The colonial rock-forming microfossils of the Bohemian Upper Proterozoic (Czechoslovakia), “Bohemipora Pragensis’ n.g., n.sp.

Large amounts of well preserved microfossils have been reported from the cherts of the Upper Proterozoic of the Bohemian Massif (Middle Europe). They resemble those described by Cayeux (1894) from the Upper Proterozoic (Brioverian) of Bretagne (France). It is shown, unlike the views of Cayeux and his followers (Deflandre, 1955, and Graindor 1957), that the observed structures did not belong to individuals but to colonies of filamentous prokaryotic organisms, most probably blue-green algae (Cyanophyta). These produced specific crystal-like mineral aggregation round each filament. Scanning microscope examination has revealed that the individual facets of these mineral crystals were perforated by the openings through which the thread-like bodies of these primitive organisms protruded. It is shown that these microorganisms were attached to the cells of other, bigger microorganisms and enveloped them. Some of these substrate organisms might have been eukaryotic algae. The thecae gradually accumulated around the cells of these carrier organisms and after death the colonies disintegrated to constitute the main component of the sediment. The microfossils described are just a major component of a complicated fossil assemblage comprising coccoid and filamentous blue-green algae and bacteria. There are indications that several eukaryotic species might also have been present.The following new taxa are described:Thecophytales, new order,Cayeuxidae (Graindor) family emend.,Bohemipora n. gen.,B. pragensis, n. sp.     

Microfossils from the middle Precambrian McArthur Group,Northern Territory,Australia

Microfossils have been detected in several formations of the McArthur Group (about 1600 m.y. old), in petrological thin sections and in macerations. Some of these occur associated with a lead-zinc ore body; others have been found in well-preserved dolomites and cherts. The variety of microfossils observed is considerable, and their state of preservation is good. Large numbers of singlecelled, colonial and multicellular organisms occur; in the latter, at least one clear case of cell differentiation can be demonstrated. Some of the organisms are morphologically comparable with blue-green algae such as the Chroococaceae, but, unlike the well-known Bitter Springs microflora, the assemblage is notably poor in filamentous algae. The filaments that do occur are not septate, and may represent discarded blue-green algal sheaths. Many of the microorganisms are extremely small in size, and in some cases, colonial structures composed of large numbers of 1 m diameter cells are present, that may represent bacterial remains. Most of the microfossils occur in stromatolitic cherts, but the lead-zinc orebody from which some were obtained is a fine-grained dolomitic shale.Stratigraphically, this new assemblage occurs in sediments of age intermediate between the well-known Gunflint Chert assemblage and the equally well-known Bitter Springs flora. The level of organization of the microfossils represents a great advance on the of the Gunflint Chert microfossils, in that demonstrably colonial and large multicellular microorganisms occur, as well as cells of a relatively large size. No convincing evidence for the presence of nuclei or nuclear membranes has yet been found in McArthur Group microorganisms, but the large size and organizational complexity of some of the structures suggests that the origin of the eukaryotic cell may occur rather earlier in geologic times than previous indications have suggested.     

高于庄古生物学(英)

距今 14～ 16亿年的华北地区高于庄组黑色层状、结核状和透镜状燧石与叠层石的黑色硅质部分中保存着极丰富的原核和真核生物微化石。宏观藻类在该组的页岩中亦已发现。本组为评估中元古代生命状况、古环境和前显生宙生物地层提供了重要的生物信息。迄今为止在高于庄组地层中已有百余个化石种被人们认识。根据古植物和古环境的特征这些生物种类可分为三个不同的组合 ,即 :1.颤藻和色球藻组合 ,出现在高于庄组一段 ,代表浅水藻席建造者和居住者与一些可能的外来浮游生物的种类 ;2 .念珠藻组合 ,仅发生在该组的二段 ,还含一些底栖藻席建造者或居住者的种类 ;3.第四段的色球藻组合 ,它代表了潮间带至亚潮带的藻席建造者和外来的种类。元古代燧石中的微化石 ,尤其是蓝藻化石 ,尽管在元古代它们就已不断趋向于多样化 ,但由于它们形态上的保守性 ,对环境的指示比对地质时代的指示更有价值。高于庄组微化石的特点和大多数链状念珠藻垂直层理保存的事实表明 :1.高于庄组微化石的个体大小随时间趋向于增大 ;2 .高于庄组的沉积可能是处于一个淡水环境 ,且沉积率可能等于或少于微生物的生长率 ;3.高于庄组织沉积模式可能是从潮间带至亚潮带或深海 ,然后再至潮间带或潮上带 ;4 .当高于庄组沉积时真核生物亦已出现。     

Petsamomyces, a new genus of organic-walled microfossils from the coal-bearing deposits of the Early Proterozoic, Kola Peninsula

A new genus of organic-walled microfossils of supposed fungal origin, Petsamomyces Belova gen. nov., is described from the black shales of the Pechenga complex of the Early Proterozoic (Kola Peninsula). The find testifies to the development of eukaryotic heterotrophic microorganisms as early as 2 Ga ago.     

