Article: The role of predation in the evolution of cementation in bivalves

The independent appearance of many taxa of cementing bivalves during the early Mesozoic coincided with the marked increase in predation pressure described by Vermeij (1977, 1987). A causal link is implied by experimental work in which predators were offered the choice of byssate or cemented bivalve prey: cementation confers a significant selective advantage by inhibiting manipulability. The example illustrates the potential value to palaeontology of studies in behavioural ecology.