Fossils of dinosaur feces uncover secrets of their origin, study finds

The study suggests that adaptability and dietary diversity played a key role in the survival of early dinosaurs. (Image: Canva)

A team of paleontologists from Uppsala University has made an exciting discovery by analysing fossilized feces, or coprolites, from dinosaurs. This research, conducted with scientists from Norway, Poland, and Hungary, sheds light on ancient ecosystems, helping us understand how dinosaurs thrived millions of years ago.

Using advanced synchrotron imaging, the team examined hundreds of coprolites, revealing a detailed view of their contents. They identified undigested food, plants, and prey remains, offering new insights into the diets of these ancient creatures. “It's like solving a mystery,” says lead researcher Martin Qvarnström. “Examining what dinosaurs ate helps us understand their success.”

New Discoveries Shed Light on Early Dinosaur Ecosystems

The study focused on the Polish Basin, a region rich in fossil evidence from the Late Triassic period. By combining data from the coprolites with climate information, plant fossils, and animal remains, the team reconstructed the ecosystems of the time. This research spans about 230 to 200 million years ago, during the rise of dinosaurs.

This collection of images was taken from a paper published in 2021. The image labeled “A” at the top left is a synchrotron imaging visualization of the interior of a coprolite, thought to come from the dinosaur species Silesaurus opolensis. Inside it, scientists discovered that the dinosaur had eaten beetles (Triamyxa coprolithica). Also visible in the coprolite interior are fibrous networks thought to belong to fungal colonies or algae. Most other images show the undigested beetle. (Image: Scientific reports/ Grzegorz Niedźwiedzki/ Qvarnström, M. et al.)

For 25 years, the team collected and analysed the fossils. “Our findings show the complex diets of early dinosaurs,” says senior researcher Grzegorz Niedźwiedzki. “We focused on understanding dinosaurs’ biology through their dietary habits.”

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The coprolites contained remains of fish, insects, and plants. Some fossils showed evidence of predators eating bones, similar to how hyenas consume prey today. The most surprising discovery came from herbivorous dinosaurs. Coprolites from sauropods contained large quantities of tree ferns and charcoal. The team believes the charcoal helped neutralise toxins from certain plants.

The Role of Diet in Dinosaur Evolution and Survival

This research fills a gap in our knowledge of dinosaur evolution, particularly the first 30 million years during the Late Triassic. Despite extensive research on dinosaur extinction, little is known about the processes that led to their dominance. The team’s five-step model of dinosaur evolution could explain global patterns in their rise.

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The study suggests that adaptability and dietary diversity played a key role in the survival of early dinosaurs. “By studying past ecosystems, we learn how life adapts to change,” says Qvarnström. “Early herbivores thrived by feeding on plants, a key to their survival,” concludes Niedźwiedzki.

The findings were published in Nature on November 27, 2024.