Early Permian terrestrial apex predator regurgitalite indicates opportunistic feeding behaviour.

ABSTRACT: Fossilised digestive remains (bromalites) provide unique insights into extinct animals' behavioural ecology, physiology and diet. We describe fossilised regurgitated stomach content from the early Permian Bromacker locality (Thuringia, Germany) using micro-CT, osteological, chemical and taphonomical analyses. The regurgitalite consists of a compact cluster of 41 bones with a unique taphonomic signature, including sub-articulated, aligned long bones, an irregular overall shape, and low phosphorus contents in the near-bone matrix. The multitaxic elements comprise a maxilla attributed to the captorhinomorph Thuringothyris mahlendorffae, postcranial elements of the bolosaurid Eudibamus cursoris and an unidentified diadectid, along with several unassignable elements, indicating opportunistic fe

SUBMITTER: Rebillard A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12859032 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature