Vomiting isn’t unique to humans. Animals, including our pets, also regurgitate. Now, evidence of this biological process has been found in the fossil record. A remarkable discovery in Denmark provides a glimpse into the dietary habits of a prehistoric fish from 66 million years ago.
This fossilized vomit, scientifically known as regurgitalite, is more than just ancient upchuck. It’s a valuable trace fossil, offering insights into how prehistoric creatures interacted with their environment during the late Cretaceous period, the final era of the dinosaurs.
Discovered embedded in a piece of chalk at Stevns Klint (Cliffs of Stevns) on the island of Zealand by local fossil hunter Peter Bennicke, the regurgitalite dates back to a time just before the dinosaur extinction event. The fossil was subsequently cleaned and analyzed by John Jagt, a sea lily expert at the Østsjællands Museum.
Jagt’s analysis revealed the fossilized vomit contained the remains of two ancient sea lily species. The amorphous clump of skeletal material strongly suggests the remains were regurgitated by a predator, likely an ancient fish.
Sea lilies, primarily composed of calcareous plates with minimal soft tissue, aren’t considered a particularly nutritious food source. “Sea lilies are not a particularly nutritious diet, as they mainly consist of calcareous plates held together by very few soft parts,” said Jesper Milan, a curator at the Geomuseum Faxe, in a museum release. “But here is an animal, probably a type of fish, that 66 million years ago ate sea lilies that lived on the bottom of the Cretaceous sea and regurgitated the skeletal parts back up.” This discovery indicates the fish likely consumed the sea lilies, digesting the soft tissues and expelling the indigestible skeletal remains.
This isn’t the first time fossilized vomit has provided valuable paleontological information. A recent study published in Nature detailed the analysis of fossilized dinosaur vomit (and feces) found in Poland. These ichnofossils, including regurgitalites, shed light on the symbiotic relationships and environmental adaptations of ancient organisms.
The Danish regurgitalite is slated for display at the Geomuseum Faxe. While a physical visit offers the best experience, those unable to travel can appreciate the image provided. And thankfully, unlike modern vomit, this ancient specimen doesn’t carry any unpleasant odor.
