| The well documented dramatic increase in predation pressure which started during the early Mesozoic, termed the Mesozoic Marine Revolution (MMR), had an important impact on the evolution of prey organisms (Vermeij, 1983). Epifaunal bivalves in particular are at considerable risk to predation. In this paper we consider the types of predation to which epifaunal bivalves are prone and outline the evolutionary history of the different modes of predation. We explore methods by which bivalves are known to evade these activities and chart the appearance of these defences in the fossil record. These sections involve both review of the massive existing literature on molluscivory and the presentation of new experimental data, in particular on the value of... |
