A fresh examination of fossilized faeces has shed light on the environmental conditions that existed during the dawn of the dinosaur era. The analysis uncovered undigested remnants of food, plants, and prey within these ancient samples, offering valuable insights into the ecological role of dinosaurs roughly 200 million years ago.

Published in Nature, the study centered on the previously unexplored northern regions of the supercontinent Pangea. While much is known about dinosaur extinction, their ascension to dominance remains a largely uncharted area of research. By combining findings from the fossilized faeces, known as coprolites, with climate data and other paleontological evidence—such as bite marks, footprints, and bones—researchers reconstructed the ecosystems of the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic periods, spanning 230 to 200 million years ago.

This work addresses a significant 30-million-year knowledge gap in understanding the evolutionary trajectory of dinosaurs during the Late Triassic. "The research material was gathered over a quarter of a century. It took years to piece everything into a cohesive narrative," explained co-author Grzegorz Niedźwiedzki.

Using advanced imaging technology, scientists visualized the internal structures of coprolites in detail. These preserved remains revealed a surprising diversity of dietary contents, including fish, insects, plants, and even fragments of larger animals. Remarkably well-preserved specimens, such as small beetles and near-complete fish, were found. Some coprolites contained bones that predators had digested down to salts and marrow, similar to the feeding habits of modern hyenas.

Notably, the coprolites also contained tree fern fragments, other plant materials, and charcoal. Researchers hypothesize that dinosaurs may have consumed charcoal to detoxify their systems, as some ferns contain toxic compounds.

The findings highlight the dietary versatility of early dinosaurs, suggesting that their ability to adapt to varied food sources was a crucial factor in their survival amid Late Triassic environmental shifts. "The secret to avoiding extinction lies in dietary flexibility, and early herbivorous dinosaurs excelled at consuming a wide variety of plants. Their evolutionary success was driven by a genuine appetite for green, fresh shoots," concluded Dr. Niedźwiedzki.