Fossilized Vomit from 66 Million Years Ago

SOURCE www.npr.org
A fossilized vomit from 66 million years ago, containing chewed up crinoid fragments, was found at Stevns Klint in Denmark and is now at a museum. The fossil provides insight into predator-prey relationships in the Cretaceous sea.

Key Points

  • The fossil was found at Stevns Klint in Denmark
  • It contains chewed up crinoid fragments and possibly bryozoans
  • Regurgitalites are part of the record of 'trace fossils', giving insight into prehistoric ecosystems

Pros

  • Provides important new knowledge about predator-prey relationships in the Cretaceous sea
  • Illustrates the feeding processes of various members of the ecosystem at that time

Cons

  • The fish's rejected meal was likely foul and toxic, indicating a desperate search for food