Experimental mineralization of invertebrate eggs and the preservation of Neoproterozoic embryos

Research Article| January 01, 2003 Experimental mineralization of invertebrate eggs and the preservation of Neoproterozoic embryos Derek Martin; Derek Martin 1Department of Earth Sciences, Bristol University, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Derek E.G. Briggs; Derek E.G. Briggs 1Department of Earth Sciences, Bristol University, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar R. John Parkes R. John Parkes 1Department of Earth Sciences, Bristol University, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Derek Martin 1Department of Earth Sciences, Bristol University, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK Derek E.G. Briggs 1Department of Earth Sciences, Bristol University, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK R. John Parkes 1Department of Earth Sciences, Bristol University, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 14 May 2002 Revision Received: 10 Sep 2002 Accepted: 13 Sep 2002 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2003) 31 (1): 39–42. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2003)031<0039:EMOIEA>2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 14 May 2002 Revision Received: 10 Sep 2002 Accepted: 13 Sep 2002 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Derek Martin, Derek E.G. Briggs, R. John Parkes; Experimental mineralization of invertebrate eggs and the preservation of Neoproterozoic embryos. Geology 2003;; 31 (1): 39–42. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2003)031<0039:EMOIEA>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Understanding the processes that led to the mineralization of Precambrian metazoan eggs and embryos is essential to informed interpretations of such fossils and their significance in early metazoan evolution. Here we show that rapid mineralization of invertebrate eggs is possible under laboratory conditions. Under anaerobic conditions, eggs become coated in mainly calcium carbonate within three weeks. Preservation of the external morphology is comparable to that of fossil material, but no internal mineralization was observed in the laboratory. This is the first report of the laboratory mineralization of metazoan eggs in the absence of a decaying carcass, and demonstrates that eggs, and probably small embryos, can be preserved in the absence of larger organisms as a source of phosphorus or calcium. Thus, it is possible for organisms of this size to have been fossilized prior to the evolution of large metazoans. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.