate is essential. We determined the penetration rate and consumption rate of the muricid gastropod Nucella lamellosa preying upon the mussel, Mytilus trossulus. Our results indicate that although penetration rate is independent of predator size, excavation rate is proportional to the size of the driller, as one might expect on biomechanical grounds. Additionally, consumption rate is also a function of predator size which might have important implications in cost-benefit analyses applied to varied size of predators.