Dinosaur Poop Reveals Secrets of Their Reign
Analysis of 500 fossilized dinosaur droppings and vomit from Poland, spanning 247 to 200 million years ago, reveals insights into the dinosaurs’ rise to dominance. The study, published in *Nature*, shows an increase in bromalite size and diversity over time, correlating with the emergence of larger and more varied dinosaur diets. Researchers linked bromalite contents to skeletal remains and footprints, reconstructing a five-phase model of dinosaur ascendancy driven by dietary adaptability and possibly enhanced by volcanic activity increasing plant diversity. This suggests a combination of superior physical adaptations and advantageous responses to environmental change were key to their evolutionary success.
John Q. Hosedrinker