THE MODE OF EPIBIONT ATTACHMENT ON MOLLUSKS IN CHANDIPUR BEACH, ORISSA AND ITS PALEONTOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS

Epibionts attach themselves on hard parts of other organisms so as to complete their own life cycles. Host organisms may be dead or alive du ring the attachment time. Chandipur coast in Orissa, offers to study v arious types of marine epibiont attachments on other animals, particul arly on molluscs. The nature of attachments provides clues to deduce l ife modes of the host molluscs and timing of attachments. Its paleonto logical implications are also explored.