New multi-scale perspectives on the stromatolites of Shark Bay, Western Australia.

ABSTRACT: A recent field-intensive program in Shark Bay, Western Australia provides new multi-scale perspectives on the world's most extensive modern stromatolite system. Mapping revealed a unique geographic distribution of morphologically distinct stromatolite structures, many of them previously undocumented. These distinctive structures combined with characteristic shelf physiography define eight 'Stromatolite Provinces'. Morphological and molecular studies of microbial mat composition resulted in a revised growth model where coccoid cyanobacteria predominate in mat communities forming lithified discrete stromatolite buildups. This contradicts traditional views that stromatolites with the best lamination in Hamelin Pool are formed by filamentous cyanobacterial mats. Finally, analysis of internal f

SUBMITTER: Suosaari EP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4738353 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature