Triassic leech cocoon from Antarctica contains fossil bell animal

33Citations
Citations of this article
43Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Our understanding of the evolution of life on Earth is limited by the imperfection of the fossil record. One reason for this imperfect record is that organisms without hard parts, such as bones, shells, and wood, have a very low potential to enter the fossil record. Occasionally, however, exceptional fossil deposits that preserve soft-bodied organisms provide a rare glimpse of the true biodiversity during past periods of Earth history. We here present an extraordinary find of a fossil ciliate that is encased inside the wall layer of a more than 200 Ma leech cocoon from Antarctica. The microfossil consists of a helically contractile stalk that attaches to a main body with a peristomial feeding apparatus and a large C-shaped macronucleus. It agrees in every aspect with the living bell animals, such as Vorticella. Vorticellids and similar peritrichs are vital constituents of aquatic ecosystems worldwide, but so far have lacked any fossil record. This discovery offers a glimpse of ancient soft-bodied protozoan biotas, and also highlights the potential of clitellate cocoons as microscopic "conservation traps" comparable to amber.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Bomfleur, B., Kerp, H., Taylor, T. N., Moestrup, Ø., & Taylor, E. L. (2012). Triassic leech cocoon from Antarctica contains fossil bell animal. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 109(51), 20971–20974. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1218879109

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free