coprolite

[ kop-ruh-lahyt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

coprolite

/ ˈkɒprəˌlaɪt; ˌkɒprəˈlɪtɪk /

any of various rounded stony nodules thought to be the fossilized faeces of Palaeozic-Cenozoic vertebrates

coprolite

/ kŏp′rə-līt′ /

Fossilized excrement. Analysis of the fossilized animal and plant remains within coprolites provides important information about the diet and environment of ancient biota.

First recorded in 1820–30; copro- + -lite

Feces, especially from carnivores, can readily form into coprolites.

For example, coprolites have been used to show that some plant-eating dinosaurs also dined on crustaceans.

Despite this preservation power, coprolites can be overshadowed by amber, a translucent tree resin, when it comes to fossils.

Among those fossils were coprolites — fossil poop — filled with partially digested bone shards.

An earlier study, published in 2014, sifted through the tiny coprolites to look for traces of Neanderthal diets.

In many places they have been worked, under the name of “coprolite-beds,” as sources of artificial manures.

An ichthyo-coprolite from Tenby was found to contain 15.4% of phosphoric anhydride.

April 23, 2024inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

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