Feeding and distribution of predatory gastropods on the Great Barrier Reef

The distribution, size and diet of predatory gastropods was investigated on 4 reef platforms on the Great Barrier Reef: Low Isles, Green Island, Heron Island and One Tree Island. Some additional data was also collected from Ellison Reef.Gastropod diets were determined from analysis of undigested prey remains (polychaete setae and jaws, gastropod radulae, jaws, and opercula, sipunculan hooks, fish bones and scales) in gastropod faeces. Prey were identified to species where possible, but in many cases only family-level identification was possible. To estimate predator preference, the relative abundance of prey in diets of all gastropods from Heron Island Reef was estimated.
This research was undertaken to investigate dietary specialization, body-size/prey diversity relationships and distribution of Conus and other predatory gastropods on reefs of the Great Barrier Reef.