Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Emily M. Carlisle, Melina Jobbins, Vanisa Pankhania, John A. Cunningham, Philip C. J. Donoghue
Summary: Experimental research on the decay of organelles in red and green algae suggests that chloroplasts are more resistant to decay than nuclei, while pyrenoids are unlikely to be preserved. This indicates potential differential organelle preservation in seed plants and prompts a reevaluation of the early eukaryotic fossil record.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Laurent Davin, Jose-Miguel Tejero, Tal Simmons, Dana Shaham, Aurelia Borvon, Olivier Tourny, Anne Bridault, Rivka Rabinovich, Marion Sindel, Hamudi Khalaily, Francois Valla
Summary: Archaeologists have discovered seven ancient musical instruments in Eynan-Mallaha, Northern Israel, which are the earliest instruments found in the Levant region. Through various analyses, researchers have determined that these intentionally crafted instruments were capable of producing sounds similar to raptor calls and may have served purposes such as communication, attracting prey, and music-making.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Mary Higby Schweitzer, Wenxia Zheng, Nancy Equall
Summary: This study experimentally investigates the effects of burial/exposure, sediment type, the addition of feather-degrading microbes, and minerals on feather preservation, and compares these effects in different CO2 atmospheres. The results suggest that the elevated CO2 levels in the Mesozoic may have contributed to the preservation of feathers by promoting rapid precipitation of hydroxy- or carbonate hydroxyapatite and stabilizing organic components.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carrie Tyler, Michal Kowalewski
Summary: Despite the focus on molluscs, which have high fossilization potential, the study found that the fossil record is likely to be reliable for relative comparisons of composition and diversity in shallow marine paleocommunities. The differences in community composition between live and dead assemblages were predictable, with an overabundance of more preservable groups. Dead molluscs were found to be a good proxy for all taxa when tracking spatio-temporal patterns and shifts in community structure using various ecological metrics.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Farid Saleh, Orla G. Bath-Enright, Allison C. Daley, Bertrand Lefebvre, Bernard Pittet, Antoine Vite, Xiaoya Ma, M. Gabriela Mangano, Luis A. Buatois, Jonathan B. Antcliffe
Summary: Understanding the functioning of extinct ecosystems is a complex task that involves ecological, evolutionary, and preservational factors. By developing a novel method of data partitioning based on probabilistic modelling for the Walcott Quarry in Canada and the Fezouata Shale in Morocco, researchers were able to reveal differences in soft-tissue preservation mechanisms and ecological selectivity. This study highlights the importance of calibrating exceptional fossil sites to comprehend evolutionary events and the ecological structuring of ancient animal communities during the Cambrian Explosion and Ordovician Radiation.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Geology
Rafal Nawrot, Michaele Berensmeier, Ivo Gallmetzer, Alexandra Haselmair, Adam Tomasovych, Martin Zuschin
Summary: Time averaging of fossil assemblages is crucial for accurate paleoecological and geochronological inferences. In this study, we compared time averaging of major carbonate producers from different phyla and found that despite their skeletal differences, they exhibited similar time averaging. This suggests that taxonomic differences in durability may not significantly affect the temporal resolution of fossil assemblages.
Article
Biology
Shilong Guo, Wang Ma, Yunyu Tang, Liang Chen, Ying Wang, Yingying Cui, Junhui Liang, Longfeng Li, Jialiang Zhuang, Junjie Gu, Mengfei Li, Hui Fang, Xiaodan Lin, Chungkun Shih, Conrad C. Labandeira, Dong Ren
Summary: Currently, research on ancient faunal community networks is mostly based on uniformitarian and functional morphological evidence. This study introduces a new method and software based on taphonomic evidence to study the associational network of lacustrine entombed fauna, or taphocoenosis. The research focuses on the Yanliao Fauna in the Jiulongshan Formation in Inner Mongolia, China, and provides empirically robust and statistically significant evidence for the sedimentary environments, taphonomic conditions, and co-occurrence networks of this assemblage.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Jane C. Reeves, Robert S. Sansom
Summary: Exceptionally preserved fossils of soft-bodied organisms provide unique evidence for evolutionary history, but different approaches often lead to divergent reconstructions of taxa due to the challenges in disentangling ontogeny, taphonomy, and phylogeny. This study employs a multivariate ordination method using morphological character data from modern taxa to analyze morphological variation in fossil specimens. The results show that all three factors play a role in the variation observed in early vertebrates, highlighting the power of multivariate approaches to fossil interpretation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Christopher Cleal, Heather S. Pardoe, Christopher M. Berry, Borja Cascales-Minana, Basil A. S. Davis, Jose B. Diez, Mariana Filipova-Marinova, Thomas Giesecke, Jason Hilton, Dimiter Ivanov, Evelyn Kustatscher, Suzanne A. G. Leroy, Jennifer C. McElwain, Stanislav Oplustil, Mihai Emilian Popa, Leyla J. Seyfullah, Ellen Stolle, Barry A. Thomas, Dieter Uhl
Summary: Palaeobotany and palynology are key sources for studying vegetation diversity dynamics over geological time, but factors other than vegetation diversity can affect plant fossil diversity. Local-scale vegetation diversity is challenging to determine from the fossil record, while landscape-scale and regional-scale vegetation diversities are more reliably determined usually at the family level.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Karma Nanglu, Thomas M. Cullen
Summary: Quantitative studies of fossil data have played a critical role in major macroevolutionary and macro-ecological discoveries, but issues such as bias, preservation, sampling, and taxonomy can affect the interpretative resolution and obscure biological signals. This study provides two case studies that illustrate the impact of biases on ecological reconstructions and analysis, and proposes recommendations for future paleoecological and macroecological studies.
