For the first time, scientists have uncovered direct evidence of what prehistoric flying reptiles, known as pterosaurs, actually ate.
Two remarkable fossils dating back 182 million years have revealed that these ancient aviators dined on fish and squid, providing an unprecedented look into their diets and the ecosystems they once ruled.
The discovery, led by researchers from the University of Portsmouth and the Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart in Germany, sheds light on how different pterosaur species coexisted millions of years ago without competing for the same food.
This article is for general knowledge only and is based on information from online sources. Photos are for illustrative purposes and do not show the exact fossils mentioned.
A Rare Glimpse Into Ancient Diets
The research, published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, marks the first-ever confirmed discovery of fossilised stomach contents in pterosaurs. The two species (Dorygnathus and Campylognathoides) lived during the early Jurassic period in what is now south-west Germany.
Dr Roy Smith from the University of Portsmouth called the find incredibly rare, explaining that it serves as smoking gun evidence for pterosaur feeding habits. The fossilised remains give scientists a direct window into their lives: what they ate, how they hunted, and how they fit into their prehistoric ecosystems.
Fish Or Squid? The Menu Was Diverse
The study revealed that Dorygnathus consumed small fish, while Campylognathoides appeared to have eaten prehistoric squid. This distinction is key because it shows that the two species likely had different hunting strategies and feeding specialisations, allowing them to share the same environment without competing.
Dr Samuel Cooper, also from the University of Portsmouth, noted that until now, scientists tended to assume that both species fed mainly on fish. The discovery of squid remains in Campylognathoides suggests it had a much more varied diet than previously believed.
Rewriting What We Know About Pterosaurs
The discovery challenges long-held assumptions about these flying reptiles. Pterosaurs have often been portrayed as generic fish-eaters, but the fossil evidence shows a more nuanced picture. By targeting different prey, species like Dorygnathus and Campylognathoides were able to thrive side by side, each occupying a distinct ecological niche.
Beyond diet, the findings highlight how complex prehistoric food webs truly were, and how even apex predators depended on delicate ecological balances, just as modern ecosystems do today.
Smoking Gun Evidence From 182 Million Years Ago
Finding fossilised stomach contents is exceptionally unusual in palaeontology. Soft tissues and gut contents rarely survive the fossilisation process, which typically preserves only bones and teeth. These two specimens from south-west Germany represent a scientific jackpot, offering concrete proof rather than educated guesses about ancient diets.
The preservation quality allowed researchers to identify specific prey items with confidence. Before this discovery, scientists could only infer pterosaur diets based on tooth shape, jaw structure, and habitat clues. Now, they have definitive evidence that transforms speculation into fact.
Ecological Separation Prevented Competition
When multiple predator species share the same habitat, they often develop strategies to avoid competing for resources. This phenomenon, called niche partitioning, appears to have been at work among early Jurassic pterosaurs. Dorygnathus focused on fish near the water surface, while Campylognathoides pursued cephalopods like squid.
This dietary division meant both species could flourish without depleting each other’s food sources. Such ecological arrangements are common in modern wildlife and clearly existed millions of years before humans walked the Earth. Nature has always found clever ways to balance survival needs.
South-West Germany’s Jurassic Treasure Trove
South-west Germany has long been recognised as one of the world’s premier fossil sites for early Jurassic marine life. The region’s unique geological conditions created ideal preservation circumstances, capturing snapshots of life from 182 million years ago. Numerous pterosaur specimens have emerged from these ancient seabeds.
The area was once covered by a shallow tropical sea teeming with diverse life forms. When creatures died, they sank into oxygen-poor sediments that slowed decomposition, allowing exceptional preservation. These German fossil beds continue to yield discoveries that reshape our understanding of prehistoric life.
