Interactions between Ediacaran animals and microbial mats: Insights from Lamonte trevallis, a new trace fossil from the Dengying Formation of South China

Meyer, M.; Xiao, Shuhai; Gill, Benjamin C.; Schiffbauer, James D.; Chen, Zhe; Zhou, Chuanming; Yuan, Xunlai

doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2013.12.026

Cited by 103 publications

(100 citation statements)

References 72 publications

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“…1) in the Yangtze Gorges was presented in detail by Chen et al (2013a,b) and Meyer et al (2014b). To summarize, the Dengying Formation overlies the early-middle Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation (635-551 Ma) and underlies early Cambrian Yanjiahe Formation (Dong et al, 2009;Jiang et al, 2012).…”

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…Layers exhibiting cross stratification and rip-up clasts are rare but present, indicating that episodic high-energy events, such as storms, affected the depositional environment (examples of these can be see seen in fig. 2E and F of Meyer et al, 2014b). Crinkled microlaminae consisting of organic-rich, calcareous clays and silts are very common, and are often intercalated with thin limestone layers of intraclastic, pelloidal, and oolitic packstone and grainstone (Fig.…”

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lamonte trevallis is a relatively large Ediacaran ichnospecies that is preserved differently than most trace fossils from the time period. Discovered in the Shibantan Member of the Deny-ing Formation ($551-541 Ma) in the Yangtze Gorges area of South China, L. trevallis offers a unique opportunity to study early bioturbators (Chen et al, 2013a,b;Meyer et al, 2014b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The horizontal burrows, relatively large for the time period (up to $1 cm in diameter) and preserved in full relief, are the most commonly encountered variant of L. trevallis morphology (Chen et al, 2013a,b). L. trevallis burrows occur exclusively within clayey and silty crinkled microlaminated layers that are interpreted as the remnants of amalgamated microbial mats (Chen et al, 2013a;Meyer et al, 2014b). These microbial mats were ubiquitous during the Ediacaran Period, often sealing the sediment from geochemical exchange with the overlying water column (Duda et al, 2014;Gingras et al, 2011;Tarhan et al, 2013;Zakrevskaya, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Targeted petrographic thin sections were of limited utility in earlier L. trevallis studies due to their two-dimensional nature and limited coverage (figs. 3 and 4 in Meyer et al, 2014b). Serial grinding through a hand sample has been used before to examine trace fossils, but this can be time consuming and ultimately destroys the fossil material (Bednarz and McIlroy, 2009;Sutton et al, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Beyond the stony veil: Reconstructing the Earth’s earliest large animal traces via computed tomography X-ray imaging

Meyer

Polys

Yaqoob

et al. 2017

Precambrian Research

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a b s t r a c tTrace fossils are superb lines of evidence for examining the ancient biologic world because they offer an opportunity to infer behavioral ecology of organisms. However, traces can be difficult to parse from their matrix, which leads to the loss of important morphological and behavioral data. This is especially true for the earliest marine animal traces from the Ediacaran Period (635-541 Ma), which are usually small (<5 mm in diameter) and simple (mostly small horizontal trails and burrows), and are sometimes difficult to be distinguished from co-existing tubular body fossils. There is also evidence that the prevalence of microbial substrates in Ediacaran oceans may have influenced emerging trace makers in nonactualistic ways from a late Phanerozoic perspective (e.g., microbial mats may have facilitated a strong geochemical gradient across the sediment-water interface). Therefore, the discovery of the relatively large traces of Lamonte trevallis from the Ediacaran Shibantan Member of the Denying Formation ($551-541 Ma) in the Yangtze Gorges area of South China provides a unique opportunity to study early bioturbators. These trace fossils are large enough and have sufficient compositional contrast (relative to the matrix) for in situ analysis via X-ray computed tomography (CT) and microcomputed tomography (microCT). Each analytical method has its own advantages and disadvantages. CT scans can image larger specimens, but cannot adequately resolve small features of interest. MicroCT scans can achieve higher resolution, but can only be used with small samples and may involve more post-processing than CT scans. As demonstrated in this study, X-ray CT and microCT in combination with other 3D imaging techniques and resources have the potential to resolve the 3D morphology of Ediacaran trace fossils. A new Volumetric Bioturbation Intensity (VBI) is also proposed, which quantifies whole rock bioturbation using 3D analysis of subsurface traces. Combined with the ability to examine trace fossils in situ, the VBI can enhance our view of ancient ecologies and life's enduring relationship with sediments.

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Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 86%

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Beyond the stony veil: Reconstructing the Earth’s earliest large animal traces via computed tomography X-ray imaging

Meyer

Polys

Yaqoob

et al. 2017

Precambrian Research

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The Ediacaran‐Cambrian Transition

Kaufman

2018

Geophysical Monograph Series

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Enigmatic Ediacaran megascopic bedding plane structures on the Sonia Sandstone, Jodhpur Group, Marwar Supergroup, India: seaweed or problematica?

Pandey

Шарма

2016

Geol. J.

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The present study discusses the origin and affinity of enigmatic Ediacaran bedding plane structures reported earlier from the Sonia Sandstone of the Marwar Supergroup (Ediacaran to Lower Cambrian). These forms are conspicuously large, non‐carbonaceous and three‐dimensionally preserved. Morphologically, these structures are not comparable with any known plant/animal fossil, trace fossil, microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS) found in the Ediacaran assemblages or any other extant forms and are invariably associated with MISS. Past researches on these fossils did not resolve their affinity, form and function. The present forms have certain features akin to seaweed organization such as thallus, loop pattern within the thallus, variously positioned nodes/swellings, tapering at the end of thallus, branching pattern and rarely occurring holdfast‐like features. Systematic description, incorporating detailed morphological features, population size, their relationship with associated sediments and stratigraphic distribution, is based on the study of 54 specimens. Subtidal to intertidal models of depositional sedimentary environment, palaeoecology, biogenicity, affinity, taphonomic changes, association of these forms with MISS and other parameters are also discussed. A succession of plausible interpretations is offered; seaweed is the most likely interpretation. The Marwar Supergroup, thus, unravels some of the hitherto enigmatic forms of the Ediacaran Period (635–541 Ma). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Interactions between Ediacaran animals and microbial mats: Insights from Lamonte trevallis, a new trace fossil from the Dengying Formation of South China

Cited by 103 publications

References 72 publications

Beyond the stony veil: Reconstructing the Earth’s earliest large animal traces via computed tomography X-ray imaging

Beyond the stony veil: Reconstructing the Earth’s earliest large animal traces via computed tomography X-ray imaging

The Ediacaran‐Cambrian Transition

Enigmatic Ediacaran megascopic bedding plane structures on the Sonia Sandstone, Jodhpur Group, Marwar Supergroup, India: seaweed or problematica?

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