Interactions between species in coastal lagoons: Predation on recent brackish ostracod populations of the Lagoon of Venice (NE Italy).

This chapter analyzes the first evidences of predation observed on recent brackishostracod populations of the Lagoon of Venice. The study of ninety-nine samples andalmost 1300 specimens allowed extraction of 12 bored valves. The bioerosion structures(Oichnus simplex Bromley) are concentrated in the central area of the valves. Boreholediameter shows a negative but not significant correlation with the dimensions of thepredated valves, whereas the number of bored shells is significantly correlated with theostracod density. Predation affects the most abundant species of this environment (mainlyadults and the last juvenile instars).