Remains Of Invertebrates Research Articles

The Diet of Metriorhynchus (Thalattosuchia, Metriorhynchidae): Additional Discoveries and Paleoecological Implications

A new metriorhynchid specimen with stomach contents is described here. Assigned to Metriorhynchus cf. superciliosus., this specimen has a clear longirostrine form as indicated by its gracile and elongated mandibular rami. This is the second example of gastric contents described for Metriorhynchidae. This specimen’s preservation allows the identification of the gill apparatus remains of Leedsichthys, the giant suspension-feeding osteichthyan from the Jurassic, including its gill rakers. The gastric contents also contain remains of invertebrates. This specimen indicates that Leedsichthys was not the direct prey of these crocodiles but more that its body was scavenged by them. Longirostrine metriorhynchids were piscivorous but also opportunistic and may have had more of a scavenging component in their lifestyle than previously understood, as all discovered fossils point in this direction.

Morphology and biology of Homoplectra gracilis Nozaki, 2019 in a headwater stream in Yata Hills, Japan

Homoplectra Ross, 1938 (Hydropsychidae) comprises 24 species. Knowledge of the immature stages of species in this genus is quite poor. This study aimed to describe for the first time morphology of Homoplectra gracilis Nozaki, 2019 larvae, found in small headwater streams flowing throughout ‘Satoyama’, a unique and important ecosystem in Japan, and clarify its biology. Morphological observations showed that the larva of this species is unique among known Japanese species in having a small median triangular process on the anterior margin of the head. Final instar larvae were found throughout the year, whereas the second instar larvae were observed during July and November. The species retreated using various kinds of substrates; on/between leaves, plants roots, and under stones. Analysis of digestive tracts showed predominantly detritus in their diet along with remains of invertebrates. The larvae appeared to withstand drought which occur in the streams.

ИХНОФОССИЛИИ И ПАЛЕОПОЧВЫ ПАЛЕОЦЕНА РАЗРЕЗОВ «ПРИВОЛЬСК» И «ШИХАНЫ» САРАТОВСКОГО ПОВОЛЖЬЯ

The article discusses the results of preliminary studies of the Paleocene sections “Privolsk” and “Shikhany” from the Saratov Volga region. A complete description of the geological structure of the sections is given for the first time. Ichnoassemblages, ichnofacies and paleosols are identified. There is an alternation of sands and sandstones of glauconite-quartz, and quartz of various degrees of density (up to quartzite), mainly light dirty gray, micaceous, fine-grained, sometimes obliquely layered. Some of the layers are strongly bioturbated, others are less bioturbated, occasionally there are thin (up to 1 cm) extended interlayers of clays in the studied sections. Fragments of the wood trunks in a sandstone crust, sometimes with elements of the root system, as well as leaf imprints and plant debris, frequent remains of invertebrates are found in many layers. There are at least one well-defined paleosol profile and several undeveloped FPS profiles (fossil paleosols). In total, there are 12 layers or beds from 1 to 5 m each in the summary section, with a total thickness of 25-28.5 m. The entire section is permeated with a variety of ichnofossils that stand out on the weathered surface. According to their morphology, the ichnofossils are divided into several groups that characterize the certain ichnofacies and reflect specific sedimentation environments

A New Glance at Old Samples: Remains of Freshwater Invertebrates Associated with Mummified Carcasses of Large Quaternary Mammals

Carcasses of mammals with well-preserved soft tissues from the permafrost of Siberia and northern North America are among the most important sources of our knowledge on Quaternary environments. However, the potential of this information source is far from being exhausted. The objective of this study is to reveal and describe the remains of freshwater invertebrates in the hair and gut contents of large Pleistocene mammals stored for a long time in museum collections. We have studied the gut contents of two mammoths, as well as the hair of two other mammoths, one woolly rhinoceros, four bison, and two horses. Remains of invertebrates were found in the gut contents of both mammoths, as well as in the hair of two mammoths and the woolly rhinoceros, while no remains were detected in the bison and horse hair. Among the remains of microscopic invertebrates, the most common are branchiopod crustaceans, namely the ephippia of Daphnia sp., Simocephalus sp., the head shields and valves of Chydoridae (Cladocera), and the mandibles of tadpole shrimps (Notostraca). Based on our current level of knowledge, we are able to identify only a limited number of Pleistocene branchiopods. Studies on Recent taxa with the aim to develop identification keys to the aforementioned groups are needed, as they could significantly expand the potential of palaeoecological analysis.

