A COMPREHENSIVE MORPHOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION OF VERTEBRATE COPROLITES AND RECENT FECES

We have developed a comprehensive classification of morphotypes of vertebrate coprolites and Recent feces. Morphotype A are elongate cylinders (length > 5 x diameter) with six subcategories (depending on shape of terminations and presence of tapering). For example, A1 are tapered at one end with distinct rounded segments and characterize most Recent and Pleistocene felids as well as fossil and Recent hyenas. Morphotype B are short cylinders (length < 5 x diameter) and include five subcategories. B1 have two rounded ends or one slightly tapered (e.g., most Recent and Pleistocene Rodentia), B2 are strongly tapering from one end to the other (tear drop shape)(e.g., some fish), B3 are inflected, with two rounded ends and a furrow along the length (coffee bean shape)(e.g., Recent African Thrynomyidae and South American Caviomorpha rodents ) and B4, large cylindrical and unsegmented (e.g., many Pleistocene and Recent Proboscidea, Hippopotamidae and Rhinocerotidae). B5 are large, cylindrical and segmented and are those of Pleistocene ground sloths (e.g., Nothrotheriops shastensis and South American forms) and some large Recent artiodactyls (e.g., elk, caribou). Morphotype C are subrounded and encompass 3 subcategories, including C3, which are rounded or segments of cylinders usually concavo-convex, one end possibly being acute and represent Pleistocene (e.g., Oreamnos harringtoni, Ovis canadensis, Euceratherium collinum) and Recent artiodactyls except Bovini. Morphotype D are flattened rounded plates that accumulate in circular piles that include Recent Bovini and Pleistocene Bison. Morphotype E are reniform and include unstriated (E1) and striated (E2) forms, which represent Pleistocene and Recent Equidae, Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) and some Suidae, and Alococoprus, which are striated and represent Permian-Recent reptiles, including crocodylomorphs. Morphotype F are spiral in form and are scroll (F1), amphipolar spiral (F2), heteropolar microspiral (F3), heteropolar macrospiral (F4), spiral and elongate coiled (F5). Morphotype G are elongate and coiled (non-spiral). Morphotypes H and I are thin ovoid and linear, respectively. Morphotype J is a splatter pattern (e.g., many birds, frugivorous bats) and morphotypes K is irregular (e.g., many fishes, some primates, some bovids).