Scientists have discovered a new species of flying reptile preserved inside fossilised dinosaur vomit, offering a rare look into ancient predator–prey interactions from the Cretaceous period. The remains were kept for years in the Museu Camara Cascudo in Brazil before researchers identified important details about tropical pterosaurs.
Scientists Discover New Filter-Feeding Pterosaur Species From Dinosaur Vomit Fossil
Regurgitated Fossil Reveals Hidden Species
The fossil, called regurgitalite, contained bones of two individuals of a newly named pterosaur species, “Bakiribu waridza”, along with four fossil fish. The bones were highly fragmented, showing signs of digestion and breakage before a predator vomited them. No soft tissue was preserved, which supports the idea that these remains passed through a predator’s stomach.
A Unique Filter-Feeding Pterosaur
“Bakiribu waridza” had long jaws filled with dense, brush-like teeth specially adapted for filter feeding. Its feeding style is similar to Pterodaustro, another known filter-feeding pterosaur, but the tooth size and spacing are distinct. The species belongs to the Ctenochasmatidae family, known for needle-like dental structures suited for catching tiny aquatic organisms.
Evidence for Ancient Predator–Prey Behaviours
The pattern of bones suggests that the predator ate the pterosaurs first, then fish, and later vomited the mix due to discomfort or blockage. Possible predators include:
- Spinosaurid dinosaurs (large fish-eating dinosaurs)
- Ornithoceriform pterosaurs (large carnivorous flying reptiles)
This shows that pterosaurs were likely part of the food chain and hunted by other large animals.
Importance of the Discovery
This regurgitalite fossil is extremely rare and important because it shows:
- Direct evidence of ancient feeding behaviour
- New insights into tropical pterosaur diversity
- Clues about ecosystem dynamics and predator diets
- Useful preserved bone and dental structures for studying pterosaur evolution
Exam-Oriented Notes
- New species: “Bakiribu waridza” (tropical filter-feeding pterosaur)
- Found inside regurgitalite (fossilised vomit) at Museu Camara Cascudo, Brazil
- Belongs to Ctenochasmatidae (long jaws, needle-like teeth)
- Likely predators: Spinosaurids or ornithoceriform pterosaurs
- Fossil contained bones of two pterosaurs and four fish
Question & Answer
Q1. What is the name of the newly discovered pterosaur species?
(a) Pterodaustro major
(b) Bakiribu waridza
(c) Ctenochasma nova
(d) Ornithoceirus brasil
Answer: Bakiribu waridza**
Q2. Where was the regurgitalite fossil stored?
(a) American Museum of Natural History
(b) British Museum of Natural History
(c) Museu Camara Cascudo, Brazil
(d) National Museum of Brazil
Answer: Museu Camara Cascudo, Brazil**
Q3. “Bakiribu waridza” belonged to which pterosaur family?
(a) Rhamphorhynchidae
(b) Ctenochasmatidae
(c) Pteranodontidae
(d) Azhdarchidae
Answer: Ctenochasmatidae**
Q4. What evidence suggested digestion before the fossil was expelled?
(a) Presence of feathers
(b) Soft tissues were preserved
(c) Bones were fragmented and lacked soft tissue
(d) Bones were fully articulated
Answer: Bones were fragmented and lacked soft tissue**
Q5. Which predators are likely responsible for the regurgitalite?
(a) Titanosaurs
(b) Iguanodontids
(c) Spinosaurids or ornithoceriform pterosaurs
(d) Ankylosaurs
Answer: Spinosaurids or ornithoceriform pterosaurs**
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