Cephalopod predation on a Desmoinesian brachiopod from the Naco Formation, central Arizona ( USA).

Despite the unusual diversity and abundance of the invertebrates at Kohl Ranch, there is almost no evidence of predation. Many of the biconvex brachiopods show unrepaired crushing similar to that reported in a similar brachiopod fauna from the Upper Mississippian (Chesterian) Chainman Shale of west-central Utah. This damage was attributed to predation by durophagous sharks by Alexander. In the Naco Formation, at least, this damage was more likely to have been caused by lithification of the surrounding sediments. However, one brachiopod from the Kohl Ranch locality does show repaired damage to both valves that was clearly caused by the unsuccessful attack of a predator. This specimen has been deposited at the Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA N8036). -from Authors