Researchers from Uppsala University and international collaborators have used fossilized feces, or coprolites, to study the diets of dinosaurs during the Late Triassic period. The team analyzed hundreds of coprolite samples using advanced synchrotron imaging and identified a diverse range of food remains, including plants, prey, and fish.
The study, published in Nature, focused on the Polish Basin region and provided a comprehensive picture of the Triassic and Jurassic ecosystems. The researchers combined the information from coprolites with climate data, other fossils, and plant material to build a detailed picture of the time period.
The findings revealed that dinosaurs had diverse eating habits, which contributed to their evolutionary success. Some coprolites contained remains of fish, insects, and larger animals, while others showed evidence of digestion by predators. The team also found large quantities of tree ferns in the coprolites from the first large herbivorous dinosaurs.
The study’s results suggest that dietary diversity and adaptability were crucial survival traits during this period of environmental change. Understanding how the first dinosaurs achieved their success can provide valuable insights into prehistoric ecosystems and evolutionary processes.
According to Martin Qvarnström, lead author of the study, “Piecing together ‘who ate whom’ in the past is true detective work.” The research highlights the importance of studying past ecosystems and understanding how life adapts and thrives under changing environmental conditions.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/fossilized-dung-uncovers-the-secret-recipe-for-dinosaur-success