Dinosaur Coprolites Reveal Early Triassic Diets

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Uppsala University scientists analyze fossilized dinosaur dung through synchrotron imaging, revealing dietary patterns from 200 million years ago during Late Triassic period.

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Advanced imaging technology exposes undigested remains of fish, insects, and plant matter within preserved coprolites, offering direct evidence of ancient diets.

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Long-necked sauropods consumed tree ferns with charcoal, potentially developing a strategy for neutralizing plant toxins during their evolution.

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Carnivorous dinosaurs exhibited hyena-like behavior, leaving crushed bones within coprolites while seeking minerals and bone marrow.

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Research team develops five-step evolution model explaining how dietary diversity helped dinosaurs adapt through environmental changes.

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Synchrotron imaging reconstructs Late Triassic ecosystem structures, filling gaps about dinosaur dominance through varied dietary strategies.

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Martin Qvarnström connects past climate changes to present, while Grzegorz Niedzwiedzki emphasizes plant consumption as key to evolutionary success.

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Well-preserved specimens within coprolites include intact beetles and semi-complete fish, providing clear evidence of prehistoric food chains.

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