First taphonomic evidence of predation on large benthic molluscs from the Eocene of Gan (Pyrenees-Atlantiques, France).

For the first time, predation remains of malacophagous are identified from clusters of the debris of broken shells still in original position. These r emains belong to benthic molluscs (Vicetia and Vepricardium), more than 100 mm long, very rare in the clay of Tuilerie at Can (Cuisian), whose palaeoe nvironment was especially favourable to preservation of organisms in anatom ic connection. These traces are similar to those made by recent fishes and constitute a direct indisputable observation of the role of predation on th e Early Cenozoic large molluscs. (C) 2000 Academie des sciences / Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.