Experimental mineralization of invertebrate eggs and the preservation of Neoproterozoic embryos

Martin, Derek; Briggs, Derek E. G.; Parkes, Ronald John

doi:10.1130/0091-7613(2003)031<0039:emoiea>2.0.co;2

Cited by 40 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…All findings thus suggest that the mechanisms of decay and mineral replacement were likely similar in both this study and the fossil material. Only incipient mineralization was observed in the interior of the eggs, resembling results of similar experiments using eggs of Homarus gammarus (Martin et al, 2003). There are at least two possible explanations for this phenomenon: The newly formed mineral layer may either have acted as a barrier to microbial degradation of the internal cellular material or the dense structure of the yolk slowed or prevented the migration of substances necessary for mineralization.…”

Section: Preservation Of Organic Tissuesupporting

confidence: 60%

“…Mineralization of eggs occurred most commonly as calcium carbonate, or as a mixture of calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate. The only study reporting complete mineralization of the egg surface was performed on H. gammarus, where eggs were decomposed in artificial seawater mixed with sediment over one month under anoxic conditions (Martin et al, 2003). In this experiment, the eggs were encrusted on the outside of the preserved egg envelope with a 50 µm thick layer of mostly amorphous calcium carbonate and mineralized bacteria, with the latter result providing further evidence that bacteria may promote mineralization.…”

Section: Mineralizationmentioning

confidence: 80%

“…Experimental phosphatization of eggs was first reported from the shrimp Palaemon elegans, which was subjected to decay as a complete animal for 20 weeks (Briggs and Kear, 1993a). Later studies, which focused on the eggs, demonstrated that it was possible to maintain the external shape of Homarus gammarus, Limulus polyphemus, and Nephrops norvegicus egg cases for at least a year, including surface mineralization mainly as calcium carbonate or as a combination of calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate (Martin et al, 2003(Martin et al, , 2005. Laboratory decay experiments also achieved the replication of the outer morphology of H. gammarus eggs by coating the eggs with pre-existing clay minerals in the presence of metabolizing bacteria (Martin et al, 2004).…”

Section: Hippler Et Al: Experimental Mineralization Of Crustaceanmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Experimental mineralization of crustacean eggs: new implications for the fossilization of Precambrian–Cambrian embryos

Hippler

Steiner

et al. 2012

Biogeosciences

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Abstract. Phosphatized globular microfossils from the Ediacaran and lower Cambrian of South China represent an impressive record of early animal evolution and development. However, their phylogenetic affinity is strongly debated. Understanding key processes and conditions that cause exceptional egg and embryo preservation and fossilization are crucial for a reliable interpretation of their phylogenetic position. We conducted phosphatization experiments on eggs of the marbled crayfish Procambarus that indicate a close link between early mineralization and rapid anaerobic decay of the endochorional envelope. Our experiments replicated the different preservational stages of degradation observed in the fossil record. Stabilization of the spherical morphology was achieved by pre-heating of the eggs. Complete surface mineralization occurred under reduced conditions within one to two weeks, with fine-grained brushite (CaHPO 4 · 2H 2 O) and calcite. The mechanisms of decay, preservation of surface structures, and mineral replacement in the experiment were likely similar during fossilization of Cambrian embryos.

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Section: Preservation Of Organic Tissuesupporting

confidence: 60%

Section: Mineralizationmentioning

confidence: 80%

Section: Hippler Et Al: Experimental Mineralization Of Crustaceanmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Experimental mineralization of crustacean eggs: new implications for the fossilization of Precambrian–Cambrian embryos

Hippler

Steiner

et al. 2012

Biogeosciences

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“…Our data provide direct evidence for microbial biofilms and identification of bacterial taxa involved in decay, pseudomorphing of cell structures, and potential for mineralization that can lead ultimately to exceptional fossilization. We recognize that even when microbes are present, mineralization of animal soft tissue may be produced abiogenically, for example, under conditions of high phosphate concentrations (26)(27)(28). The frequency of these mineralization modes remains to be determined for embryos.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Embryo fossilization is a biological process mediated by microbial biofilms

Raff

Schollaert

Nelson

et al. 2008

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

131

116

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Fossilized embryos with extraordinary cellular preservation appear in the Late Neoproterozoic and Cambrian, coincident with the appearance of animal body fossils. It has been hypothesized that microbial processes are responsible for preservation and mineralization of organic tissues. However, the actions of microbes in preservation of embryos have not been demonstrated experimentally. Here, we show that bacterial biofilms assemble rapidly in dead marine embryos and form remarkable pseudomorphs in which the bacterial biofilm replaces and exquisitely models details of cellular organization and structure. The experimental model was the decay of cleavage stage embryos similar in size and morphology to fossil embryos. The data show that embryo preservation takes place in 3 distinct steps: (i) blockage of autolysis by reducing or anaerobic conditions, (ii) rapid formation of microbial biofilms that consume the embryo but form a replica that retains cell organization and morphology, and (iii) bacterially catalyzed mineralization. Major bacterial taxa in embryo decay biofilms were identified by using 16S rDNA sequencing. Decay processes were similar in different taphonomic conditions, but the composition of bacterial populations depended on specific conditions. Experimental taphonomy generates preservation states similar to those in fossil embryos. The data show how fossilization of soft tissues in sediments can be mediated by bacterial replacement and mineralization, providing a foundation for experimentally creating biofilms from defined microbial species to model fossilization as a biological process.bacterial ͉ developmental evolution ͉ metazoan origins ͉ taphonomy ͉ Cambrian

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“…Similar studies of embryos were not as successful at preserving cell structure. Experimental mineralization of lobster eggs in the presence of anaerobic sediments resulted in calcium carbonate deposition on the tough external egg envelope within 15-36 days, but no preservation or mineralization of the embryos within was observed (18).…”

mentioning

confidence: 98%

Experimental taphonomy shows the feasibility of fossil embryos

Villinski

Turner

et al. 2006

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

114

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The recent discovery of apparent fossils of embryos contemporaneous with the earliest animal remains may provide vital insights into the metazoan radiation. However, although the putative fossil remains are similar to modern marine animal embryos or larvae, their simple geometric forms also resemble other organic and inorganic structures. The potential for fossilization of animals at such developmental stages and the taphonomic processes that might affect preservation before mineralization have not been examined. Here, we report experimental taphonomy of marine embryos and larvae similar in size and inferred cleavage mode to presumptive fossil embryos. Under conditions that prevent autolysis, embryos within the fertilization envelope can be preserved with good morphology for sufficiently long periods for mineralization to occur. The reported fossil record exhibits size bias, but we show that embryo size is unlikely to be a major factor in preservation. Under some conditions of death, fossilized remains will not accurately reflect the cell structure of the living organism. Although embryos within the fertilization envelope have high preservation potential, primary larvae have negligible preservation potential. Thus the paleo-embryological record may have strong biases on developmental stages preserved. Our data provide a predictive basis for interpreting the fossil record to unravel the evolution of ontogeny in the origin of metazoans.embryo taphonomy ͉ fossil record ͉ metazoan origins ͉ developmental evolution

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Experimental mineralization of invertebrate eggs and the preservation of Neoproterozoic embryos

Cited by 40 publications

References 18 publications

Experimental mineralization of crustacean eggs: new implications for the fossilization of Precambrian–Cambrian embryos

Experimental mineralization of crustacean eggs: new implications for the fossilization of Precambrian–Cambrian embryos

Embryo fossilization is a biological process mediated by microbial biofilms

Experimental taphonomy shows the feasibility of fossil embryos

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