Exceptionally well-preserved crocodilian coprolites from the Late Eocene of Northern Vietnam: Ichnology and paleoecological significance

Kazım Halaçlar; Paul Rummy; Jia Liu; Adrian P Hunt; Truong Van Do; Nguyen Trung Minh; Tao Deng

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2023.107607

Exceptionally well-preserved crocodilian coprolites from the Late Eocene of Northern Vietnam: Ichnology and paleoecological significance

iScience. 2023 Aug 11;26(9):107607. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107607. eCollection 2023 Sep 15.

Authors

Kazım Halaçlar^{1

2}, Paul Rummy^{1

2}, Jia Liu³, Adrian P Hunt⁴, Truong Van Do^{5

6}, Nguyen Trung Minh⁶, Tao Deng^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100044, People's Republic of China.
² College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China.
³ CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla 666303, People's Republic of China.
⁴ Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum, Everett, WA 98204, USA.
⁵ Vietnam National Museum of Nature, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi 113000, Vietnam.
⁶ Graduate Academy of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi 113000, Vietnam.

Abstract

This study examines 55 coprolites from the Na Duong Basin to reconstruct the paleoenvironment. Coproecology sheds light on understanding the complex prey-predator relationships, trophic dynamics, and ecosystem evolution. Through quantitative and multidisciplinary analysis, the putative coprolites were attributed to crocodilian producers, leading to the establishment of a new ichnogenus and species, Crococopros naduongensis igen. et isp. nov., based on distinct characteristics and comparisons. The study provides compelling evidence of an ancient river or lake-like environment dominated by diverse crocodilian fauna, indicating a thriving food chain in the Na Duong Basin. The findings also highlight the remarkable richness of ichnofauna, fauna, flora, and the presence of a favorable climate, confirming the area as a significant fossil Lagerstätte in Southeast Asia. Overall, this study offers a unique snapshot of the past, providing valuable insights into the regional ecosystem and significantly contributing to our understanding of paleoenvironmental conditions and biotic interactions.

Keywords: Biological sciences; Natural sciences; Paleobiology.