Traces of predation

Predation, a normal activity in most recent communities, is a way of life for many animals and may exert control over the population density of other members of the community. Our knowledge of ancient examples of this important function is meager. This dearth stems mainly from (1) destruction of the evidence itself during predation, (2) collecting biases toward complete specimens and away from incomplete and broken specimens that might show predation damage, and (3) our inability to recognize the evidence of predation.

Each instance of predation may be considered as a chronological series of activities: search, capture, penetration, ingestion, digestion, and defecation. Each activity may result in preseruable evidence of predation. The actual chance of preservation, however, is extremely small.

To resolve this deficiency in our knowledge, we must increase our observations on predation in the recent and on evidence for probable instances preserved in the fossil record.