Evidence of giant sulphur bacteria in Neoproterozoic phosphorites

@article{Bailey2007EvidenceOG,
  title={Evidence of giant sulphur bacteria in Neoproterozoic phosphorites},
  author={Jake V. Bailey and Samantha B. Joye and Karen M. Kalanetra and Beverly E. Flood and Frank A. Corsetti},
  journal={Nature},
  year={2007},
  volume={445},
  pages={198-201}
}
In situ phosphatization and reductive cell division have recently been discovered within the vacuolate sulphur-oxidizing bacteria. Here we show that certain Neoproterozoic Doushantuo Formation (about 600 million years bp) microfossils, including structures previously interpreted as the oldest known metazoan eggs and embryos, can be interpreted as giant vacuolate sulphur bacteria. Sulphur bacteria of the genus Thiomargarita have sizes and morphologies similar to those of many Doushantuo… 
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161 Citations

Terminal Proterozoic cyanobacterial blooms and phosphogenesis documented by the Doushantuo granular phosphorites II: Microbial diversity and C isotopes

The role of microbes in the formation of modern and ancient phosphatic mineral deposits

It is demonstrated that polyphosphate utilization by sulfide-oxidizing bacteria results in the rapid precipitation of apatite – providing at least a partial mechanism to explain the close spatial correlation between accumulations of sulfides and phosphorites.

Phylogenetic and morphologic complexity of giant sulphur bacteria

A summary of the efforts made and achievements accomplished in the past years of the large sulphur bacteria is presented, and perspectives for investigating the heterogeneity and possible evolutionary developments in this extraordinary group of bacteria are given.

Dimorphism in methane seep-dwelling ecotypes of the largest known bacteria

Abundant growth of attached Thiomargarita-like bacteria on the integuments of gastropods and other seep fauna provides not only a novel ecological niche for these giant bacteria, but also for animals that may benefit from epibiont colonization.

Filamentous sulfur bacteria preserved in modern and ancient phosphatic sediments: implications for the role of oxygen and bacteria in phosphogenesis

It is suggested that sulfur bacteria, which are known to mediate the precipitation of apatite in modern sediments, were also present in certain phosphogenic settings for at least the last 600 million years.

Evidence of oxygenic phototrophy in ancient phosphatic stromatolites from the Paleoproterozoic Vindhyan and Aravalli Supergroups, India

It is suggested that the activity of oxygenic phototrophs may have been significant for the formation of apatite in both Vindhyan and Aravalli stromatolites, mainly by concentrating phosphate and creating steep diurnal redox gradients within mat pore spaces, promoting apatites precipitation.

Experimental taphonomy of giant sulphur bacteria: implications for the interpretation of the embryo-like Ediacaran Doushantuo fossils

The hypothesis that giant sulphur bacteria are an appropriate interpretative model for the embryo-like Doushantuo fossils does not support the hypothesis, but sulphuracteria may have mediated fossil mineralization and may provide a potential bacterial analogue for other macroscopic Precambrian remains.

Remarkably preserved prokaryote and eukaryote microfossils within 1Ga-old lake phosphates of the Torridon Group, NW Scotland

Microscopy evidence of bacterial microfossils in phosphorite crusts of the Peruvian shelf: Implications for phosphogenesis mechanisms

Microbial Diversity in Phosphate Rock and Phosphogypsum

This survey has underscored the importance of key microbial genera or consortia associated with at least one of these phenotypes: phosphate solubilization, heavy metals tolerance, radiation resistance, sulfur oxidation—associated to polyphosphate stocking and sulfate reduction.
...

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