Artist’s reconstruction of the filter-feeding pterosaur Baricibo Wardza general and sp. Nov. in the Early Cretaceous Romualdo Formation environment. Spinosaurus in the background represents the putative predator that produced the regurgitate described here. Credit: Julio Lacerda.
An area known as the Santana Group in the Araripe Basin of northeastern Brazil has long been an important fossil site, contributing significantly to knowledge of the Cretaceous period. In particular, it has recovered many pterosaur specimens. And now, a study, published in Scientific reportsadds another valuable piece to the paleontological puzzle with the discovery of a new filter-feeding species of pterosaur.
A unique pattern
Perhaps the most interesting part of the discovery is that the new species was discovered in a “regurgitate”—specifically, fossilized dinosaur vomit—that was already housed at the Museo Camara Cascodo (MCC) at the University Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). The specimen was largely neglected and even excavations within the Santana Group and information on precise provenance were lacking.
The team says the fossil contains the partial remains of two newly discovered species, which they call Bekiribo wardza, along with four fishes. The positioning of the contents helped confirm its identification as a regurgitate along with pterosaur fracture bones.
“As a result of mechanical processing by Shatter, the dissolution of pterosaur bones most likely occurred during ingestion. The absence of associated soft tissues is consistent with the bias of the hard part of regurgitation, which is produced by preferential digestion of soft tissues, and may later be admixed due to barial alteration.”
Reconstruction of the type specimens of Bekiribo Wardza Gen. ET SP November A, close-up view of MCC 1271.1-V (main part). B, Simplified schematic reconstruction of the holotype based on fragments A, B, C, and D. C, Simplified schematic reconstruction of holotype based on fragments E, F, and G. Scale bar equals 10 mm. Credit: Scientific reports (2025) doi: 10.1038/S41598-025-22983-3
First of its kind
The team conducted a phylogenetic analysis, along with paleohistological analysis of teeth and bones, to determine where the species fit in its family tree. Although many pterosaurs appear to have inhabited this region, none of the discovered species were filter feeders.
They say that their analysis shows Bakiribo to be a close relative of Pterodastro. Both are classified as Cetinochasmatiidae, a large family of filter-feeding pterosaurs distinguished by long snouts and numerous fine teeth.
“Phylogenetic analysis recovers Baccaribo as the sister taxon to Pterodaster, forming a clade more closely related to Gagepterus, which is recast as a non-ctenochasmatine. Regarding certain traits, such as tooth density, and counts, Baccaribo is interphyletic, and Bicaribo is interspecific. “Evolutionary divergence within ctenochasmatinae,” the study authors write.
Insights into prehistoric food chains
The discovery also offers a glimpse into ancient food chains in the region. A regurgitate is fairly clear evidence of pterosaurs acting as prey for larger dinosaurs. The team isn’t sure which dinosaur is the culprit for this particular incident, but they have some clues thanks to the shape and contents of the fossil.
“Among the possible predators in the Romualdo Formation paleosystem, spinosaurid dinosaurs and ornithochiriform pterosaurs stand out as potential candidates, given their unsophisticated adaptations and documented occurrences reported from the same formation,” explain the study’s authors.
This unexpected insight from the museum’s back room has increased understanding of pterosaur evolution, dispersal and predator-prey dynamics. The study’s authors note that it also “underscores the importance of undisturbed, long-lived museum specimens to reveal important evolutionary and paleoecological insights.”
Written for you by our writer Crystal Castle, edited by Gabby Clark, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Egan. This article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting is important to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You will find one Ad free Thanks as thanks.
More information:
RV Pagas et al., a regurgitator, has demonstrated a new filter-feeding filter by the Santana Group, Scientific reports (2025) doi: 10.1038/S41598-025-22983-3
© 2025 ScienceX Network
Reference: New pterosaur species previously discovered in neglected specimen of dinosaur regurgitate (2025, November 12) Retrieved November 12, 2025 from https://phys.org/news/2025-11-pterosaur-species-preverve-overlypecemen.html
This document is subject to copyright. No part may be reproduced without written permission, except in fair cases for the purpose of private study or research. The content is provided for informational purposes only.
