TY  - JOUR
AU  - Román, Zsófia
AU  - Segesdi, Martin
AU  - Sebe, Krisztina
AU  - Földes, Tamás
AU  - Bakrač, Koraljka
AU  - Virág, Attila
AU  - Botfalvai, Gábor
TI  - Palaeontological and taphonomical investigations of the exceptionally rich concentration of Miocene vertebrate coprolites from Pécs-Danitzpuszta (Hungary, Mecsek Mts.)
JF  - HISTORICAL BIOLOGY
J2  - HIST BIOL
VL  - 37
PY  - 2025
IS  - 3
SP  - 663
EP  - 678
PG  - 16
SN  - 0891-2963
DO  - 10.1080/08912963.2024.2324435
UR  - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/34728890
ID  - 34728890
AB  - Thousands of coprolites have been collected from the Upper Miocene (Tortonian/Pannonian) sands of the 
Pécs-Danitzpuszta sand pit, one of the most important mixed Neogene vertebrate localities in Hungary. 
Although, the locality has been known for centuries, the coprolites have not been investigated in detail. We 
describe these fossils and explore their palaeoecological significance. Coprolites were examined with thin 
sections, X-ray powder diffraction and computed tomography. Their surface is mostly smooth, desiccation 
cracks were not observed. All coprolites mainly consist of apatite, indicating most probably a carnivorous diet. 
No evidence of herbivory has been found so far. The coprolites contain remains belonging to several groups: 
ostracod carapaces, bivalve shells, vertebrae from bony fishes, fish scales, as well as teeth. The CT scans show 
inhomogeneities in the matrix; however, in most cases they do not reliably indicate inclusions. The taphonomical features suggest rapid burial and most likely an aquatic origin. The spiral morphotype could be attributed 
to fishes with spiral intestinal valves. Teeth of reef-associated fish taxa indicate Badenian age for some 
specimens, though the coprolite assemblage might include older and younger specimens as well.
LA  - English
DB  - MTMT
ER  -