高于庄古生物学

距今14～16亿年的华北地区高于庄组黑色层状、结核状和透镜状燧石与叠层石的黑色硅质部分中保存着极丰富的原核和真核生物微化石.宏观藻类在该组的页岩中亦已发现.本组为评估中元古代生命状况、古环境和前显生宙生物地层提供了重要的生物信息.迄今为止在高于庄组地层中已有百余个化石种被人们认识.根据古植物和古环境的特征这些生物种类可分为三个不同的组合,即:1.颤藻和色球藻组合,出现在高于庄组一段,代表浅水藻席建造者和居住者与一些可能的外来浮游生物的种类;2.念珠藻组合,仅发生在该组的二段,还含一些底栖藻席建造者或居住者的种类;3.第四段的色球藻组合,它代表了潮间带至亚潮带的藻席建造者和外来的种类.元古代燧石中的微化石,尤其是蓝藻化石,尽管在元古代它们就已不断趋向于多样化,但由于它们形态上的保守性,对环境的指示比对地质时代的指示更有价值.高于庄组微化石的特点和大多数链状念珠藻垂直层理保存的事实表明:1.高于庄组微化石的个体大小随时间趋向于增大;2.高于庄组的沉积可能是处于一个淡水环境,且沉积率可能等于或少于微生物的生长率;3. 高于庄组织沉积模式可能是从潮间带至亚潮带或深海,然后再至潮间带或潮上带;4.当高于庄组沉积时真核生物亦已出现.     

Appearance of Colonies of Prototheca on CHROMagar Candida medium

The microorganisms capable of producing opportunist infections include the yeast-like organisms of the genus Candida, and the unicellular algae of the genus Prototheca, which share common features and can, therefore, lead to confusion. Their colonies are almost identical and they grow in the same culture media used routinely in mycology. CHROMagar Candida is a new chromogenic differential isolation medium that facilitates the presumptive differentiation of some of the most clinically important yeast-like organisms. To our knowledge, the use of CHROMagar Candida with Prototheca spp. has not been reported in the literature. This report describes the growth of 151 strains of Prototheca on CHROMagar Candida compared to the growth of a total of 326 well-characterized yeast organisms of the genera Candida, Cryptococcus, Trichosporon, Geotrichum, and Saccharomyces. It is clinically relevant to note that algae of the genus Prototheca (P. wickerhamii, P. zopfii, and P. stagnora) and of the genus Candida parapsilosis produced similar cream-colored colonies on CHROMagar Candida medium. Based on their growth on CHROMagar, a new species of Candida is described, C. zeylanoides, which has blue-green colonies. The colonies of two species of Trichosporon are also differentiated: the blue-green colonies of T. beigelii and the pink colonies of T. capitatum. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

TEM evidence for eukaryotic diversity in mid-Proterozoic oceans

Biomarker molecular fossils in 2770 Ma shales suggest that the Eucarya diverged from other principal domains early in Earth history. Nonetheless, at present, the oldest fossils that can be assigned to an extant eukaryotic clade are filamentous red algae preserved in ca. 1200 Ma cherts from Arctic Canada. Between these records lies a rich assortment of potentially protistan microfossils. Combined light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy on 1500‐1400 Ma fossils from the Roper Group, Australia, and broadly coeval rocks from China show that these intermediate assemblages do indeed include a moderate diversity of eukaryotic remains. In particular, preserved cell wall ultrastructure, observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), can help to bridge the current stratigraphic gap between the unambiguous eukaryotic morphologies of later Proterozoic assemblages and molecular biomarkers in much older rocks.     

