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A new approach to ancient microorganisms: taxonomy, paleoecology, and biostratigraphy of the Lower Cambrian Berkuta and Chulaktau microbiotas of South Kazakhstan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2016

J. William Schopf ,
Vladimir N. Sergeev  and
Anatoliy B. Kudryavtsev
J. William Schopf
Affiliation:
Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, Center for the Study of Evolution and the Origin of Life, and Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles 90095 USA; PennState Astrobiology Research Center, Deike Building, University Park, PA 16802 USA; and University of Wisconsin Astrobiology Research Consortium, Madison, WI 53706, USA; 〈[email protected]〉
Vladimir N. Sergeev
Affiliation:
Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pyzhevskii per., 7, Moscow, 119017, Russia, 〈[email protected]〉
Anatoliy B. Kudryavtsev
Affiliation:
Center for the Study of Evolution and the Origin of Life, University of California, Los Angeles 90095 USA; PennState Astrobiology Research Center, Deike Building, University Park, PA 16802 USA; and University of Wisconsin Astrobiology Research Consortium, Madison, WI 53706, USA; 〈[email protected]〉
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Abstract

Peritidal cherts and silicified phosphorites of the Early Cambrian Kyrshabakta (Berkuta Member) and Chulaktau formations of South Kazakhstan contain diverse assemblages of cellularly permineralized microorganisms that like other microbiotas of similar age and setting are dominated by cyanobacteria, both filamentous (oscillatoriacean trichomes and empty sheaths) and coccoidal (chroococcaceans). Although these near-shore assemblages contain sphaeromorph acritarchs, they differ from Neoproterozoic and Early Cambrian microbiotas of more open-marine environments by lacking morphologically complex planktonic eukaryotes such as the acanthomorphic acritarchs that are abundant in the Chulaktau-overlying Shabakta Formation. In general composition, the Berkuta and Chulaktau assemblages are similar both to microfossil assemblages of the pre-trilobite Rovno and Lontova Regional Stages of the East European Platform and to Early Cambrian microbiotas known from chert-phosphorite deposits worldwide.

The studies reported here are based on use of optical microscopy combined with techniques recently introduced to paleobiology: confocal laser scanning microscopy, and Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy and imagery. Taken together, these provide information in situ, in three dimensions and at high spatial resolution, about the organismal morphology; cellular anatomy; chemical composition; and mode, fidelity, and environment of preservation of the permineralized microfossils. Data are presented suggesting that the substitution of samarium for calcium in fossil-preserving apatite may provide evidence of its oxic or anoxic paleoenvironment of formation.

We interpret the Berkuta and Chulaktau assemblages to be composed of 27 taxa assigned to 17 genera of microscopic prokaryotes and eukaryotes that include one new genus and species, Berkutaphycus elongatus.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Paleontology , Volume 89 , Issue 5 , September 2015 , pp. 695 - 729
Copyright
Copyright © 2016, The Paleontological Society 

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