Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2015
Publication Title
Palaios
Abstract
Neoproterozoic carbonate successions provide a new taphonomic window into the diversification of eukaryotes. We report recently discovered macroscopic organic warty sheets (MOWS) in macerates of limestone from the ca. 662-635 Ma Taishir Formation (Tsagaan Olom Group, Mongolia). Sheets are applanate. One surface contains raised ridges and conspicuous, ∼ 100-μm-tall warty protuberances with depressed tops that enclose internal cavities containing cellular structures. The Taishir MOWS may be the remains of unusual bacterial, protistan, or fungal biofilms, or a previously undocumented, extinct taxon. However, multiple lines of evidence including the morphology of warty protuberances and the presence of cellular architecture within protuberances support the interpretation of MOWS as marine algae, perhaps a member of the Rhodophyta. Regardless of their specific taxonomic affiliation, MOWS increase the diversity of biota reported from the Cryogenian glacial interlude and indicate the presence of macroscopic and morphologically complex multicellular organisms in the Cryogenian.
Volume
30
Issue
3
First Page
238
Last Page
247
DOI
10.2110/palo.2014.069
ISSN
08831351
Recommended Citation
Cohen, Phoebe A.; Macdonald, Francis A.; Pruss, Sara; Matys, Emily; and Bosak, Tanja, "Fossils of Putative Marine Algae from the Cryogenian Glacial Interlude of Mongolia" (2015). Geosciences: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/geo_facpubs/123
Comments
Archived as published. Open access article