Permian Bromacker predator regurgitalite + amphibian tracks from Middle Jurassic of China
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Ben Creisler
Jan 30, 2026, 4:11:49 PM (3 days ago) Jan 30
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Ben Creisler
New tetrapod papers:
Arnaud Rebillard, Andréas Jannel, Lorenzo Marchetti, Mark J. MacDougall, Christopher Hamann, J.-Sébastien Steyer & Jörg Fröbisch (2026)
Early Permian terrestrial apex predator regurgitalite indicates opportunistic feeding behaviour
Scientific Reports 16: 1087
doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-33381-0
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-33381-0
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 feeding behaviour. The regurgitalite size and composition suggest an apex predator as producer, such as the sphenacodontid Dimetrodon teutonis or the varanopid Tambacarnifex unguifalcatus, both known from Bromacker. This specimen represents the geologically oldest terrestrial regurgitalite and reveals novel insights into the feeding behaviours and the trophic network in a late Palaeozoic continental ecosystem.
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News:
Bromacker regurgitalite reveals what an early land predator spit up 290 million years ago
https://phys.org/news/2026-01-bromacker-regurgitalite-reveals-early-predator.html
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Xida Xing, Hendrik Klein, Jialong Li & Xinnan Yang (2026)
Possible caudata tracks from the Middle Jurassic Yaopo formation in Beijing, China
Ichnos (advance online publication)
doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/10420940.2026.2622346
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10420940.2026.2622346
Amphibian tracks are rare components of Mesozoic continental ichnoassemblages. Recently, the Middle Jurassic Yaopo Formation in Beijing, China, yielded a small isolated pes-manus set (imprints less than 2 cm in length and width) that can be attributed to an amphibian trackmaker. While the pes imprint is poorly preserved showing five indistinctly impressed short and broad digit traces and a broad palm impression posteriorly, the manus has a more clear morphology with four long and slender digit traces and a short, oval palm impression. In the pes digit IV seems to be longest and digit I shortest, in the manus digit III is longest, followed by II, IV and I which is shortest. Small acuminate claw traces are observed in the manus. Morphological similarities to other amphibian tracks from the global record are discussed, however, because of the isolated incomplete specimen lacking informations on a characteristic trackway pattern we avoid assignment to a distinct ichnotaxon. A detailed analysis and comparison of the Yaopo tracks with data from amphibian skeletal fossils and their autopodia suggest best match with Salamandroidea. Potential discoveries of further amphibian ichnofossils in the Yaopo Formation will enable a detailed environmental analysis including the present Middle Jurassic flora with ferns, gingkos, cycads, and conifers.
Free pdf:
Arnaud Rebillard, Andréas Jannel, Lorenzo Marchetti, Mark J. MacDougall, Christopher Hamann, J.-Sébastien Steyer & Jörg Fröbisch (2026)
Early Permian terrestrial apex predator regurgitalite indicates opportunistic feeding behaviour
Scientific Reports 16: 1087
doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-33381-0
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-33381-0
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 feeding behaviour. The regurgitalite size and composition suggest an apex predator as producer, such as the sphenacodontid Dimetrodon teutonis or the varanopid Tambacarnifex unguifalcatus, both known from Bromacker. This specimen represents the geologically oldest terrestrial regurgitalite and reveals novel insights into the feeding behaviours and the trophic network in a late Palaeozoic continental ecosystem.
****
News:
Bromacker regurgitalite reveals what an early land predator spit up 290 million years ago
https://phys.org/news/2026-01-bromacker-regurgitalite-reveals-early-predator.html
=====
Xida Xing, Hendrik Klein, Jialong Li & Xinnan Yang (2026)
Possible caudata tracks from the Middle Jurassic Yaopo formation in Beijing, China
Ichnos (advance online publication)
doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/10420940.2026.2622346
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10420940.2026.2622346
Amphibian tracks are rare components of Mesozoic continental ichnoassemblages. Recently, the Middle Jurassic Yaopo Formation in Beijing, China, yielded a small isolated pes-manus set (imprints less than 2 cm in length and width) that can be attributed to an amphibian trackmaker. While the pes imprint is poorly preserved showing five indistinctly impressed short and broad digit traces and a broad palm impression posteriorly, the manus has a more clear morphology with four long and slender digit traces and a short, oval palm impression. In the pes digit IV seems to be longest and digit I shortest, in the manus digit III is longest, followed by II, IV and I which is shortest. Small acuminate claw traces are observed in the manus. Morphological similarities to other amphibian tracks from the global record are discussed, however, because of the isolated incomplete specimen lacking informations on a characteristic trackway pattern we avoid assignment to a distinct ichnotaxon. A detailed analysis and comparison of the Yaopo tracks with data from amphibian skeletal fossils and their autopodia suggest best match with Salamandroidea. Potential discoveries of further amphibian ichnofossils in the Yaopo Formation will enable a detailed environmental analysis including the present Middle Jurassic flora with ferns, gingkos, cycads, and conifers.
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