Introducing Bakiribu Waridza: The Pterosaur Found in Fossilized Dinosaur Vomit
Imagine the scenario: a paleontologist discovers a new species of pterosaur from remains found in fossilized dinosaur vomit. This is exactly what has happened with the recent description of a fascinating new species named Bakiribu waridza. The name translates to “comb mouth” in the language of the Kariri people, indigenous to Brazil where the fossil was unearthed.
The unique characteristic of Bakiribu lies in its jaw structure, which is filled with long, bristle-like teeth. These teeth were likely used for filter-feeding, similar to modern baleen whales.
The discovery of Bakiribu was quite accidental, as the fossils were found in a concretion along with fish bones. Upon closer examination, it was determined that the concretion was actually a regurgitalite – fossilized vomit.
Some of the pterosaur bones showed signs of being cracked and broken, possibly from the predator attempting to consume them. However, the predator couldn’t stomach the comb-like teeth of the pterosaur and regurgitated them along with the fish.
The Culprit Behind the Vomit
While the identity of the dinosaur responsible for the regurgitated mass remains uncertain, the leading suspect is a spinosaurid. These predators were known for primarily feeding on fish, with occasional pterosaurs also on their menu.
Bakiribu represents the first filter-feeding pterosaur discovered in Brazil, shedding light on the evolution of these flying reptiles. The discovery not only adds to our understanding of pterosaurs but also provides insights into the interactions between different species in an ancient ecosystem.
The findings of this research were published in the journal Scientific Reports.
