2019
DOI: 10.1038/s41559-019-1048-2
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Sources of C30 steroid biomarkers in Neoproterozoic–Cambrian rocks and oils

Abstract: Nettersheim et al. 1 propose that unicellular Rhizaria are the likely biological source of the C 30 steroidal hydrocarbons found abundantly in Neoproterozoic-Cambrian sedimentary rocks. Their hypothesis challenges earlier research arguing that 24-isopropylcholestane (24ipc) and 26-methylstigmastane (26-mes) are produced by demosponges and, therefore, early animal biomarkers 2-4. Fundamental problems beset the new steroid biomarker data and its interpretation 1. The primary problem is one of mass balance. C 30 … Show more

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Cited by 20 publications
(18 citation statements)
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“…Although C 30 ‐npc found in Devonian and younger samples has been attributed to the emergence of marine pelagophyte algae since mid‐Paleozoic (Moldowan, Seifert, Arnold, & Clardy, 1984), its occurrence in Neoproterozoic and early Paleozoic strata has been ascribed to other sources, possibly including foraminifera and sponges (Gold et al, 2016; Grabenstatter et al., 2013). More recently, another rare C 30 steroid 26‐methylstigmastane, and its co‐occurrence with C 30 ‐ipc and C 30 ‐npc in suites of Neoproterozoic samples attribute all three C 30 steranes to demosponges (Zumberge et al., 2018), however, is a topic of continuing debate (Hallmann et al., 2019; Love et al., 2019; Nettersheim et al., 2019). Consistent with a source from demosponges, 26‐methylstigmastane was consistently present, albeit in trace amounts, in all samples analyzed (Figure S2).…”
Section: Resultsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Although C 30 ‐npc found in Devonian and younger samples has been attributed to the emergence of marine pelagophyte algae since mid‐Paleozoic (Moldowan, Seifert, Arnold, & Clardy, 1984), its occurrence in Neoproterozoic and early Paleozoic strata has been ascribed to other sources, possibly including foraminifera and sponges (Gold et al, 2016; Grabenstatter et al., 2013). More recently, another rare C 30 steroid 26‐methylstigmastane, and its co‐occurrence with C 30 ‐ipc and C 30 ‐npc in suites of Neoproterozoic samples attribute all three C 30 steranes to demosponges (Zumberge et al., 2018), however, is a topic of continuing debate (Hallmann et al., 2019; Love et al., 2019; Nettersheim et al., 2019). Consistent with a source from demosponges, 26‐methylstigmastane was consistently present, albeit in trace amounts, in all samples analyzed (Figure S2).…”
Section: Resultsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…The earliest fossilized animals date back approximately 575 Ma [14,43], roughly 1.7 Gyr after the GOE. Biomarkers imply that demosponges may have emerged before this, perhaps as far back as 660 Ma [44], although this has been disputed [45] and the debate continues [46][47][48]. Furthermore, analysis of biomolecular clocks (where rates of mutation are analysed to determine the past divergence of species and biological functionalities in lieu of alternative evidence, such as fossils) indicates possible animal life 200 Myr prior to the emergence of animal fossils [15,49].…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…2016; Love et al 2009;Love and Summons 2015;Love et al 2020;Maloof et al 2010). Sponge larvae have Reynolds numbers near 1 (Woollacott 1990;Woollacott 1993) and a single sponge osculum can have Reynolds numbers that range from 17 to 150 (Goldstein et al 2019).…”
mentioning
confidence: 99%