Dinosaur poop reveals how they rose and dominated Earth
India TodayA new research has shed light on how dinosaurs rose to dominance during the Triassic Period, a time when they were initially overshadowed by other reptiles. Dinosaurs first appeared around 230 million years ago, coexisting with large crocodile relatives and massive herbivores. We analyzed feeding evidence to deduce the ecological role of dinosaurs across their first 30 million years of evolution.” An artistic reconstruction of herbivorous, fern-eating sauropodomorph dinosaurs in the Early Jurassic ecosystem of Soltykow, Poland. The study revealed that early dinosaur relatives were opportunistic feeders, but as the climate became more humid, larger and more specialized predators emerged alongside herbivorous dinosaurs that adapted to new plant growth. By the end of the Triassic Period, non-dinosaurian competitors had largely vanished, paving the way for dinosaurs to reign supreme for millions of years until their eventual extinction 66 million years ago due to an asteroid impact.
History of this topic
Fossil dung reveals clues to the rise of dinosaurs
The Hindu
Huge study of fossilised dinosaur poo reveals how beasts came to rule the earth
The Independent
Fossilized dinosaur feces and vomit help scientists reconstruct the creatures' rise
Hindustan TimesFossilized dinosaur feces and vomit help scientists reconstruct the creatures’ rise
Associated Press
Dinosaur dung study reveals how giant beasts came to dominate planet
The Independent
Fossilized poop reveals secrets of how dinosaurs came to dominate Earth
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