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Article: First record of Mesozoic scroll coprolites: classification, characteristics, elemental composition and probable producers

Palaeontology - Vol. 62 Part 3 - Cover Image
Publication: Palaeontology
Volume: 62
Part: 3
Publication Date: May 2019
Page(s): 451 471
Author(s): Nibedita Rakshit, Mohd Shafi Bhat, Debarati Mukherjee, and Sanghamitra Ray
Addition Information

How to Cite

RAKSHIT, N., BHAT, M.S., MUKHERJEE, D., RAY, S. 2019. First record of Mesozoic scroll coprolites: classification, characteristics, elemental composition and probable producers. Palaeontology, 62, 3, 451-471. DOI: /doi/10.1111/pala.12409

Author Information

  • Nibedita Rakshit - Department of Geology & Geophysics Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur 721302 India
  • Mohd Shafi Bhat - Department of Geology & Geophysics Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur 721302 India
  • Debarati Mukherjee - Department of Biological Sciences University of Cape Town Private Bag X3, Rhodes Gift 7701 Cape Town South Africa
  • Sanghamitra Ray - Department of Geology & Geophysics Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur 721302 India

Publication History

  • Issue published online: 22 April 2019
  • Manuscript Accepted: 21 September 2018
  • Manuscript Received: 10 May 2018

Funded By

Council of Scientific & industrial Research, India
Department of Science and Technology, India. Grant Number: SERB/SR/S4/ES‐604/2012

Online Version Hosted By

Wiley Online Library
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Abstract

Multiple, small, cylindrical scroll coprolites having rounded and tapering ends and pertaining to a new ichnotaxon have been recovered from the Upper Triassic Tiki Formation of India. This is the first record of scroll coprolites from the Mesozoic. Based on cross‐sectional geometry, external surface textures, and internal morphology, these coprolites are subdivided into three morphotypes. The coprolites contain several kinds of undigested food material in the form of ganoid fish scales, teeth, lower jaw and skeletal remains of various osteichthyans, chondrichthyans, archosauriforms and indeterminate reptiles. These inclusions are embedded in the groundmass separated by thin mucosal layers. The groundmass contains abundant gas vesicles, and secondarily‐filled shrinkage cracks. EDS analysis shows that the overall composition of the coprolites reflects Ca, P, C and O, suggesting calcium phosphate mineralogy, though other elements such as Fe, Mn, Al, Si are present in lesser proportions. Based on their similarity with the scrolled faeces of extant euryhaline hammerhead sharks, it is deduced that these coprolites were produced by euryhaline hybodontid sharks. At least two hybodontid taxa, Lonchidion and Pristrisodus, show high prevalence in the Tiki vertebrate fauna, suggesting that these were the possible producers. As the coprolite inclusions contain remains of other aquatic animals, these carnivorous hybodonts constituted the dominant predators of the Tiki aquatic ecosystem.

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