Dataset Information

The role of volcanic-derived clays in the preservation of Ediacaran biota from the Itajai Basin (ca. 563 Ma, Brazil).

ABSTRACT: The early evolution of metazoans has been reconstructed by studies on exceptionally preserved molds in siliciclastic rocks from the Ediacaran Period. However, there remains considerable controversy regarding the formation mechanisms of this unusual 'Ediacaran-style' preservation. Proposed hypotheses usually include early authigenesis of minerals, but evidence for this is scarce. In a recently discovered deposit of Ediacaran biota in Brazil, we show that the classic moldic preservation is related to clay mineral authigenesis. Specifically, these clays originated from the alteration of original pyroclastic sediments, likely enhanced by microbial activity, leading to early illitization and morphological templating of the fossiliferous surfaces at a micrometric scale. Such high-fidelity preservation was made possible by rapid burial during volcanic events and the in-situ templating of tissue by clays via microbially-mediated mineralization. This newly described Lagerstätte demonstrates that a number of minerals can facilitate preservation, and that perhaps 'Ediacaran-style' preservation result from different processes leading to the same broad style of preservation.

SUBMITTER: Becker-Kerber B

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7930025 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

The role of volcanic-derived clays in the preservation of Ediacaran biota from the Itajaí Basin (ca. 563 Ma, Brazil).

Becker-Kerber Bruno B El Albani Abderrazak A Konhauser Kurt K Abd Elmola Ahmed A Fontaine Claude C Paim Paulo S G PSG Mazurier Arnaud A Prado Gustavo M E M GMEM Galante Douglas D Kerber Pedro B PB da Rosa Ana L Z ALZ Fairchild Thomas R TR Meunier Alain A Pacheco Mírian L A F MLAF

Scientific reports 20210303 1

The early evolution of metazoans has been reconstructed by studies on exceptionally preserved molds in siliciclastic rocks from the Ediacaran Period. However, there remains considerable controversy regarding the formation mechanisms of this unusual 'Ediacaran-style' preservation. Proposed hypotheses usually include early authigenesis of minerals, but evidence for this is scarce. In a recently discovered deposit of Ediacaran biota in Brazil, we show that the classic moldic preservation is related ...[more]

PMID: 33658558

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Project description:Little is known of the earliest stages of soil biota development of volcanic ash, and how rapidly it can proceed. We investigated the potential for soil biota development during the first 3 years, using outdoor mesocosms of sterile, freshly fallen volcanic ash from the Sakurajima volcano, Japan. Mesocosms were positioned in a range of climates across Japan and compared over 3 years, against the developed soils of surrounding natural ecosystems. DNA was extracted from mesocosms and community composition assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequences. Metagenome sequences were obtained using shotgun metagenome sequencing. While at 12 months there was insufficient DNA for sequencing, by 24 months and 36 months, the ash-soil metagenomes already showed a similar diversity of functional genes to the developed soils, with a similar range of functions. In a surprising contrast with our hypotheses, we found that the developing ash-soil community already showed a similar gene function diversity, phylum diversity and overall relative abundances of kingdoms of life when compared to developed forest soils. The ash mesocosms also did not show any increased relative abundance of genes associated with autotrophy (rbc, coxL), nor increased relative abundance of genes that are associated with acquisition of nutrients from abiotic sources (nifH). Although gene identities and taxonomic affinities in the developing ash-soils are to some extent distinct from the natural vegetation soils, it is surprising that so many of the key components of a soil community develop already by the 24-month stage. In this system, however, rapid development may be facilitated by the relatively moderate pH of the Sakurajima ash, proximity of our mesocosms to propagule sources, and the rapid establishment of a productive bryophyte and lichen layer on the surface. Ash from other volcanoes richer in acids or more distant from propagule sources could show a different pattern and slower soil biota development.

Dataset Information

The role of volcanic-derived clays in the preservation of Ediacaran biota from the Itajai Basin (ca. 563 Ma, Brazil).

Publications

The role of volcanic-derived clays in the preservation of Ediacaran biota from the Itajaí Basin (ca. 563 Ma, Brazil).

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