Rise of the Dinosaurs #

The earliest dinosaurs, initially unremarkable, existed alongside other ancient reptiles around 230 million years ago on a supercontinent. Fast-forward 30 million years, and these creatures came to dominate Earth in myriad forms as many reptilian counterparts vanished. The mystery of their evolutionary success might lie in what they left behind: their droppings.

Researchers studied bromalites—remnants from the digestive system—including dinosaur poop and vomit, to understand these extinct giants. Over a period of 25 years, more than 500 fossils were collected from about 10 sites in the Polish Basin, dating from the Late Triassic to early Jurassic Period, around 247 to 200 million years ago. Analysis of these fossils revealed that coprolites and regurgitalites increased in size and variety, marking the emergence of larger animals and diverse diets.

Through the study of bromalites’ shape and contents, and their link to fossilized skeletons and footprints, researchers identified and categorized the animals likely behind them. This analysis helped frame the types of dinosaurs and other vertebrate animals in their respective landscapes. “It’s a bit like a CT scanner at the hospital,” the researchers noted, referring to the sophisticated scanning processes used to examine the fossils. The coprolites uncovered the remains of fish, insects, plants, and occasionally other prey, revealing a transition from a world scarce in dinosaurs to one they dominated.

The rise of dinosaurs followed five key phases. Initially, their ancestors were omnivorous. They evolved into the first carnivorous and herbivorous dinosaurs. A pivotal moment occurred when increased volcanic activity created a more diverse plant life, spawning larger and varied herbivore dinosaurs. This phase climaxed with giant carnivorous dinosaurs, which maintained dominion until the asteroid impact 66 million years ago ended their era.

Before this research, two theories attempted to explain the dinosaurs’ ascension: they physically outcompeted rivals due to an upright stance, or they adapted better to dramatic climatic changes at the Triassic’s end. However, the study suggests a combination of both hypotheses: “Eat your veggies and live longer.” Dinosaurs, with a varied diet, thrived while others with restricted diets, like the turtle-headed dicynodonts, dwindled. The findings indicate a nuanced interplay of adaptability to environmental shifts and diverse dietary habits led to their supremacy.