Primordial magnetotaxis in putative giant paleoproterozoic magnetofossils.

Primeiro Autor Bellon, U. D., Williams, W., Trindade, R. I. F., Maldanis, L., & Galante, D.
Autores Bellon, U. D., Williams, W., Trindade, R. I. F., Maldanis, L., & Galante, D.
Resumo

Magnetotactic bacteria produce chains of nanoscopic iron minerals used for navigation, which can be preserved over geological timescales in the form of magnetofossils. Micrometer-sized magnetite crystals with unusual shapes suggesting a biologically controlled mineralization have been found in the geological record and termed giant magnetofossils. The biological origin and function of giant magnetofossils remains unclear, due to the lack of modern analogues to giant magnetofossils. Using distinctive Ptychographic nanotomography data of Precambrian (1.88 Ga) rocks, we recovered the morphology of micrometric cuboid grains of iron oxides embedded in an organic filamentous fossil to construct synthetic magnetosomes. Their morphology is different from that of previously found giant magnetofossils, but their occurrence in filamentous microfossils and micromagnetic simulations support the hypothesis that they could have functioned as a navigation aid, akin to modern magnetosomes.

Programa Geofísica
Ano de publicação 2024
Tipo de publicação Artigo publicado em revista
Nome da revista/jornal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Localidade Publicação Internacional
Volume 121 (23)
Número e2319148121
DOI https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2319148121
Página web https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2319148121