Vendotaenid

Vendotaenids are ribbon-shaped, carbonaceous, Precambrian macrofossils.[1] They are thought to represent giant sulfide-reducing bacteria, similar to Thiomargarita.[1] Many form genera, including Vendotaenida, have been described.[2]

Morphology

The fossils reach around 15 cm in length and are around a millimetre in width.[1]

Affinity

Originally interpreted as brown algae, the fossils are now thought to represent sulfide-reducing bacteria.[1]

Occurrence

The carbonaceous fossils, which can be extracted by HF dissolution, are found in precambrian to Early Cambrian rocks, dating from approx. 650 to 530 million years ago.[1]

See Also

List of Ediacaran genera

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Vidal, G. (1989). "Are late Proterozoic carbonaceous megafossils metaphytic algae or bacteria?". Lethaia 22 (4): 375–379. doi:10.1111/j.1502-3931.1989.tb01437.x.
  2. ↑ Tewari, V. C. (2005). "Microbial Diversity in Meso-Neoproterozoic Formations, with Particular Reference to the Himalaya". In Seckbach, Joseph. Origins. Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology 6. Dordrecht: Kluwer Acad. Publ. pp. 517–341. doi:10.1007/1-4020-2522-X_31. ISBN 978-1-4020-1813-8.