Double Fossilization in Eukaryotic Microorganisms from Lower Cretaceous Amber
Author Information
Author(s): Martín-González Ana, Wierzchos Jacek, Gutiérrez Juan-Carlos, Alonso Jesús, Ascaso Carmen
Primary Institution: Universidad Complutense, CSIC, Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Álava
Hypothesis
Can microorganisms be preserved through both pyritization and amber entrapment?
Conclusion
Double fossilization is possible under certain environmental conditions, showing that pyritization and embedding in amber are not always alternative modes of preservation.
Supporting Evidence
- Microfossils can provide insights into biological evolution and the planet's history.
- Pyritization is a significant mode of preservation for both plants and microorganisms.
- Amber acts as a natural embedding agent that preserves the three-dimensional form of organisms.
Takeaway
Scientists found tiny organisms trapped in amber that were also turned into pyrite, showing that two different ways of preserving them can happen at the same time.
Methodology
The study used scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to analyze the microfossils.
Limitations
The study primarily focuses on specific amber deposits and may not represent all fossilization processes.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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