Chinese Pterosaur fossil sparks debate on what giant flying reptiles really ate
First-of-its-kind fossil settles long-standing debate
- A pterosaur fossil unearthed in China has provided the first direct evidence that some species of the dinosaur-era flying reptile ate plants.
- The well-preserved Sinopterus atavismus fossil, found in the Jehol Biota, contained intact gut contents, settling a long-standing debate about their diet.
- Researchers discovered an abundance of tiny plant cell particles, known as phytoliths, and small grinding stones, called gastroliths, within the pterosaur's stomach.
- The presence of phytoliths and gastroliths, previously found in other herbivorous dinosaurs, indicates the pterosaur consumed full meals consisting only of plants.
- This finding, published in the journal Science Bulletin, concludes a scientific debate, as previous theories on pterosaur diets were mainly based on anatomical features or partial remains.