Late Pleistocene-Holocene fossils from Mirim Lake, Southern Brazil, and their paleoenvironmental significance: I - Vertebrates

Mirim Lake is located in the southern Brazilian/northeastern Urugayan coastal plain. Fossils of mollusks have been discovered on its shores since the XIX century, and in recent years, several new remains of invertebrates and vertebrates have been found in the Brazilian area of the lake that provide insights on the geological evolution and environmental changes that affected this lake during the late Quaternary. In this first of two papers describing these new findings we focus on vertebrates, consisting of aquatic and terrestrial taxa. The former include the first associated fossil remains of one adult and one juvenile balaenid whale known in Brazil, probably a female and calf of the southern right whale (baleia-franca) Eubalaena australis, besides bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) also recorded for the first time in southern Brazil, rays (Dasyatidae and Myliobatidae) and teleost fishes. The fossils of terrestrial vertebrates include several extinct mammals, found on the margins and retrieved from the lake bottom by fishermen at depths of up to 4 m. One molar tooth of Toxodon discovered in situ in one irrigation channel yielded an electron spin resonance (ESR) age of 68 ± 13 ka, in agreement with an age of 32.8 ± 5.1 ka obtained in quartz grains extracted from a caliche nodule collected above that fossil and dated by optically-stimulated luminescence (OSL). Other quartz grains in the same nodule that yielded ages of 16.9 ± 2.5 ka indicate partial dissolution of the caliche by increased rainfall at the beginning of the last glacial-interglacial transition (Termination I) . The lake was invaded by marine waters and organisms during the Holocene sea-level highstand of +3 m around 5–6 ka b2k through paleo-connections with the Atlantic Ocean, becoming a paleo-lagoon. At that time coastal waters were warmer than today, as indicated by the presence of the tropical shark C. leucas. The ESR and OSL ages indicate chronocorrelation with the Pleistocene fossil-bearing Santa Vitória Formation that outcrops to the east. The fossil and sedimentary records indicate that the geological evolution and environmental conditions of the lake were controlled by climate and sea-level oscillations related to glacial-interglacial cycles.

Paleontological discoveries in the Chorrillo Formation (upper Campanian-lower Maastrichtian, Upper Cretaceous), Santa Cruz Province, Patagonia, Argentina

The first fossil remains of vertebrates, invertebrates, plants and palynomorphs of the Chorrillo Formation (Austral Basin), about 30km to the SW of the town of El Calafate (Province of Santa Cruz), are described. Fossils include the elasmarian (basal Iguanodontia) Isasicursor santacrucensis gen. et sp. nov., the large titanosaur Nullotitan glaciaris gen. et sp. nov., both large and small Megaraptoridae indet., and fragments of sauropod and theropod eggshells. The list of vertebrates is also composed by the Neognathae Kookne yeutensis gen. et sp. nov., two isolated caudal vertebrae of Mammalia indet., and isolated teeth of a large mosasaur. Remains of fishes, anurans, turtles, and snakes are represented by fragmentary material of low taxonomical value, with the exception of remains belonging to Calyptocephalellidae. On the other hand, a remarkable diversity of terrestrial and freshwater gastropods has been documented, as well as fossil woods and palinological assemblages. The Chorrillo Formation continues south, in the Las Chinas River valley, southern Chile, where it is called Dorotea Formation. Both units share in their lower two thirds abundant materials of titanosaurs, whose remains cease to appear in the upper third, registering only elasmarians (Chorrillo Formation) and hadrosaurs (Dorotea Formation). Above both units there are levels with remains of invertebrates and marine reptiles. It is striking that the dinosaurs of the lower two thirds of the Chorrillo and Dorotea formations are represented by large basal titanosaurs and Megaraptoridae coelurosaurs, being the Saltasaurinae and Aeolosaurinae sauropods and Abelisauridae theropods totally absent. In contrast, these taxa are dominant components in sedimentary units of central and northern Patagonia (e.g., Allen, Los Alamitos, La Colonia formations). Such differences could reflect, in part, a greater antiquity (i.e., late Campanian-early Maastrichtian) for the Chorrillo fossils, or, more probably, different environmental conditions. Thus, knowledge of the biota of the southern tip of Patagonia is expanded, particularly those temporarily close to the K-Pg boundary.

