Jingszo !

Prior evidence for the pterosaur diet was mainly based on indirect evidence related to their morphology or features of their anatomy, the structure of their beak being one example. A few studies have found remnants of food in pterosaur remains, either within the stomach, the mouth or as waste products. These included some evidence of fish and insect consumption. However, new research discussed in a report from Science Bulletin provides the first direct evidence that pterosaurs were perfectly happy to eat a full meal of plant material.

The report details the findings of a well-preserved young pterosaur, specifically Sinopterus atavismus, from the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation in western Liaoning, China. In addition to the specimen being almost entirely intact, the pterosaur had a full stomach. The researchers found an abundance of phytoliths—tiny particles from plant cells— within the fossilized stomach.