冲绳海槽海底黑烟囱中微生物化石的发现及其意义

采用光学显微镜以及扫描电镜对冲绳海槽海底黑烟囱样品进行研究,发现了大量的微生物化石,它们保留了完好的形态,主要有四种不同类型的丝状体,可能是硫或者铁氧化化能自养细菌和真菌。这些化石微生物的鉴别基于大小、形状、细胞分裂、群落聚集等物理标志。初步研究表明这些微生物不仅依存于海底热液活动,同时在热液成矿过程中起着重要的作用。     

Paleobiological Perspectives on Early Eukaryotic Evolution

Eukaryotic organisms radiated in Proterozoic oceans with oxygenated surface waters, but, commonly, anoxia at depth. Exceptionally preserved fossils of red algae favor crown group emergence more than 1200 million years ago, but older (up to 1600–1800 million years) microfossils could record stem group eukaryotes. Major eukaryotic diversification ∼800 million years ago is documented by the increase in the taxonomic richness of complex, organic-walled microfossils, including simple coenocytic and multicellular forms, as well as widespread tests comparable to those of extant testate amoebae and simple foraminiferans and diverse scales comparable to organic and siliceous scales formed today by protists in several clades. Mid-Neoproterozoic establishment or expansion of eukaryophagy provides a possible mechanism for accelerating eukaryotic diversification long after the origin of the domain. Protists continued to diversify along with animals in the more pervasively oxygenated oceans of the Phanerozoic Eon.Eukaryotic organisms have a long evolutionary history, recorded, in part, by conventional and molecular fossils. For the Phanerozoic Eon (the past 542 million years), eukaryotic evolution is richly documented by the skeletons (and, occasionally, nonskeletal remains) of animals, as well as the leaves, stems, roots, and reproductive organs of land plants. Phylogenetic logic, however, tells us that eukaryotes must have a deeper history, one that began long before the first plant and animal fossils formed. To what extent does the geological record preserve aspects of deep eukaryotic history, and can the chemistry of ancient sedimentary rocks elucidate the environmental conditions under which the eukaryotic cell took shape?     

Grazing on filamentous algae by herbivorous zooplankton

SUMMARY. 1. Feeding experiments were conducted to examine filtering rates and selectivity of a variety of zooplankton taxa (including cladocerans, copepods and a rotifer) for filamentous diatoms, green and blue-green algae.
2. Most herbivores were capable of consuming some filamentous algae at rates similar to or higher than those on unicellular algae. Only feeding of Diaphanosoma brachyurum Liéven and Moina micrura Kurz seemed to be primarily limited by the filamentous morphology.
3. Filtering rates and selectivities of most herbivores were much higher for the diatom Melosira granulata angustissima Müller than for similarly sized blue-green algal filaments, indicating that chemical factors strongly influence consumption of filamentous algae.
4. The toxic blue-green algal filament Anabaena flos-aquae De Brébisson NRC 44–1 had a much strong inhibitory effect on zooplankton feeding than other filaments. The only herbivores that were not inhibited by this strain have been shown to be resistant to blue-green algal toxins, or strongly avoided consuming the blue-green alga. These results indicate that the inhibitory effect of filamentous algae is due more to toxic or noxious chemicals than to the filamentous morphology.
5. Selectivities of zooplankton for filamentous algae were largely independent of herbivore body size. The small-bodied cladoceran Bosmina longirostris Müller had the highest selectivities for filamentous algae.     

Studies OB the Microfossils from the Hebiancun Formation,Hutuo Group,Wutai Mountain Area,North China

Well preserved microfossils were here described from the middle of Hebiancun Formation, Hutuo Group, northern China, estimated to be 2,000 2,400 Ma years old based on the K-Ar and U-Pb isotopic. They were coccoids (Globophycuswenshanensis Xu sp. nov.) and filamentous (Siphonophycus cf. kestron and Siphonophycus sp.) and occur in petrographic thin sections. The coccoids were preserved by permineralization in the chert part of the conical stromatolites (Zhongtiaoshanella) and the filamentous in black chert. The paleoenviromental modal for the setting of the Hebiancun Formation was able to be reconstructed according to the microfossit assemblage and different lithology observed. The formation was divided in ascending orders as follows: The breccia; the thick sandy dolomite; the black chert in which the filamentous microfossils in subparalled colonies were preserved; and the dolomite with conical stromatolites in which the coccoidal microfossils with hyaline and unlamelleted sheath was observed. As mentioned above, it was conjectured that the descent and uplift of the geosynclinal area led to transgression and regression during the Hebiancun time. Compared with the all microfloras in the world known uptodate the characteristics of the microfossils from Hebiancun Formation was similar to that from Transvaal Supergroup, South Africa. Both of them show of the big sizeof the algal bodies inspite of different types. The algae Seemed to have a big cell period during their systematization.     