Diet of Baillon's CrakesZapornia pusilla: Assessing Differences in Prey Availability and Consumption during the Breeding Season in the Senegal River Delta, West Africa

The Baillon's Crake Zapornia (Porzana) pusilla is considered as one of the least known Rallidae species of the Palaearctic. Very little information exists about its ecological requirements and knowledge on diet refers to very few observations. Based on the analysis of faecal samples (N = 59) from two study sites in Djoudj National Park (NW Senegal), we describe the major diet components and examine how seasonal and environmental factors influence its dietary composition. All faeces contained remains of invertebrates. Coleopterans were the most frequent prey items with an occurrence in 95% of the samples. Other important food items were: Odonata (82%), Aranaea (78%), Nematocera (59%), and Brachycera (44%). Remains of gecko skin were the only evidence for vertebrate prey. 75% of the faeces contained plant matter, especially seeds of Eleocharis mutata which constituted in some individuals > 90% of the sample content. Generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to assess whether occurrence of prey items was an effect of selection or environmental variation, considering both consumed items as well as prey availability. Sweep netting was used to provide an estimate of relative abundance of potential invertebrate prey.Despite pronounced seasonal changes in temperature and humidity, models revealed a lower influence of meteorological variables on prey composition and availabilty. Rather we found water level, date and site having the highest impact in the models. In contrast to decreasing diversity of available food items in the course of the season, diversity in the faeces remained constant indicating Baillon's Crakes prey less selectively when resources diminish. Furthermore, diversity of Baillon's Crakes' diet was lower at higher water levels, suggesting stronger selectivity when prey abundances are high as implied by positive relationships of several invertebrate groups with water level. Despite the rapidly declining water levels and decreasing abundances of e.g. Nematocera, Odonata and Mollusca in the course of the season, we found no clear shift from aquatic to a more terrestrial dominated composition of taxa in the birds' diet. This might be due to the selection of profitable prey such as araneans or molluscs but could also be explained by better accessibility due to physical changes in the habitats e.g in the case of consumed Odonata and Saltatoria. High disintegration of invertebrates in the faeces rendered quantification of prey items impossible. Biomass estimates could support the assessment of specialization of the Baillon's Crakes as well as the detection of seasonal succession of the wetlands' biotic communities.

Taxon-specific δ13C analysis of chitinous invertebrate remains in sediments from Strandsjön, Sweden

Taxon-specific stable carbon isotope (δ13C) analysis of chitinous remains of invertebrates can provide valuable information about the carbon sources used by invertebrates living in specific habitats of lake ecosystems (for example, sediments, water column, or aquatic vegetation). This is complementary to δ13C of sedimentary organic matter (SOM), which provides an integrated signal of organic matter produced in a lake and its catchment, and of diagenetic processes within sediments. In a sediment record from Strandsjon (Sweden) covering the past circa 140 years, we analyzed SOM geochemistry (δ13C, C:Natomic, organic carbon content) and δ13C of chitinous invertebrate remains in order to examine whether taxon-specific δ13C records could be developed for different invertebrate groups and whether these analyses provide insights into past changes of organic carbon sources for lacustrine invertebrates available in benthic and planktonic compartments of the lake. Invertebrate taxa included benthic chironomids (Chironomus, Chironomini excluding Chironomus, Tanytarsini, and Tanypodinae), filter-feeders on suspended particulate organic matter (Daphnia, Plumatella and Cristatella mucedo), and Rhabdocoela. δ13C of chironomid remains indicated periodic availability of 13C-depleted carbon sources in the benthic environment of the lake as δ13C values of the different chironomid taxa fluctuated simultaneously between −34.7 and −30.5 ‰ (VPDB). Daphnia and Bryozoa showed parallel changes in their δ13C values which did not coincide with variations in δ13C of chironomids, though, and a 2–3 ‰ decrease since circa AD 1960. The decrease in δ13C of Daphnia and Bryozoa could indicate a decrease in phytoplankton δ13C as a result of lower lake productivity, which is in accordance with historical information about the lake that suggests a shift to less eutrophic conditions after AD 1960. In contrast, Rhabdocoela cocoons were characterized by relatively high δ13C values (−30.4 to −28.2 ‰) that did not show a strong temporal trend, which could be related to the predatory feeding mode and wide prey spectrum of this organism group. The taxon-specific δ13C analyses of invertebrate remains indicated that different carbon sources were available for the benthic chironomid larvae than for the filter-feeding Daphnia and bryozoans. Our results therefore demonstrate that taxon-specific analysis of δ13C of organic invertebrate remains can provide complementary information to measurements on bulk SOM and that δ13C of invertebrate remains may allow the reconstruction of past changes in carbon sources and their δ13C in different habitats of lake ecosystems.

