Work

Digesting an ancient ecosystem: coprolites from the Grippia bonebed, Lower Triassic, Svalbard

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The marine Grippia bonebed from Vikinghøgda Formation, Lower Triassic, Svalbard is composed of scattered skeletal remains, teeth and coprolites. From this, five coprolite morphotypes have been identified and described. In this study 97 coprolites were examined and classified based on their morphology and inclusions. Thin sections, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) were used to analyze the inclusions revealing skeletal material, fish scales and notably the first observations of invertebrates in this locality. Among the invertebrate components were sponge spicules, a fragment of a cephalopod shell and numerous onychites. Potential coprolite producers are evaluated and likely include chondrichthyans, osteichthyes, ichthyopterygians and temnospondyls. Additionally, this research provides a CT-scanning method for identifying low-density inclusions such as onychites and contribute to a better understanding of the marine Early Triassic paleoecosystem and food web on Svalbard.

Source: PeerJ

DOI: 10.7717/peerj.20746

Authors: Vanja Simonsen, Aubrey Jane Roberts, Victoria Sjøholt Engelschiøn, Øyvind Hammer, Jørn H. Hurum

Institutions: University of Oslo, Natural History Museum

Language: English

Topic: Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology

Subfield: Paleontology

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,395

Funders: National Geographic Society, Tullow Oil