Predatory Drilling in Tertiary Larger Foraminifera from India

Evidence of predatory drilling in the microspheric tests of Middle Eocene larger foraminifera Nummulites obtusus (Sowerby) from western Kutch is reported in this communication from the Indian Tertiary sequences. Evidence in the form of repair structures present in the foraminiferal wall and indicative of post-attack healing, has been described and illustrated. While biological identity of the predator remains enigmatic at the present stage of investigation, this report is likely to throw light on similar instances of predator-prey interaction in previously accounted Tertiary larger foraminiferal assemblages of India.