Stable carbon isotopes of invertebrate remains: do they reveal past methane release from lakes?

Lakes are a source of methane, an important greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. In order to understand increasing methane emissions in the present, it is important to study the variations of methane release during past periods of climate change. However, records of methane release from lakes over time scales longer than a few years are extremely rare. In this thesis a method is explored to reconstruct past methane availability in lakes based on the stable carbon isotope composition (delta 13C) of aquatic invertebrate remains. Methane-derived 13C-depleted carbon can be an alternative carbon source to plant-derived material for invertebrates in the sediment and water column of lakes, that can lead to markedly depleted delta 13C values in invertebrate tissues. Using culturing experiments, it was demonstrated that methane-derived carbon is incorporated into chironomid head capsules. Also, it was shown that chemical pre-treatments that are commonly used for sediment processing do not have a noticeable effect on delta 13C values of chironomid remains and that a minimum of 20 microgram chitinous material is required for reproducible delta 13C measurements. In study lakes in Sweden and Siberia, delta 13C values of chitinous remains of several invertebrate taxa in surface sediments were negatively correlated with diffusive methane fluxes. Strong and significant correlations are observed between diffusive methane fluxes and delta 13C of Chironomini and Daphnia remains. Similar correlations were also observed within two Swedish lakes, in which surface sediment cores were obtained along depth transects. Delta 13C values of Chironomini and Daphnia were lower in sections of the lake basin in which the sediments had higher methane release rates. This suggests that delta 13C in remains of several invertebrates, especially Chironomini and Daphnia can be indicative of methane availability in lakes. In contrast, Orthocladiinae and Ephemeroptera, always had relatively high delta 13C values, indicating a plant-derived carbon source. In a sediment record from a Siberian thermokarst lake, delta 13C values of the remains of Chironomini and Daphnia showed relatively large negative delta 13C shifts in warm periods (AD 850-1150 and since AD 1970) compared with delta 13C values of Orthocladiinae remains and bulk sediment. Based on the observed correlations between methane fluxes and delta 13C values of Chironomini and Daphnia in surface sediment samples, this suggests that more methane-derived carbon was available in warm periods compared with colder periods. The research in this thesis demonstrates the potential to use taxon-specific stable carbon isotopes analysis of invertebrate remains for qualitative reconstructions of methane availability in lakes. This new method can lead to a better understanding of lake methane emissions in relation to climate change

Chapter 11: Analysis and Interpretation of Invertebrate Remains

Invertebrate remains recovered during excavations on the Sepik coast of Papua New Guinea in 1996 were analyzed. The main excavations took place in the Aitape hills, ∼2 km inland from the current coastline, and on Tumleo Island, ∼3 km off the coast. Remains of 72 mollusk, one arthropod, and two echinoderm species were identified. Forty-six of these are marine, 19 are from freshwater or brackish water and mangrove habitats, and 11 are terrestrial. A complete list and figures of most species are given. Analysis of the recovered remains suggests that in the Aitape hills, mollusk species gathered in freshwater and brackish water habitats were exploited extensively, while marine species played an insignificant role as a food source. Conversely, on Tumleo Island, most freshwater species found on the mainland are absent. Only a limited number of species inhabiting the interface of salt water and freshwater, such as mangrove swamps and estuaries, are present in considerable quantities. In addition, marine species were likely to have played a larger role as a food resource. Artifacts made from invertebrate remains are described and pictured.

First evidence of scavenging behaviour in the herbivorous lizard Uromastyx aegyptia microlepis

In this study, we provide the first evidence of scavenging behaviour in the spiny-tailed agamid lizard ( Uromastyx aegyptia microlepis), a species which heretofore has been considered a strict desert herbivore. We examined 294 faecal samples collected in the desert of Qatar and found that 84% of the faeces ( n = 247) contained exclusively plant material. Grains of barley ( Hordeum vulgare) were present, suggesting that Uromastyx can benefit from the food provided to livestock when wild plants are scarce. We also found remains of invertebrates, vertebrates and stones in the lizard faeces. The type of vertebrate remains found suggests scavenging behaviour and some flexibility in feeding behaviour where food resources are scarce. Overgrazing by camels and goats in the area may affect food availability for Uromastyx populations, suggesting the need for conservation measurements in the Qatar desert.

