Bioerosion on a Terebratula scillae population from the Lower Pleistocene of Lecce area (Southern Italy)

Abstract

This paper deals with shell bioerosion in a population of Terebratula scillae SEGUENZA from the Lower Pleistocene in Lecce area, Southern Italy. The most important traces belong to shell breakage attributed to predatory activity; borings (Entobia isp., Maeandropolydora isp.); drill holes (Oichnus simplex BROMLEY; Oichnus isp.); and etching scars (Centrichnus eccentricus BROMLEY and MARTINELL; Podichnus centrifugalis BROMLEY and SURLYK).

The distribution analysis of the traces of epibiosis on the shells of T. scillae induces us to think that we are dealing with a pedicleanchored form, living with completely raised valves. Besides, both percentage and nature of predation marks (probably due to gastropods or decapod crustaceans) do not depose for a very intense predation pressure.