Arthropod remains in the oral cavities of fossil reptiles support inference of early insectivory

• Published in: Biology letters (2005) Vol. 5; no. 6; pp. 838 - 840
• Main Authors: Modesto, Sean P., Scott, Diane M., Reisz, Robert R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England The Royal Society 23.12.2009
• Subjects: Amniota; Animals; Arthropod; Arthropoda; Arthropods; Cuticle; Diet; Fossils; Insectivory; Mouth; Oklahoma; Palaeontology; Palaeozoic; Parareptile; Reptiles; Oklahoma

Inference of feeding preferences in fossil terrestrial vertebrates (tetrapods) has been drawn predominantly from craniodental morphology, and less so from fossil specimens preserving conclusive evidence of diet in the form of oral and/or gut contents. Recently, the pivotal role of insectivory in tet...