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Terrestrial soft-bodied protists and other microorganisms in triassic amber
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|January 8, 1993
Summary
Ancient microorganisms, including protists and fungi, preserved in 220-million-year-old amber reveal gradual morphological evolution. This suggests long-term stasis in many protist groups dating back to the Upper Triassic period.
Area of Science:
- Paleontology
- Microbiology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Fossilized microorganisms provide insights into ancient life.
- Amber inclusions offer exceptional preservation of soft-bodied organisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diversity and evolutionary implications of microorganisms preserved in Upper Triassic amber.
Main Methods:
- Microscopic examination of microorganisms within amber samples.
- Taxonomic classification of ancient microbes by comparing them to extant groups.
Main Results:
- Discovery of diverse microorganisms including protozoa, cyanobacteria, algae, fungi, pollen, and spores in 220-230 million-year-old amber.
- Many identified microorganisms could be assigned to present-day taxonomic groups.
- Preservation of terrestrial, soft-bodied protists indicates their ancient presence.
Conclusions:
- Morphological evolution in many protists is exceptionally gradual.
- Structural and functional stasis in protists extends back to at least the Upper Triassic period.
- Provides evidence for the long-term stability of microbial lineages.
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