Non-invasive method to examine the diet of the spiny-tailed lizard,Uromastyx aegyptia microlepis, in Qatar

AbstractIn this pilot study, we show that a non-invasive technique, fecal analysis, can be used to positively identify diet contents in the spiny-tailed agamid lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia microlepis) in the wild. We examined U. a. microlepis fecal samples collected in the Kharrara region of Qatar and identified over 25 species of desert plants. In addition to the native flora, grains of barley (Hordeum vulgare) were identified in the samples suggesting that Uromastyx can benefit from livestock feed. We also found the remains of invertebrates, vertebrates and stones. The types of vertebrate remains found suggest scavenging behavior; the first evidence of scavenging for this species which has, to date, been considered a strict herbivore. Other studies on Uromastyx have pumped the stomach or killed the animal to retrieve dietary samples. We show that fecal analysis is a suitable technique for dietary examination in herbivorous lizards and, as it is non-invasive, complies easily with institutional review board...

Variation of Insect Assemblages in Fox and Marten Faeces Collected in Southern Poland

Remains of invertebrates, especially insects, are frequently found in carnivores' faeces. Invertebrates are generally restricted to a given area and many factors such as landuse pattern, vegetation structure or even moisture can separate different groups; thus, invertebrates can be used as bioindicators. Forty-five samples of marten and fox scats were analysed for the presence of insect species. Thirty insect species — which were expected to be found — were identified. Canonical correspondence analysis indicated that the factor ‘species’ (i.e., marten and fox) was the main factor determining invertebrate species variation. Redundancy analysis allowed us to identify invertebrate ecological groups associated with these two carnivores. Martens prefer nest-building insects as a supplementary source of food and mainly forage in meadows, whereas foxes foraged in forest with high volumes of insects as well as necrophages. Martens preferred smaller, while foxes preferred lager insects. We conclude that insects fo...

DIRECT EVIDENCE OF THE ROSTRAL ANATOMY OF THE AÏSTOPOD PHLEGETHONTIA, WITH A NEW CRANIAL RECONSTRUCTION

In a series of recent papers, colleagues and I (Milner, 1994; Carroll, 1998; Anderson, 2002, 2003a, 2003b; Anderson et al., 2003) have revised Aistopoda, a collection of elongate, limbless tetrapods from the Paleozoic of Euramerica. Aistopods are part of a larger, monophyletic assemblage of tetrapods known as lepospondyls, which are proving to be critical to understanding the early evolution of amniotes and are possibly related to the origins of some, or all, modern amphibians (Carroll, 1995, 2000a, 2000b; Laurin and Reisz, 1997, 1999; Laurin, 1998; Anderson, 2001; Ruta et al., 2003; Vallin and Laurin, 2004). Sound phylogenetic analysis depends upon careful descriptive anatomy, but when working with fossils one also has to contend with variation in the quality of preservation. Thus, in my revision of the genus Phlegethontia Cope, 1871 in these pages (Anderson, 2002) I was forced to extrapolate the shape of the nasal bone based upon the shape of surrounding cranial elements, because no specimen at my disposal permitted direct observation. Subsequent to publication of this revision, I learned of a large collection of Mazon Creek nodules from Pit 11 in the invertebrate paleontology collection at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. Pit 11 preserves specimens from both the mostly marine Essex and more terrestrial Braidwood faunas (Baird et al., 1985). Many of the nodules in this collection are unopened, and most that are opened and fossiliferous contain remains of invertebrates or plant material. A few, however, contain vertebrate remains, including a recently described enigmatic temnospondyl (Godfrey, 2003). One of the nodules contained the skull and anterior postcranial skeleton of a phlegethontiid aistopod which, upon inspection, preserves the entire rostrum, including the rarely complete nasal bone. This note documents for the first time the …

Remains of fly puparia as indicators of Neolithic cattle farming

Remains of invertebrates were examined from four Final Neolithic settlements of the northern Federsee region in Upper Swabia. High concentrations of fly puparia (Diptera, Sepsidae, Sphaeroceridae, Muscidae) indicate cattle husbandry within the settlements.

