New Flying Reptile Species Found Inside Fossilised Dinosaur Vomit

Scientists have identified a new species of flying reptile preserved within fossilised dinosaur vomit, offering rare insights into predator–prey behaviour during the Cretaceous period. The unusual specimen, long stored in a Brazilian museum, has revealed remarkable details about tropical pterosaur diversity.

Regurgitated Remains Uncover a Hidden Species

The discovery comes from a fossil known as regurgitalite, preserved in the Museu Camara Cascudo in Brazil. The specimen contained bones from two individuals of a newly described filter-feeding pterosaur species, “Bakiribu waridza”, along with four fossil fish. The absence of soft tissue and the fragmentation of bones indicate they were broken and digested before being expelled by a predator.

A Unique Filter-Feeding Pterosaur from the Tropics

Researchers reported that “Bakiribu waridza” possessed long jaws lined with dense, brush-like teeth suited for filter feeding. While comparable to “Pterodaustro”, another filter-feeding pterosaur, it differs in tooth size and spacing. This species belongs to the Ctenochasmatidae family, noted for slender, needle-like dental structures adapted for specialised feeding.

Clues to Ancient Ecosystem Dynamics

The arrangement of the regurgitated bones suggests that the predator consumed the pterosaurs first, followed by fish, before vomiting the mixture due to discomfort or obstruction. Spinosaurid dinosaurs and ornithoceriform pterosaurs—both known fish-eaters from the same region—are considered likely candidates for producing the regurgitalite.

Exam Oriented Facts

• The new species identified is “Bakiribu waridza”, a tropical filter-feeding pterosaur.
• The remains were found in regurgitalite stored at Museu Camara Cascudo, Brazil.
• Ctenochasmatidae pterosaurs are characterised by long jaws and needle-like teeth.
• Evidence links spinosaurids and large pterosaurs as potential predators responsible for the fossil.

Significance of the Rare Regurgitalite Fossil

The find provides rare behavioural evidence showing that pterosaurs were part of the diet of larger predators. It also expands the known diversity of filter-feeding pterosaurs in tropical environments. The well-preserved dental structures and bone tissues offer valuable data for reconstructing pterosaur evolution and ecosystem interactions.