Re: dino doo

[NEIL CLARK <NCLARK@museum.gla.ac.uk>]

I have been studying coprolites of fish for a while now.  In fact my 
first publication was on a faecal blob!  As you are all probably 
aware, the same animal can produce dung of different consistency 
depending on how it feels or what it had for its last meal.  Those of 
you who alternate between curries and non-spicey food will know this 
as will those who suffer from tummy-bugs and occasional constipation. 
 It is therefore important to remember these things when looking at 
the fossil record of such remains.  The harder it is the less prone 
to damage when dropped.  The same goes for compact and light.  Soft 
or more liquid faecal material will tend to splat.  The eggs on the 
other hand (so to speak :)) will tend to be of relatively consistent 
solidity and rigidity and the dinosaur will presumably take more care 
in dropping them.

Neil

Neil Clark
Curator of Palaeontology
Hunterian Museum
University of Glasgow
email: NCLARK@museum.gla.ac.uk

Mountains are found in erogenous zones.
(Geological Howlers - ed. WDI Rolfe)