2 research outputs found
Soft-tissue preservation in miocene frogs from Libros, Spain: Insights into the genesis of decay microenvironments
The Late Miocene Libros biota is a lacustrine-hosted, Konservat-Lagerstätte from Libros, near Teruel in northeast Spain. Adult frogs are characterized by the preservation of their soft tissues, some in histological detail. The soft tissues of the body outline are preserved as a layered structure, which comprises a central carbonaceous bacterial biofilm enveloped by the phosphatized remains of the mid-dermal Eberth-Katschenko layer, external to which is a second, thinner, carbonaceous bacterial biofilm. Bacterial autolithification is restricted to limited phosphatization of the cell margins of bacteria adjacent to phosphatized dermis. Phosphatization occurred during the late stages of decay; phosphate was sourced primarily from the dermis itself. Other tissues and organs are also defined in authigenic minerals: nervous tissue (aragonite), the stomach (calcium phosphate), and collagen fibers of the dermal stratum compactum (calcium sulphate); bone marrow is organically preserved. The disparate modes of soft-tissue preservation within individual specimens reflects development of several highly localized, chemically distinct microenvironments within the frog carcasses during decay. These microenvironments correspond to individual organs and tissues, were established at different times during decay, and varied in their duration. The preservation of soft tissues via multiple taphonomic pathways was controlled ultimately by anatomical and physiological factors. Copyright © 2009, SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology).Peer Reviewe
Soft-tissue preservation in Miocene frogs from Libros, Spain; insights into the genesis of decay microenvironments
The Late Miocene Libros biota is a lacustrine-hosted, Konservat-
Lagersta¨tte from Libros, near Teruel in northeast Spain. Adult frogs
are characterized by the preservation of their soft tissues, some in
histological detail. The soft tissues of the body outline are preserved
as a layered structure, which comprises a central carbonaceous bacterial
biofilm enveloped by the phosphatized remains of the mid-dermal
Eberth-Katschenko layer, external to which is a second, thinner,
carbonaceous bacterial biofilm. Bacterial autolithification is restricted
to limited phosphatization of the cell margins of bacteria adjacent
to phosphatized dermis. Phosphatization occurred during the late
stages of decay; phosphate was sourced primarily from the dermis
itself. Other tissues and organs are also defined in authigenic minerals:
nervous tissue (aragonite), the stomach (calcium phosphate),
and collagen fibers of the dermal stratum compactum (calcium sulphate);
bone marrow is organically preserved. The disparate modes
of soft-tissue preservation within individual specimens reflects development
of several highly localized, chemically distinct microenvironments
within the frog carcasses during decay. These microenvironments
correspond to individual organs and tissues, were established
at different times during decay, and varied in their duration. The
preservation of soft tissues via multiple taphonomic pathways was
controlled ultimately by anatomical and physiological factors.Funding was provided by Enterprise Ireland Basic
Research Grant SC/2002/138 to PJO.Peer reviewe