EARTH-SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Manuel Ruben, Jens Hefter, Florence Schubotz, Walter Geibert, Martin Butzin, Torben Gentz, Hendrik Grotheer, Matthias Forwick, Witold Szczucinski, Gesine Mollenhauer
Summary: Despite being considered as having limited bioavailability, ancient rock-derived organic matter in Arctic fjord sediments is consumed by micro-organisms, potentially leading to greenhouse gas emissions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Valentin de Mazancourt, Torsten Wappler, Sonja Wedmann
Summary: A new species of extinct freshwater shrimp has been discovered in the Eocene deposit. This rare find includes several specimens, one of which has remarkably preserved soft tissues and other internal parts. By examining the characteristics of the shrimp, researchers can gain insights into its morphology and its role in the ancient ecosystem. Another specimen shows slightly different morphology and may belong to a different species.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Manuel Ruben, Jens Hefter, Florence Schubotz, Walter Geibert, Martin Butzin, Torben Gentz, Hendrik Grotheer, Matthias Forwick, Witold Szczucinski, Gesine Mollenhauer
Summary: Traditionally, rock-derived or petrogenic organic carbon has been considered non-bioavailable and not actively involved in the carbon cycle. However, recent studies suggest that this carbon may not be as inert as previously thought, especially in fjord systems with high influxes of petrogenic organic carbon, which could contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. The extent to which microorganisms utilize this organic carbon is not well understood, but it plays a significant role in the global carbon cycling. Radiocarbon analysis of intact polar lipid-fatty acids in marine sediments from Hornsund Fjord, Svalbard, revealed that bacterial communities in the area utilize 5 +/- 2% to 55 +/- 6% (average of 25 +/- 16%) of petrogenic organic carbon for biosynthesis after sediment redeposition. This suggests that the lack of recently synthesized organic carbon from primary production forces microorganisms to rely on petrogenic organic carbon as an alternative energy source, highlighting its importance in carbon cycling.
Article
Geology
Layla El Hajj, Francois Baudin, Raymond Geze, Lionel Cavin, Jean Dejax, Geraldine Garcia, David J. Horne, Sibelle Maksoud, Olga Otero, Dany Azar
Summary: The recent discovery of unusual Lower Cretaceous continental deposits in Lebanon has provided insights into the well-preserved fossil assemblages and the depositional environment of freshwater lakes near volcanic edifices. The fossil assemblages show taxonomic and taphonomic differences between sampling sites, suggesting local variations in environmental conditions during deposition.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dana E. Korneisel, Sterling J. Nesbitt, Sarah Werning, Shuhai Xiao
Summary: After evaluating claims of blood cell preservation in the bones of the therizinosauroid theropod Beipiaosaurus inexpectus, researchers found that the red spheres, once thought to be fossilized blood cells, were actually filled with a mix of clay minerals and carbonaceous compounds. They conclude that these red structures are more likely diagenetic structures replicated by the clay minerals present throughout the vascular canals.
Review
Evolutionary Biology
Evan T. Saitta, Maximilian T. Stockdale, Nicholas R. Longrich, Vincent Bonhomme, Michael J. Benton, Innes C. Cuthill, Peter J. Makovicky
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2020)
Article
Geology
Morten Lunde Nielsen, Mirinae Lee, Hong Chin Ng, Jeremy C. Rushton, Katharine R. Hendry, Ji-Hoon Kihm, Arne T. Nielsen, Tae-Yoon S. Park, Jakob Vinther, Philip R. Wilby
Summary: The correct interpretation of soft-bodied fossils relies on a thorough understanding of their taphonomy. This study investigates the mineral replacements in panarthropod fossils from the Sirius Passet Lagerstatte and reveals the potential impacts of deeper burial and metamorphism on fossil preservation. The study provides critical context for interpreting the Sirius Passet biota and identifies late-stage overprints in other biotas.
Article
Biology
Giacinto De Vivo, Stephan Lautenschlager, Jakob Vinther
Summary: Radiodonts evolved into the largest nektonic predators during the Cambrian period, with different species having adaptations for feeding on prey of various sizes. The limited dexterity and inefficient feeding methods may have contributed to their eventual replacement by other marine predators.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Angel Mojarro, Xingqian Cui, Xiaowen Zhang, Adam B. Jost, Kristin D. Bergmann, Jakob Vinther, Roger E. Summons
Summary: Preservation of soft tissues within carbonate concretions is determined by a competition between microbially induced authigenic precipitation and decay, with factors such as organic matter input, rate of decay, carbonate saturation, porewater velocity, and rate of authigenic precipitation playing key roles.