Investigation on the Procaryotic Microfossils from the Gaoyuzhuang Formation,Jixian, North China

Stromatolitic cherts of the late Precambrian Gaoyuzhuang Formation at the Stratotype section of the “Sinian Suberathem” near Jixian, North China, contain a varied assemblage of well-preserved filamentous and coccoid blue-green algae. This assemblage constitutes perhaps one of the well-preserved, diverse Precambrian microbiota now known. The fossiliferous cherts occur in the lower part of this formation which is about 1500 Ma-old interpolated depending on Pb-Pb ages yielded from the middle part of it and K-Ar ages yielded from the underlying Dahongyu Formation. Fifteen new taxa of microfossils, comprising 6 new genera, are here described from the Gaoyuzhuang stromatolitic cherts. All species of blue-green algae have been recognized in the assemblage and refer to the modern Chroococcaceae, OsciUatoriaceae, Nostocaceae and Rivullariaceae. Most of these fossil algae are comparable in morphological details particularly to living Cyanophyta. It is evident that the cyanophytes had become well-diversified already by the late Precambrian. This evidence indicates that at least the morphological details are similar to those exhibited in living cyanophytes and these blue-green algae have not changed since Gaoyuzhuang time. This apparent evolutionary conservatism is probably attributable to a wide ecological tolerance and flexibility and also reflects its inherent genetic stability. The plant phylogenesis especially of Cyanophyta is discussed in this paper according to microfossil records detected in the thin sections of stromatolitic cherts from the Gaoyuzhuang Formation. Based on morphological characteristics and their generations Rivullariaceae may originate from Oscillatoriaceae. In addition algal biocoenoses in this stromatolitic chert grew in the form of laminar mats in the apparently subtital to intertital environment. The paleoclimate was subtropical or tropical. The following new taxa are here described:Microcystopsis yaoi, Eoaphanothece zhuiana, Oscillatoriopsis acuminata, O. hemisphaerica, O. disciformis, O. glabra, O. tuberculata, Eophormidium liangii, E. capitatum, E. semicirculare, Schizothropsis caudata, Paleoisocystis monosporata, P. disporata, Anabaenidium sophoroides and Paleocalothrix xui.     

Survival of blue-green algae under primitive atmospheric conditions

Conditions on the primordial Earth are reviewed and information on pertinent microfossils and primitive microorganisms presented. A series of simulated pre-Cambrian environments are set up and 8 strains of blue-green algae are tested under 7 different anaerobic, mildly reducing atmospheres. Of 61 cultures tested, 12 showed growth, 32 survived and 17 died. Growth was measured spectrophotometrically. Microscopic examination failed to show any gross morphological changes in the experimental cultures. It is concluded that certain strains of blue-green algae have retained their ability to survive or grow under a primordial atmosphere.This study supported by the Graduate Department of Marine Science, Long Island University. The author wishes to thank Dr George Claus for his kind assistance.     

论山西中元古代晚期汝阳群微体化石组合

我国北方18-19亿年前的串岭沟组中获得的大球形疑源类,迄今,被认为是可信的最古老真核化石记录。自上世纪80年代以来,东秦岭北坡的中元古代晚期汝阳群陆续发现了丰富的球形光面疑源类,具刺疑源类,丝状微体化石和一些有疑问的动物遗迹。很显然,在中元古代晚期真核生物曾有重大辐射。     

Tubular microfossils from the Ediacaran Weng’an Biota (Doushantuo Formation,South China) are not early animals

The early Ediacaran Weng’an Biota (ca. 609 Ma) of the Doushantuo Formation (Guizhou Province, China) encompasses an abundant and exquisitely preserved assemblage of phosphatic microfossils that have provided unique insight into the origin and early evolution of multicellular eukaryotes. However, the affinities of these early organisms are far from certain, including the tubular microfossils Crassitubulus, Quadratitubus, Ramitubulus, and Sinocyclocylcicus. These taxa have been widely accepted as stem-cnidarians or, alternatively, interpreted as filamentous cyanobacteria, or multicellular algae. We use high-resolution X-ray tomographic microscopy to analyse the structure and development of the four taxa. Our data and analysis allow us to conclude that these four taxa were not biomineralized. Crassitubulus, Quadratitubus, and Sinocyclocylcicus, may be grouped on the basis that they exhibit alternating complete and incomplete cross walls, and bipolar growth; which makes them favourably comparable to filamentous cyanobacteria. In contrast, Ramitubulus exhibits only complete cross walls, unipolar growth and dichotomous branching. These features are difficult to reconcile with a cyanobacterial interpretation. They are, instead, more indicative of multicellular algae-like Cambrian Epiphyton. Thus, the Weng’an tubular microfossils constitute a disparate assemblage of cyanobacteria and algae, but none represents early Ediacaran animals.     

