Boring shellfish
20th September 2008, Saturday
The bivalves in the photo (Common Cockle Cerastoderma edule, Rayed Trough Shell Mactra corallina & Banded Wedge Shell Donax vittatus) have all been predated by Common Necklace Shell Natica alderi.
Whereas herbivorous gastropods ie snails use their radula to scrape plant matter from stones, there are some carnivorous species which drill into the shells of bivalves lying peacefully in the sand filtering food from the surrounding water.
Netted Dogwhelk Nassarius reticulatus predates Barnacles in this fashion.