Unlocking Ancient Diets: Brandon University Paleontologist's Role in Fossilized Vomit Analysis

The world of paleontology occasionally delivers surprises that blend the gross with the groundbreaking, and a recent study has done just that. Assistant Professor Mark MacDougall from Brandon University in Manitoba, Canada, has co-authored research revealing the contents of a 290-million-year-old fossilized vomit, scientifically termed a regurgitalite. This extraordinary find from Germany's Bromacker fossil site offers unprecedented insights into the feeding habits of early terrestrial predators long before dinosaurs roamed the Earth.

Dating back to the Early Permian period, approximately 290 million years ago, this regurgitalite pushes the boundaries of what scientists know about prehistoric food webs. Unlike more common fossils like bones or footprints, this preserved puke provides direct evidence of what one apex predator ate—and couldn't digest—in one of Earth's earliest fully land-based ecosystems.

What Exactly is a Regurgitalite?

To understand this discovery, it's essential to define key terms. A regurgitalite is fossilized vomit, distinct from coprolites, which are fossilized feces. Coprolites typically contain fully broken-down remnants after passing through the digestive tract, while regurgitalites preserve larger, partially digested pieces expelled from the mouth shortly after ingestion. This difference is crucial because it allows researchers to identify prey species with greater precision, as bones remain more intact.

In modern animals, regurgitation is common among predators like owls, which cough up pellets of indigestible fur and bones, or wolves that sometimes reject tough meals. The ancient equivalent captured here shows that such behaviors have deep evolutionary roots, helping predators manage meals that prove too challenging.

The Bromacker Fossil Site: A Permian Treasure Trove

Located in Thuringia, central Germany, the Bromacker locality is renowned for its exceptional preservation of Early Permian vertebrates. This site, part of the Saale Basin, formed in a seasonally dry floodplain environment around 290 million years ago. It has yielded iconic fossils like the sail-backed synapsid Dimetrodon and fast-running diadectomorphs, painting a picture of diverse terrestrial life predating dinosaurs by tens of millions of years.

The ecosystem here featured apex predators, agile herbivores, and smaller reptiles coexisting in arid conditions. The regurgitalite's discovery adds a dynamic layer, illustrating not just who lived there, but how they interacted through predation.

Inside the Fossil: A Mixed Meal Revealed

Advanced imaging via CT scans and chemical analysis unveiled the regurgitalite's contents: a compact cluster of 41 bones from at least three distinct prey animals. These include:

• Remains of Eudibamus cursoris, a swift, lizard-like reptile known for its bipedal sprinting ability.
• Bones from Thuringothyris mahlendorffae, another small reptile adapted to the Permian landscape.
• A substantial limb bone from a larger herbivorous reptile, suggesting the predator tackled oversized prey.

The bones show acid etching from brief stomach exposure but remain largely articulated, confirming regurgitation rather than defecation. Low phosphorus levels in the matrix further distinguish it from coprolites, which are phosphate-rich.

Profiling the Predator: Synapsid Apex Hunters

The culprit behind this prehistoric upchuck was likely one of Bromacker's top predators: either Dimetrodon teutonis, famous for its neural sail used in thermoregulation or display, or Tambacarnifex unguifalcatus, a robust synapsid with powerful jaws. Both were synapsids—the lineage leading to mammals—resembling oversized monitor lizards in build and ferocity.

These animals measured up to 2-3 meters long, topping the food chain in a world without dinosaurs. The opportunistic feeding evidenced here—mixing small agile prey with chunkier herbivores—mirrors strategies seen in today's Komodo dragons, highlighting conserved predatory tactics over 290 million years.

Photo by Narciso Arellano on Unsplash

Brandon University’s Mark MacDougall: Bridging Continents in Paleontology

At the heart of this Canadian contribution is Mark J. MacDougall, Assistant Professor of Biology at Brandon University. Specializing in Paleozoic and Carboniferous evolution, MacDougall's expertise in vertebrate paleontology was pivotal in interpreting the fossil's ecological context. His involvement underscores how smaller Canadian institutions like Brandon U punch above their weight in global research collaborations.

"This fossil is extremely important for understanding how early land ecosystems worked,” MacDougall noted. “It’s rare to get such direct evidence of who was eating whom nearly 300 million years ago. In this case, the predator clearly bit off more than it could stomach."

Brandon University, located in southwestern Manitoba, fosters such high-impact work through its supportive research environment. Dean of Science Dr. Chris LeMoine praised the project as emblematic of BU's international partnerships. For aspiring researchers, opportunities abound in higher ed research jobs at institutions like this.

Research Methods: High-Tech Unraveling of Ancient Remains

Confirming the regurgitalite required multidisciplinary techniques:

1. CT Scanning: Non-destructive 3D imaging revealed bone identities and digestion states.
2. Chemical Analysis: Spectroscopy measured phosphorus and other markers to rule out coprolites.
3. Comparative Anatomy: Matching bones to known Bromacker species.
4. Taphonomic Study: Assessing clustering and orientation for regurgitation evidence.

The study, published in Scientific Reports on January 30, 2026, was led by Arnaud Rebillard of Berlin's Museum für Naturkunde, with contributions from French CNRS and MacDougall. Access the full paper for deeper dives: Early Permian terrestrial apex predator regurgitalite.

Implications for Early Terrestrial Ecosystems

This find illuminates the complexity of Permian food webs. It demonstrates opportunistic predation, where apex hunters scavenged or hunted varied prey, stabilizing ecosystems. Such insights challenge views of early land communities as simple, revealing sophisticated dynamics akin to modern ones.

Stakeholders in paleontology gain a tool for reconstructing trophic levels. For Canadian higher education, it highlights how university researchers advance global knowledge, attracting funding and talent. Explore career advice for academic CVs to join such endeavors.

Brandon University’s Paleontology Legacy and Future Prospects

Brandon University boasts a strong paleontology tradition, leveraging Manitoba's fossil-rich geology like the Pembina Escarpment. MacDougall's work builds on this, collaborating internationally while mentoring students. Vice-President of Research Dr. Bernadette Ardelli emphasized how such discoveries make science accessible and exciting.

Looking ahead, similar studies could uncover more regurgitalites, refining predator diets. For students eyeing paleontology, Rate My Professor reviews and research assistant jobs offer entry points. Manitoba’s universities continue thriving in this field.

Broader Impacts on Higher Education and Science Careers

This research exemplifies interdisciplinary higher ed success: biology, geology, and chemistry converging. In Canada, institutions like Brandon U provide hands-on opportunities, contrasting larger universities. Statistics from NSERC show paleontology grants rising, with 15% growth in related funding since 2020.

Challenges include fossil access and climate-impacted sites, but solutions like digital repositories emerge. Actionable advice: Pursue scholarships and build networks via conferences. For faculty, professor jobs in research-intensive roles await.

Photo by Philip Yu on Unsplash

Conclusion: A Gross Yet Glorious Glimpse into Prehistory

Mark MacDougall’s involvement in the 290-million-year-old fossilized vomit study cements Brandon University’s place in paleontological history. From opportunistic Permian predators to modern labs, it reminds us science uncovers the extraordinary in the everyday—even ancient barf.

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