Clues to the dominance of dinosaurs revealed through fossilized dinosaur feces

A recent study published in the journal Nature examines the diets of early dinosaurs, shedding light on how their flexibility helped them thrive over 200 million years ago. Paleontologists from the University of Uppsala studied fossilized droppings and vomit from the Late Triassic and early Jurassic periods to understand what these dinosaurs were eating. By analyzing over 500 samples from the Polish Basin, researchers were able to determine that dinosaurs had varied diets including fish, insects, plants, and other animals. This flexibility in diet allowed them to rapidly adapt and thrive during a time of significant environmental changes. The study showcases the importance of using seemingly ordinary fossils to gain remarkable insights into the evolution and adaptation of early dinosaur species. Ultimately, the research highlights how dinosaurs’ dietary habits played a crucial role in their dominance on Earth for tens of millions of years.

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