These findings enhance our understanding of Permian diets, paleoecological interactions, and even the microenvironments within feces!
Full text as preprint: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18978067
or final published peer-reviewed paper:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palwor.2025.201060
#Science #Paleoecology #Microfossils #PermianLife
Questions or thoughts? Drop them below! 👇
Coprolites have provided valuable insights into paleoecological relationships, such as predation and parasitism, as well as taphonomic and paleoenvironmental conditions. However, few studies have focused on coprolites from the Rio do Rasto Formation, despite their abundance in this formation. Here, we analyze and describe 97 coprolites from 11 sites within the Rio do Rasto Formation (middle/upper Permian) of Paraná Basin (southern Brazil). External and internal features were examined, classifying the material into four morphotypes: heteropolar (12%), amphipolar (11%), indeterminate spiral (40%) and non-spiral (37%). Alimentary inclusions, such as fish scales, teeth, bone fragments, plants and insect wing, were identified in nearly all specimens. Additionally, microorganisms and parasites were preserved within the fecal matrix, including bacilli bacteria, Actinomycete biofilm, fungal hyphae and spores, Nostocales and Chroococcales cyanobacteria, and cestode eggs. The bacteria and fungi originated from the intestinal tract of the producer before the extrusion, while the cyanobacteria were ingested from the water where these animals lived in. The new occurrence of cestode eggs provide direct evidence of parasitism and corroborates the existence of this relationship from at least the Permian. The phosphatic composition of the coprolites, combined with bacterial and fungal activity, was crucial for preserving delicate organic remains (e.g., plant and insect wing) and organisms (e.g., parasites). These findings enhance our understanding of the producer diet, paleoecological interactions, and the microenvironment within the feces.
Our last workshop for the Paleo 2026 Symposium was a great one! Dr. Julien Divay showed us how to identify different fish species from their microfossils. It was amazing to see how tiny details in the patterns of their vertebrae or other features could be used to accurately tell apart different fish! What a great way to end off our symposium!
We had a great first fossil sorting session of 2026! Some really incredibly preserved teeth and fish bits this time.
If you're sad that you missed your chance, no worries! We have three more sessions before the summer:
Sunday, Feb.8
Sunday, Feb. 22
Sunday, March 8
Everyone is welcome! If you're in the Calgary area, why not give it a try?
See https://albertapaleo.org/events/fossilsorting for more information.
On November 23rd we had our last fossil sorting session of 2025! It was a great haul, with plenty of unusual specimens.
1 - Fish Barb - Vaclav Marsovsky
2 - Multituberculate molar - @eric
3 - Amphibian(?) Vertebra - Jolinda Botha
4 - Rodent Incisor and Molar, Lizard Jaw Fragment - Matthew Rhodes
Our sessions are going to start up again in 2026 - check out https://albertapaleo.org/events/fossilsorting for more details!
#palaeontology #paleontology #fossils #microfossils #fish #multituberculate #teeth
Another great fossil sorting session this Sunday! It was an unusually fishy afternoon with lots of centra, scales, teeth, and fin rays from several different species being found, among the usual collection of teeth and bone fragments.
Our next session will be Sunday, Nov. 23 at MRU in Calgary. Everyone is welcome, so come on by!
https://albertapaleo.org/events/fossilsorting for more information.
Another great Sunday sorting fossils! It was a spectacular haul with a surprising number of partial jaw fragments found this time.
Rodent molar - CS Ling
Reptile Jaw - Daegan Kovacs
Phalanx - Labib Chowdhury
If you'd like to come assist palaeontological research, our next session is this Sunday! https://albertapaleo.org/events/fossilsorting for more information.
#paleontology #paleontology #fossils #microfossils #alberta #eocene
Two events this week!
Thursday, October 23, 5 - 7, Edmonton: Lecture by Dr. Caldwell. Hosted by the University of Alberta Palaeontological Society!
Sunday, October 26, 1 - 3:30, Calgary: Microfossil Sorting with the Alberta Palaeontological Society!
See https://albertapaleo.org/events/calendar for more information.
#palaeontology #paleontology #fossils #dinosaurs #microfossils #alberta
Save the Date!
New dates for our popular microfossil sorting have been announced:
- Sunday, October 26
- Sunday, November 2
- Sunday, November 23
All sessions will be from 1 - 3:30pm in rm. B140 at Mount Royal University, Calgary.
Join us to sort through Eocene sediment to help the research of Dr. Theodor and Dr. Dutchak!
No experience necessary - all are welcome!
See https://albertapaleo.org/events for more details.
#palaeontology #paleontology #fossils #microfossils #ab #alberta #yyc
Kenneth De Baets
Alberta Palaeo Society
Michael Hesemann