Article
Paleontology
Yang Zhao, Jakob Vinther, Yu-Jing Li, Fan Wei, Xian-Guang Hou, Pei-Yun Cong
Summary: Many Ediacaran macrofossils are made up of unique pneus, forming various body shapes through modular growth regimes. The mackenziid organism, Mackenzia costalis, is a poorly understood soft-bodied species from the middle Cambrian, potentially linked to Ediacaran macrobiota. A new mackenziid species, Paramackenzia canalifera, from the early Cambrian revealed similar tubular modules to Ediacaran species, with a pore-canal system resembling that of sponges and archaeocyathids. The mackenziids are likely a blastic or diploblastic grade of stem eumetazoans, sharing similarities with other modular Ediacaran macro-organisms.
PAPERS IN PALAEONTOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jakob Vinther
Summary: The article discusses the composition and evolution of arthropod brains, and highlights the significance of new Burgess Shale fossils in solving the mystery.
Correction
Biology
Arindam Roy, Michael Pittman, Thomas G. Kaye, Evan T. Saitta, Xing Xu
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jin Guo, Luke A. Parry, Jakob Vinther, Gregory D. Edgecombe, Fan Wei, Jun Zhao, Yang Zhao, Olivier Bethoux, Xiangtong Lei, Ailin Chen, Xianguang Hou, Taimin Chen, Peiyun Cong
Summary: Lophotrochozoa is the largest group among extant animals, radiating rapidly during the Cambrian explosion. The early evolution and phylogenetic relationships of this group have been uncertain, mainly due to the limited knowledge from isolated skeletal microfossils. However, the discovery of articulated fossils, such as the camenellan Wufengella, has provided new insights into the morphology and soft tissues of these early lophotrochozoans, confirming their position in the lophophorate phylogeny and revealing evidence of a metameric body plan similar to annelids.
Article
Biology
Guangxu Zhang, Luke A. Parry, Jakob Vinther, Xiaoya Ma
Summary: The discovery of soft tissues from the Cambrian fossil Gangtoucunia aspera confirms its resemblance to cnidarian polyps, supporting the interpretation of early tubular taxa as cnidarians.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Grygoriy Zolotarov, Bastian Fromm, Ivano Legnini, Salah Ayoub, Gianluca Polese, Valeria Maselli, Peter J. Chabot, Jakob Vinther, Ruth Styfhals, Eve Seuntjens, Anna Di Cosmo, Kevin J. Peterson, Nikolaus Rajewsky
Summary: Research suggests that RNA regulation, particularly the expansion of the miRNA gene repertoire, plays a crucial role in the cognitive success and evolution of complex animal brains, specifically in cephalopods and vertebrates.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Arindam Roy, Michael Pittman, Thomas G. Kaye, Evan T. Saitta
Summary: Melanin pigments play a central role in the colors and patterns of modern vertebrate integuments, providing insights into ecological and behavioral strategies. Recent research has shown that melanin can be used to predict color in well-preserved fossil feathers of dinosaurs and birds. However, more studies are needed to understand the stability of melanin and its chemical changes during diagenesis, and how they impact paleocolor reconstruction.
Article
Paleontology
Harry O. Berks, Morten Lunde Nielsen, Joseph Flannery-Sutherland, Arne Thorshoj Nielsen, Tae-Yoon S. Park, Jakob Vinther
Summary: This article describes a new non-trilobite arthropod with unique morphological features, providing important insights into the origin and evolution of arthropods.
PAPERS IN PALAEONTOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Paleontology
Yang Zhao, Luke A. Parry, Jakob Vinther, Frances S. Dunn, Yu-Jing Li, Fan Wei, Xian-Guang Hou, Pei-Yun Cong
Summary: This study redescribes Conicula striata from the Chengjiang biota in south China, showing that it possessed characteristics of both anthozoans and medusozoan polyps. It is classified as a stem-group medusozoan, suggesting that the diversity of medusozoans derived from an ancestor resembling anemones.
Article
Paleontology
Christian B. Skovsted, Uwe Balthasar, Jakob Vinther, Erik A. Sperling
Summary: The paper describes a diverse small shelly fossil (SSF) fauna from the early Cambrian Mural Formation in Alberta and British Columbia, Canada, expanding the recorded SSF diversity in western Laurentia. The fauna includes various taxa such as brachiopods, bradoriids, chancelloriids, and hyoliths, with new taxa identified as well. The study suggests the low faunal diversity in western Laurentia may be due to poor sampling of suitable archaeocyathan reef environments, and highlights the potential biostratigraphical significance of certain taxa like the tommotiid Canadiella filigrana.
PAPERS IN PALAEONTOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gerald Mayr, Thomas G. Kaye, Michael Pittman, Evan T. Saitta, Christian Pott
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)