Researchers have discovered undigested food remains, plant matter, and prey within fossilized dinosaur feces. Analyzing these numerous samples offers insight into the role of dinosaurs in their ecosystem approximately 200 million years ago.
A team of researchers from Uppsala University, working alongside international collaborators, has successfully identified undigested food remains, plant material, and prey within the fossilized feces of dinosaurs. Their analysis of hundreds of samples sheds light on the ecological roles dinosaurs occupied around 200 million years ago. The study’s findings have been published in the journal Nature.
“Unraveling the complex relationships of ancient diets is akin to detective work,” states Martin Qvarnström, a researcher from the Department of Organismal Biology and lead author of the study. “By examining what these creatures consumed and how they interconnected with their surroundings, we gain insights into the factors that contributed to dinosaurs’ remarkable success.”
In partnership with palaeontologists from Norway, Poland, and Hungary, the team at Uppsala University utilized advanced synchrotron imaging techniques to closely investigate the internal components of fossilized feces, or coprolites. By identifying the undigested remains of plants and prey, they reconstructed the ecosystems that existed during the height of the dinosaurs’ success.
This research focused on a less-explored area known as the Polish Basin from the Late Triassic era, situated in the northern region of the ancient supercontinent Pangea. The researchers integrated coprolite data with climate information and other fossil evidence, such as plants, bite marks, vomit, footprints, and bones, to create a detailed understanding of the Triassic and Jurassic ecosystems (around 230 to 200 million years ago).
“Collecting our research materials took 25 years, and it required many years to synthesize everything into a comprehensive narrative,” explains Grzegorz Niedźwiedzki, a researcher from the Department of Organismal Biology and senior author of the study. “Our approach is groundbreaking because we aimed to understand early dinosaurs through their dietary habits. We encountered many unexpected findings throughout the process.”
The coprolites revealed a wide array of remains, including fish, insects, larger animals, and various plants, some of which were remarkably preserved, like small beetles and nearly intact fish. Certain coprolites contained bones that had been chewed by predatory animals similar to modern hyenas, which crushed bones to access salts and marrow. The contents from the early herbivorous dinosaurs, particularly the long-necked sauropods, surprised the researchers; they found significant amounts of tree ferns along with other plants and charcoal. The palaeontologists speculate that charcoal may have been ingested to neutralize toxins from the ferns, which can be harmful to herbivores.
This research addresses a crucial gap in understanding the first 30 million years of dinosaur evolution during the Late Triassic period. While much is known about dinosaur biology and extinction, the ecological and evolutionary dynamics that spurred their rise remain largely unexplored. The study proposes a five-step model of dinosaur evolution, which the researchers believe could clarify global patterns.
The team underscores the importance of understanding how early dinosaurs flourished, as it provides critical insights into both prehistoric ecosystems and broader evolutionary processes. The findings highlight that dietary variety and adaptability were essential for survival amid the environmental shifts of the Late Triassic.
“Regrettably, climate change and mass extinctions aren’t just historical events. Examining ancient ecosystems enriches our understanding of how life adapts and survives in changing environments,” remarks Qvarnström.
Niedźwiedzki concludes, “To avoid extinction, it helps to consume a diverse range of plants, which is precisely what early herbivorous dinosaurs did. Their evolutionary triumph stems from a genuine affinity for fresh green vegetation.”