Microfossils from oolites and pisolites of the Upper Proterozoic Eleonore Bay Group, Central East Greenland

Silicified oolites and pisolites from Bed 18 of the Upper Proterozoic (about 700-800 Ma) Limestone-Dolomite "Series" of the Eleonore Bay Group, central East Greenland, contain a diverse suite of organically preserved microfossils that is, for the most part. [Of the] assemblages previously described from Proterozoic cherts and shales. Three principal assemblages occur in these rocks: 1) a class bound assemblage found in detrital carbonate grains (now silicified) that served as nuclei for ooid and pisoid growth, as well as in uncoated mud and mat clasts that were carried into the zone of ooid and pisoid deposition; 2) an epilithic and interstitial assemblage consisting of microorganisms that occurred on top of and between grains; and 3) a euendolithic assemblage composed of microbes that actively bored into coated grains. The Upper Proterozoic euendolithic assemblage closely resembles a community of euendolithic cyanobacteria found today in shallow marine ooid sands of the Bahama Banks. Thirteen species are described, of which eight are new, five representing new genera: Eohyella dichotoma n. sp., Eohyella endoatracta n. sp., Eohyella rectoclada n. sp., Thylacocausticus globorum n. gen. and sp., Cunicularius halleri n. gen. and sp., Graviglomus incrustus n. gen. and sp., Perulagranum obovatum n. gen. and sp., and Parenchymodiscus endolithicus n. gen. and sp.     

Paleobiology of distinctive benthic microfossils from the upper Proterozoic Limestone-Dolomite "Series," central East Greenland

Populations of Polybessurus bipartitus Fairchild ex Green et al., a large morphologically distinctive microfossil, occur in silicified carbonates of the Upper Proterozoic (700-800 Ma) Limestone-Dolomite "Series," central East Greenland. Large populations of well-preserved individuals permit reconstruction of P. bipartitus as a coccoidal unicell that "jetted" upward from the sediment by the highly unidirectional secretion of extracellular mucopolysaccharide envelopes. Reproduction by baeocyte formation is inferred on the basis of clustered envelope stalks produced by small cells. Sedimentological evidence indicates that P. bipartitus formed surficial crusts locally within a shallow peritidal carbonate platform. Among living microorganisms a close morphological, reproductive, and behavioral counterpart to Polybessurus is provided by populations of an as yet underscribed cyanobacterium found in coastal Bahamian environments similar to those in which the Proterozoic fossils occur. In general morphology and "jetting" behavior, this population resembles species of the genus Cyanostylon, Geitler (1925), but reproduces via baeocyte formation. Polybessurus is but one of the more than two dozen taxa in the richly fossiliferous biota of the Limestone-Dolomite "Series." This distinctive population, along with co-occurring filamentous cyanobacteria and other microfossils, contributes to an increasingly refined picture of ecological heterogeneity in late Proterozoic oceans.     

Bacterial Paleontological study of Archaean of Karelia

Newly found biomorphic microstructures from the Upper Archaean (Lopian) rocks from Northern Karelia are described. Various microorganisms of a bacterial nature and even cyanobacteria (and possibly eukaryotic forms) are recognized. The importance of electron microscopy, along with traditional methods, for the study of the earliest manifestations of life in the Archaean and Early Proterozoic is emphasized.     

Digging deeper: why we need more Proterozoic algal fossils and how to get them

Known Proterozoic algal fossils raise compelling questions about the origin and diversification of cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae, and their ecological influence in deep time. This Perspectives article describes particular examples of persistent evolutionary and biogeochemical issues whose resolution would be aided by additional algal fossil evidence from Proterozoic deposits, which have been the subjects of recent intensive study. New Proterozoic geosciences literature relevant to the early diversification of algae is surveyed. Previously underappreciated algal traits that might improve taxonomic attributions of fossil remains are highlighted. Processes that phycologists could use to improve detection of algal fossils are recommended. Potential geological sources of new Proterozoic fossils are suggested.     

Bacterial, fungal, and algal microfossils in the Lower Proterozoic Baikal region of Siberia (Udokan and Sayany Mountains)

Microfossils from metamorphized Lower Proterozoic deposits of the Udokan Mountains (Naminga Formation) and Sayany Region (Daldarma Formation) are investigated in preparations and petrographic thin sections. They include leucoxenized and ferruginous threads varying in size (50–500 μm) and thread accumulations, which are compared to cyanobacteria. Mineralized thalli probably belong to algae. Small, rounded forms from carbonaceous beds are treated as iron and chemolithotrophic bacteria of stagnant zones of paleobasins. Round or pear-shaped nontransparent forms with projections or several fused forms are described from preparations and identified as fungal microfossils. Similar forms have been recorded in the Lower Proterozoic of Karelia.