Coprolite evidence for carnivorous predation in a Late Devonian pelagic environment of southern Laurussia

摘要: Small, light-brown and beige cylindrical structures found in the lower Famennian (Upper Devonian) shales marls of Holy Cross Mountains area, central Poland, have been investigated for first time. Their compact, pellet-shaped morphology presence various fossil fragments scattered within phosphatic groundmass clearly indicate that they are coprolites. The coprolite inclusions dominated by arthropod cuticle followed fish remains, one conodont, scolecodont. represented crustacean-like thylacocephalan Concavicaris three other different types arthropods uncertain affinity. some conical resembling telsons from phyllocarid crustaceans suggests may belong to group arthropods. remains mainly consist actinopterygian paleoniscoid scales sarcopterygian teeth. Taking both facies characteristics into account, it is clear coprolites originated a carnivorous pelagic fishes hunted swimming Surprisingly, similar faunal contents consisting fishes, arthropods, conodonts occur situ body cavities cladoselachian sharks Cleveland Shale, Ohio. Such coincidence at least Poland also produced sharks. preservation defecated was influenced an interplay between oxygen-deficient benthic environment devoid bioturbators scavengers rapid, microbially-driven phosphatization.