Coelophysis diets

[Guy Leahy <xrciseguy@sbcglobal.net>]

1: Biol Lett. 2006 Dec 22;2(4):611-4.   
Prey choice and cannibalistic behaviour in the
theropod Coelophysis.Nesbitt SJ, Turner AH, Erickson
GM, Norell MA. 
Division of Paleontology, American Museum of Natural
History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York,
NY 10024-5192, USA Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory,
Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964,
USA.

Direct evidence of prey choice in carnivorous
dinosaurs is rare in the fossil record. The most
celebrated example pertains to purported stomach
contents in the carnivorous dinosaur Coelophysis
bauri, which besides revealing prey choice, also
points to cannibalistic behaviour as being commonplace
(Colbert 1989, 1995). Here, we test this hypothesis by
conducting the first comprehensive anatomical and
histological examination of the famed Coelophysis
'cannibals'. The results unequivocally show that the
gut contents derive from early crocodylomorphs rather
than juveniles of Coelophysis. These findings suggest
that this taxon is not cannibalistic and bring into
question the commonality of this behaviour among
non-avian dinosaurs.