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What do recent fossil discoveries tell us about prehistoric predator-prey interactions?
Fossil evidence, such as bite marks on a 13-million-year-old terror bird fossil, shows that predators like caimans preyed on large birds. These findings revise previous ideas about predator-prey relationships in South American ecosystems, revealing a complex web of interactions among ancient animals.
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How did ancient creatures like terror birds and giant sloths survive and hunt?
Terror birds likely hunted smaller animals and scavenged, while giant ground sloths like Megalonyx jeffersonii were herbivores that roamed the landscape. Discoveries of fossils in different regions help us understand their diets and behaviors, painting a clearer picture of their survival strategies.
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What new evidence is there about herbivory in pterosaurs?
Recent findings of plant phytoliths inside a pterosaur's stomach provide direct evidence that some flying reptiles were herbivores. This challenges earlier assumptions that pterosaurs were primarily carnivorous and suggests a more diverse diet among these ancient flying animals.
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How do these fossil discoveries change our understanding of ancient ecosystems?
These discoveries highlight the complexity of prehistoric food chains and animal interactions. They show that ancient ecosystems were dynamic, with predators, herbivores, and scavengers all playing vital roles, which helps scientists reconstruct more accurate models of past environments.
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Why are incidental fossil finds important for understanding prehistoric life?
Accidental discoveries, like fossils found during infrastructure projects, often provide unexpected insights into ancient ecosystems. These finds can fill gaps in our knowledge, revealing new behaviors and species that were previously unknown or misunderstood.