A 2.4 billion year old rock and the origins of complex life
July 17, 2024 8:16 AM Subscribe
At 2.4 billion years old, this shiny black rock could tell scientists an enormous amount about the origins of complex life.
A 2.4-billion-year old microfossil found in the Pilbara's Hamersley Ranges could be a missing link in the evolution from simple to complex life, according to researchers.
Oh gosh I want to know more! This is pretty good for mainstream science reporting but I'd love a bit more technical depth.
Here's Dr. Erica Barlow's home page. Her research page has an overview of her work. There she calls out three links: her PhD and two papers. Snapshot of an early Paleoproterozoic ecosystem: Two diverse microfossil communities from the Turee Creek Group, Western Australia and Distinctive microfossil supports early Paleoproterozoic rise in complex cellular organisation. From the second paper's abstract
posted by Nelson at 9:25 AM on July 17 [3 favorites]
Here's Dr. Erica Barlow's home page. Her research page has an overview of her work. There she calls out three links: her PhD and two papers. Snapshot of an early Paleoproterozoic ecosystem: Two diverse microfossil communities from the Turee Creek Group, Western Australia and Distinctive microfossil supports early Paleoproterozoic rise in complex cellular organisation. From the second paper's abstract
the morphology, habitat, reproduction and metabolism of this unusual form, whose distinctive, SA morphology has no known counterpart in the fossil record. Comparative analysis with microfossils from before the GOE reveals the large SA microfossils represent a step-up in cellular organisation. Morphological comparison to extant micro-organisms indicates the SAs have more in common with coenobial algae than coccoidal bacteria, emphasising the complexity of this microfossil form. The remarkable preservation here provides a unique window into the biosphere, revealing an increase in the complexity of life coinciding with the GOE.Alas these are proper journal articles for other experts and lack the storytelling of good science journalism. But definitely satisfies my desire to know more.
posted by Nelson at 9:25 AM on July 17 [3 favorites]
Anyone who wants to get into the nitty gritty of Earth's earliest history (for some values of nitty gritty that are comprehensible to us in the lay public) might enjoy Bedrock: Earth's Earliest History, which is a podcast that starts when Earth starts and goes from there.
The host probably knows Dr. Barlow, since his research focus is on stromatolites, which is a bit further down the line, but definitely in the the same area where geology and paleontology blur together.
posted by ursus_comiter at 10:19 AM on July 17 [3 favorites]
The host probably knows Dr. Barlow, since his research focus is on stromatolites, which is a bit further down the line, but definitely in the the same area where geology and paleontology blur together.
posted by ursus_comiter at 10:19 AM on July 17 [3 favorites]
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(I'll see myself out.)
posted by Silvery Fish at 9:10 AM on July 17 [1 favorite]