Dinosaur snacked on seaweed washed up on North American coasts, fossil teeth suggest

A new study published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution provides evidence that some dinosaurs may have supplemented their diet with marine material washed ashore. The research builds on the concept of marine subsidization (MS), where storms transport seaweed, algae and other marine debris onto coastal lands. In modern ecosystems, MS is a frequent source of food for terrestrial animals, especially when terrestrial productivity drops during droughts. By examining fossilized teeth, the authors identified wear patterns and chemical signatures consistent with the consumption of seaweed or other marine matter. The findings suggest that dinosaurs and their prey were opportunistic feeders, taking advantage of the occasional bounty delivered by storms. This expands the known range of dietary flexibility among Mesozoic herbivores and carnivores, linking ancient ecosystems to processes still observed today. The study underscores how coastal storm events can bridge marine and land food webs, offering a temporary nutritional boost that can influence survival and behavior. These insights also raise questions about the role of coastal environments in dinosaur migration and habitat use.

What to watch: Future research may explore how widespread marine subsidization was among other extinct groups.

Editor's note: The article accurately summarizes the source material, though it generalizes the scope of the study's specific findings.

This article is AI-generated and fact-gated. Original reporting: Phys.org