1. 필자는 1968년 5월부터 12월에 걸쳐 대합초기치패의 천공률과 천공복족류 2종을 확인하였다. 2. 자연집단에서의 자연폐사율은 $12.1\%$이었고 이중 천공폐사율은 $38.1\%$였다. 3. Neverita didyma와 Natica severa의 천공의 형태는 다 같이 외경이 크고 내경이 작은 경화구형이었고 천공 되는 부위는 각정부위에 대부분 집중되었다. 4. 천공된 구멍의 내외직경의 차는 치패의 각장이 커짐에 따라 컸으며, 각장 $1~3mm$인 치패의 구명의 외직경은 $0.4~0.5mm$, $3~6mm$에서는 $0.7~0.9mm$, $6~13mm$에서는 $0.9~1.2mm$였다. 5. Neverita didyma의 주야의 천공률은 야간에 훨씬 높았고 일평균 1.7개체의 치패를 천공하였다. 이는 Natica severa의 천공률에 비해 훨씬 높았다. 6. 천공률은 여러가지 요인에 의하여 많을 차이를 볼 수 있었다. 즉 Natica severe인 경우 조건에 따라 0.25에서 0.5까지의 천공률을 나타냈다.
1. This paper deals with the natural mortality of the early young bivalve, Meretrix lusoria, (less than 13mm in shell length) and the perforations bored in the bivalve by bering snails, Neverita didyma and Natica severa. The investigation was carried out in the Kunsan area and in the laboratory from May to October of 1968. 2. The natural mortality of the field population during this period was $12.1\%$ and among this number $38.1\%$ were drilled by boring snails. 3. The common species of the Naticid gastropods, boring snails-Neverite didyma and Natice severa - are encountered in the habitat of M. lusoria. The perforations drilled by these species were broadly bevelled. 4. The location of the holes on the valves varied widely, while most of holes on the valves were located at a relatively definite umbo position. 5. The inner and outer diameters of the holes varied in proportion to the shell length of the clam; each ranging in shell length from 1 to 3mm, 3 to 6mm, and 6 to 13mm, and the outer diameters were 0.4-0.5mm, 0.7-0.9mm and 0.9-1.2mm. On the other hand, the ratio of the inner and outer diameters differed in proportion to the shell length of the clam. 6. Predation rates of Neverita didyma was much greater at night than during the day at room temperature. An average of 1.7 young clams was drilled and consumed, per snail, per day. This rate was greater than that of the Natica severa. 7 Predation rates varied in proportion to the shell length of the clam and the shell height of the snails.
