The Historic Find: Oldest Terrestrial Regurgitalite Unearthed

In a remarkable breakthrough in paleontology, researchers have identified what stands as the oldest confirmed example of fossilized vomit from a fully terrestrial ecosystem. This 290-million-year-old specimen, scientifically termed a regurgitalite, was discovered at the renowned Bromacker locality in Thuringia, Germany. Unearthed amid a treasure trove of well-preserved fossils, this lime-sized cluster offers an unprecedented snapshot into the dietary habits of ancient land predators long before the age of dinosaurs.

The Bromacker site, a UNESCO-recognized fossil hotspot, has yielded thousands of specimens from the Early Permian period, approximately 290 million years ago. This arid valley, once dotted with conifers and teeming with early tetrapods, preserves a 'prehistoric time capsule' of predator-prey dynamics. The regurgitalite's discovery in 2021, initially overlooked among loose bones, was only revealed through meticulous cleaning and advanced imaging techniques.

Deciphering Bromalites: Coprolites vs. Regurgitalites

To appreciate this find, it's essential to understand bromalites—fossilized digestive remains that include coprolites (fossilized feces), regurgitalites (fossilized vomit), enterolites (gut contents), and cololites (fossilized intestines). Coprolites typically contain fully digested, fragmented material rich in phosphorus from bone dissolution in the gut. In contrast, regurgitalites preserve more intact skeletal elements because the material is expelled before complete digestion, often wrapped in low-phosphorus matrix from gastric mucus.

• Coprolites: Processed through the entire digestive tract; common in marine settings but rarer on land due to poor preservation.
• Regurgitalites: Rapid expulsion of indigestible parts, akin to modern owls pellets; ideal for identifying prey species precisely.
• Key distinction: Chemical analysis shows regurgitalites have lower phosphorus and higher nitrogen, confirming non-fecal origin.

This Permian example marks the earliest terrestrial regurgitalite, pushing back evidence of such behavior by tens of millions of years.

Unpacking the Fossil: A Diverse Predator's Meal

Computed tomography (CT) scans revealed 41 tiny bones within the matrix, belonging to at least three distinct prey animals. These included:

• Remains of Eudibamus cursoris, a fast-moving lizard-like diadectomorph known for its agile limbs.
• Bones from Thuringothyris mahlendorffae, a small basal sauropsid (early reptile relative).
• A substantial limb bone from a larger, unidentified herbivorous reptilelike animal, suggesting the predator tackled oversized meals.

The bones' articulation—such as connected leg elements—and fresh breakage patterns indicate recent consumption, likely within days of death. The prey co-occurred in the fossil record, dying around the same time, highlighting a tightly knit Permian ecosystem.

This opportunistic mix underscores how apex predators scavenged or hunted whatever was available, much like contemporary wolves or big cats.

Prime Suspects: Dimetrodon and Tambacarnifex as Culprits

The predator responsible was a top carnivore capable of subduing diverse prey. Leading candidates are:

• Dimetrodon teutonis: A sail-backed pelycosaur synapsid (mammal ancestor), about 20-30 inches long excluding tail, with powerful jaws. Often misidentified as a dinosaur, it predates them by 40 million years.
• Tambacarnifex unguifalcatus: Another varanopid synapsid resembling a monitor lizard, similarly sized and predatory.

Both inhabited Bromacker and matched the regurgitalite's estimated volume. Their opportunistic feeding mirrors modern reptiles like Komodo dragons, which regurgitate fur and bones.

Mark MacDougall: Championing Canadian Paleontology at Brandon University

Central to this study is Mark J. MacDougall, assistant professor in the Department of Biology and Geography at Brandon University in Manitoba, Canada. A specialist in Permian tetrapods, MacDougall co-authored the paper, providing critical expertise on the fossils' ecological context. His involvement highlights Brandon U's growing role in global paleontology.

MacDougall noted, “This fossil is extremely important for understanding how early land ecosystems worked... the predator clearly bit off more than it could stomach.” For aspiring researchers, opportunities abound in Canadian higher education; explore research jobs or faculty positions to contribute to such discoveries.

Brandon University, a leader in interdisciplinary science, fosters hands-on research that punches above its weight internationally.

The Early Permian: Setting the Stage for Mammalian Evolution

The Early Permian (298-283 million years ago) was a pivotal era post-Karboniferous rainforest collapse, ushering arid landscapes and the rise of synapsids—our distant ancestors. Bromacker exemplifies this 'Romer's Gap' transition, with diverse amniotes adapting to terrestrial life.

Statistics from paleontological surveys indicate over 1,000 vertebrate specimens from Bromacker, including 20+ synapsid species. This regurgitalite adds behavioral data, revealing food webs where synapsids dominated before archosaurs (dinosaur kin) rose.

Advanced Techniques: How Science Unraveled the Vomit

Researchers employed step-by-step methods:

1. Gross morphology: Visual inspection post-cleaning revealed clustered bones.
2. CT scanning: Non-destructive 3D imaging quantified 41 elements and matrix composition.
3. Chemical analysis: Low phosphorus confirmed regurgitalite over coprolite.
4. Comparative anatomy: Matched bones to Bromacker taxa.

Published in Scientific Reports on January 30, 2026, the study exemplifies modern paleontology's tech-driven precision.

Broader Impacts: Reshaping Views on Ancient Diets and Ecosystems

This find challenges assumptions of specialized diets in Permian predators, proving opportunistic strategies prevailed. It provides direct trophic links, rare in fossils where stomach contents seldom preserve.

Implications extend to evolutionary biology: Synapsids' flexible feeding aided mammalian success. For Canadian academics, it underscores federal funding's role—NSERC grants support such international collaborations.

Stakeholders like museum curators and educators gain tools for public outreach, demystifying pre-dinosaur life.

Canadian Paleontology: A Thriving Field with Global Reach

Canada boasts world-class sites like Dinosaur Provincial Park and Burgess Shale, but Permian research thrives at institutions like Brandon U and U of Alberta. MacDougall's work builds on this legacy, attracting talent.

Recent stats: Over 500 paleontology publications from Canadian unis in 2025. Job seekers, check Canadian university jobs or professor jobs in earth sciences.

Looking Ahead: Future Research and Opportunities

Ongoing Bromacker excavations may yield more bromalites, while isotopic analysis could pinpoint exact regurgitation timing. AI-enhanced CT could revolutionize fossil gut content studies.

For students, higher ed career advice emphasizes interdisciplinary skills. Institutions like Brandon U offer postdocs—visit postdoc jobs.

Photo by Askara Svarga on Unsplash

Why This Matters for Higher Education and Research Careers

This discovery exemplifies how small-team, international research drives big insights. Aspiring paleontologists, rate professors via Rate My Professor, browse higher ed jobs, or seek university jobs in Canada. Share your thoughts in comments and advance the field.