Mineralization Controls Informative Biomarker Preservation Associated With Soft Part Fossilization in Deep Time.

ABSTRACT: Diagenetically mineralized fossil tissues represent invaluable paleobiological evidence of past life. Lipid biomarkers may be identified alongside fossils, yet the relationship between localized, diagenetic mineral precipitation, and lipid preservation remains underexplored. Coprolites (fossilized feces) attract a unique diversity of early diagenetic minerals including carbonates and phosphates, within individual samples, mediating molecular preservation of soluble lipid biomarkers alongside exceptional morphological preservation. Analysis of a well-preserved coprolite from the Carboniferous (307 ± 0.1 Ma) Mazon Creek assemblage, USA via time of flight-secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) spatial compound mapping demonstrated the association of 5α,14α,17α(H) 20R cholestane, a C₂

SUBMITTER: Tripp M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12446897 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep-Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature