Evidence of intestinal parasites of dinosaurs.
Protozoan cysts and helminth eggs preserved in a coprolite from the Early Cretaceous Bernissart Iguanodon shaft in Belgium demonstrate that representatives of 3 phyla parasitized dinosaurs by that period. These fossil parasite stages are described and their possible effect on dinosaurs discussed. These findings represent the earliest fossil records of protozoan and helminth parasites of terrestrial vertebrates.
Poinar
G
G
Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA. poinarg@science.oregonstate.edu
Boucot
A J
AJ
D000818:Animals; D025061:Dinosaurs / Q000469:parasitology*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005580:Fossils; D006374:Helminthiasis, Animal / Q000469:parasitology; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010163:Paleontology; D011529:Protozoan Infections, Animal / Q000469:parasitology