Morphology and composition of bone-bearing coprolites from the Late Permian Beaufort Group, Karoo Basin, South Africa

摘要: Abstract Bone-bearing coprolites are fossilised faeces of carnivores and as such they provide important information about food webs feeding strategies the ancient ecosystem. With this aim we examined morphology composition Late Permian bone-bearing from Hoedemaker Member Teekloof Formation (Lower Beaufort Group) southern Karoo Basin, South Africa. Analysis size shape 150 specimens collected member resulted in recognition 5 different morphotypes. Each morphotype is matched to carnivorous taxa within Tropidostoma Assemblage Zone fauna which biostratigraphically defines strata part basin. Morphotype 1 long cylinder-shaped non-segmented faeces, or possible cololites, rounded at both ends commonly contain complete small bones well bone fragments were most likely produced by large gorgonopsians Aelurognathus Gorgonops torvus . Smaller, tubular 2 attributed smaller therocephalians juvenile gorgonopsians. Rare double-pointed 3 similar scats modern wild cat attribute these medium-sized Cyonosaurus Lycaenops possibly juveniles gorgonopsian species. 4 bullet-shaped interpreted disaggregated portions compound faeces. They common coprolite found mudrocks also rare flattened disc-shaped that abundant fish-scales linked temnospondyl, Rhinesuchus africanus , only known piscivore assemblage. Analyses microstructure inclusions morphotypes 1–4 revealed two distinct tissue types. Bone type A consists highly vascularised, rapidly-forming being very young perinatal and/or early therapsids, probably dicynodonts. Judging relative abundance their body fossils, herbivorous dicynodonts far tetrapods it young, embryonic neonatal juveniles, preyed upon. Some larger swallowed prey whole, with minimal mastication, allowing limbs pass through digestive tract articulation. Inclusions B, poorly-vascularised, slow-growing bone, be skeletal remains parareptiles.