Archaeological Implications of Plant and Invertebrate Remains from Fills of a Massive Post-Medieval Cut at Low Fisher Gate, Doncaster, U.K.

Plant and invertebrate remains from a series of fills of an enigmatic early post-medieval cut feature at a site in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, were studied as part of a site-wide investigation. Some rich and diverse assemblages were recovered whose interpretation was not simple. It is argued that the material represents infill of a feature deliberately dug for water management, probably originally used as a pond for livestock, but latterly also for the dumping of a variety of materials during its life.

Archaeological Implications of Plant and Invertebrate Remains from Fills of a Massive Post-Medieval Cut at Low Fisher Gate, Doncaster, U.K.

Plant and invertebrate remains from a series of fills of an enigmatic early post-medieval cut feature at a site in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, were studied as part of a site-wide investigation. Some rich and diverse assemblages were recovered whose interpretation was not simple. It is argued that the material represents infill of a feature deliberately dug for water management, probably originally used as a pond for livestock, but latterly also for the dumping of a variety of materials during its life.

Using aquatic invertebrates to delineate seasonal and temporary wetlands in the prairie pothole region of North America

Tillage can destroy or greatly disturb indicators of hydric soils and hydrophytic vegetation, making delineation of tilled wetlands difficult. The remains of aquatic invertebrates (e.g., shells, drought-resistant eggs, and trichopteran cases) are easily identifiable and persist in wetland substrates even when wetlands are dry. Additionally, these remains are not easily destroyed by mechanical tillage. To test the feasibility of using invertebrate remains to delineate wetlands, we used two methods to identify the wetland edge of ten seasonal and ten temporary wetlands, evenly divided between grassland and cropland landscapes. First, we identified the wetland edge using hydric soil and vegetation indicators along six evenly spaced transects in each wetland (our “standard” delineation). We then identified the wetland edge along the same transects using aquatic invertebrate remains as our indicator. In grassland landscapes, delineations of the wetland edge made using invertebrate remains were consistently at the same location or closer to the wetland center as the standard delineations for both seasonal and temporary wetlands. In cropland landscapes, however, many of our invertebrate delineations of seasonal and temporary wetlands were on the upland side of our standard delineations. We attribute the differences to movement of remains during tillage, increased maximum pool levels in cropland wetlands, and disturbance of hydric soils and plants. We found that the elevations of the wetland edge indicated by invertebrate remains were more consistent within a wetland than elevations determined by standard delineations. Aquatic invertebrate remains can be useful in delineating wetlands when other indicators have been destroyed or severely disturbed by tillage.

Use of macroinvertebrates to identify cultivated wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region

We evaluated the use of macroinvertebrates as a potential tool to identify dry and intensively farmed temporary and seasonal wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region. The techniques we designed and evaluated used the dried remains of invertebrates or their egg banks in soils as indicators of wetlands. For both the dried remains of invertebrates and their egg banks, we weighted each taxon according to its affinity for wetlands or uplands. Our study clearly demonstrated that shells, exoskeletons, head capsules, eggs, and other remains of macroinvertebrates can be used to identify wetlands, even when they are dry, intensively farmed, and difficult to identify as wetlands using standard criteria (i.e., hydrology, hydrophytic vegetation, and hydric soils). Although both dried remains and egg banks identified wetlands, the combination was more useful, especially for identifying drained or filled wetlands. We also evaluated the use of coarse taxonomic groupings to stimulate use of the technique by nonspecialists and obtained satisfactory results in most situ- ations.

Diet of nestling Corn Buntings Miliaria calandra in southern England examined by compositional analysis of faeces

The diet of nestling Corn Buntings Miliaria calandra was assessed by examining 173 faeces collected from 39 broods on the South Downs in West Sussex. All faeces contained the remains of invertebrates and virtually all contained cereal grains. Arachnida (Araneae and Opiliones), Orthoptera, Lepidoptera (larvae), Symphyta (larvae) and Coleoptera (mainly adults) accounted for about 95% of the 720 invertebrates counted. There was no evidence that chick diet changed between 3 and 7 days after hatching. Late broods were fed more Orthoptera than early ones, the relative proportion of other dietary components remaining similar during the nesting season. In wet weather, faeces contained a higher proportion of grain. Even if decreases in chick food invertebrates over the last 25 years did not contribute to the decline of the Corn Bunting, they might hamper population recovery.