Application of bromalites in palaeoecological research: A review

Coprolites are the fossilized animal faeces while bromalites are the fossilized food remains ingested by ancient animals. As an important type of trace fossils, bromalites carry copious palaeoecological information that is not available through the study of body fossils. Therefore, studying these fossils opens a window for understanding the behavioral ecology and predator-prey relationship of ancient animals and food chain/web structures of ancient ecosystems. Further, fossilized parasites within coprolites provide direct evidence on the origin and evolution of intestinal parasites. Besides, coprolites produced by potential hominins in Cenozoic caves provides pivotal clues in elucidating the recipes and health conditions of ancient humans. In addition, plant remains (pollen and phytoliths) within Mesozoic and Cenozoic coprolites supply crucial evidence from which palaeo-vegetation, climate and animal-plant relationships can be well reconstructed. This paper reviews the history of bromalite studies and sums up the recent advances of applying bromalite to various aspects of palaeoecologic interpretations mentioned above. It is concluded that bromalites serve as significant proxies in palaeoecological interpretations. Finally, we sum up new techniques (such as CT scan technology) used in bromalite studies and propose possible future development directions, which we hope may boost the bromalite studies in China.

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