INTRODUCTION TO MICROPALEONTOLOGY

MICROPALEONTOLOGY Study of small fossils that must be studied with a microscope. Taxonomically diverse & heterogeneous: –Monerans (Bacteria) –Protistans (small Eucarya) –[Review 5-kingdom & 3-domain classifications] –Parts of Animals (e.g., teeth, scales) and Plants (e.g., pollen, spores) –Fungi (minor) –Incertae sedis (of unknown taxonomic affinities)

MICROPALEONTOLOGY DEVELOPED FOR PRACTICAL REASONS Size of some fossils requires –microscopic equipment –different preparation techniques Commercial applications in search for mineral and energy resources Abundance of microfossils is high Small sediment samples are sufficient, e.g., well cuttings Rigorous quantitative analyses are possible Distribution of microfossils is widespread –Geographically –Environmentally –Lithologically –Age

MICROPALEONTOLOGY DEVELOPED FOR PRACTICAL REASONS Most microfossils are marine & most sedimentary rocks are marine But, many occur in otherwise unfossiliferous nonmarine rocks, e.g., pollen and spores of land plants (=palynology), ostracodes, conchostracans, charophytes. Microfossils are generally excellent indicators of –Age –Paleoecology –Paleoenvironments –Paleogeography –Thermal maturation

EXAMPLES OF TAXONOMIC DIVERSITY Prokaryotic Bacteria (cosmopolitan, Precambrian-Recent) [Reading assignment in Brasier = Chapters 1-3 (copied)] Protoctistans (~Protista) –Dinoflagellates –Silicoflagellates –Coccolithophores –*Diatoms –Chlorophyta –Charophyta –Rhodophyta –Tintinnids –Calpionellids –*Acritarchs –Chitinozoa –Ebridians –**Radiolaria –*****Foraminifera

EXAMPLES OF TAXONOMIC DIVERSITY Animalia –Micromollusks (Pteropods, tiny prosobranchs & bivalves) –***Ostracodes (Arthropoda) –Branchiopods (Arthropoda) Skeletal elements (parts) –Spicules (Porifera & other invertebrate phyla) –Sclerites of sea cucumbers –***Conodonts (Chordata) –Scolecodonts (Annelida) –***Pollen & spores of Tracheophyta (vascular plants) (palynology)

EXAMPLES OF TAXONOMIC DIVERSITY Megafossils that are studied exclusively microscopically –**Bryozoa (=Ectoprocta) –**Graptolites –Stromatoporoids (Porifera) –Calcareous algae

DIVERSITY OF SKELETAL COMPOSITIONS *Aragonite *Calcite *Mg-calcite *Opalline silica *Apatite *Organic –Chitin –Cellulose –Others *Arenaceous/agglutinated Rare minerals –Celestite (Sr sulfate) –Magnetite –Rhodocrosite (sp?)

DIVERSITY OF SAMPLE PREPARATION TECHNIQUES Unconsolidated sediments –Washing & sieving –Heavy liquid separations –Floatation Consolidated/cemented sedimentary rocks –Splitting and crushing –Chemical solution and disaggregation (e.g., for ostracodes, etc.) –Acid dissolution and insoluble residue analysis –Thin section studies (e.g., fusulinids)

GEOL 3213, Micropaleontology Description: – Study of selected major groups of microfossils and their morphology, classification, evolution, paleoecology and biostratigraphy. Laboratory work may include field work and a research project. Prerequisite: –GEOL 2213, History of Life (or permission of the instructor)

GOALS  Survey the major and some of the minor microfossil groups  Identify major fossil groups in thin section  Prepare samples for microfossil analysis  Pick microfossils from prepared samples  Prepare micropaleontology slides for study  Recognize major kinds of microfossils isolated from matrix  Recognize a population of individuals as representing a species, genus, etc.  Identify genera and species with suitable reference materials  Prepare faunal lists for evaluation  Be able to use a faunal list to determine an assemblage's age  Be able to use a faunal list to determine an assemblage's paleoecology  Become familiar with applying the procedures of taxonomy  Be able to describe and illustrate fossils  Be able to prepare a report on a fossil assemblage

EVALUATION Laboratory reports on fossil assemblages35% Laboratory skill development 5 Written homework assignments10 Tests: –Test #110 –Test #2[10% each (or 15% high & 5% low)]10 –Test #310 PowerPoint Oral presentation10 Class participation 5 Class & laboratory attendance _5 100% [Optional final examination = 33%]

Outline of Topics in Detail Lectures – see syllabus Laboratories – see syllabus ACME “Related Links” provides various files: –Syllabus –Powerpoint lecture files –Assignments

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5 KINGDOMS (Whittaker; Whittaker & Margulis) Symbiosis Theory for the origin of eucaryotic cell (Margulis)

Broad Cell Categories Prokaryotic cell evolved first: –Small cells –No nucleus –No organelles (no chloroplasts, etc.) Eukaryotic cell evolved ~1.5 Ga ago (?2.7Ga) through symbiosis: –Larger cells –Has nucleus, organelles, etc. Chloroplasts from cyanobacteria Flagella from other prokariotes Golgi body from other prokariates

Model for Symbiosis Theory for Origin of Eukaryotic cells

DOMAIN CONCEPT 3 Domains of Carl Woese of Univ. of Illinois (early 1990’s):

MANY MORE KINGDOMS NOW CONSIDERED 3 Domains of Carl Woese of Univ. of Ill.:

ARCHAEA Domain Archaea with 3 kingdoms: 2.7 Ga molecular data (Australia) 3.8 Ga organic matter = chemical fossils? Methanogens Thermophiles Halophiles

Kingdoms vs Domains A. The new tradition became the 5 kingdom system. MoneraProtistaPlantaeFungiAnimalia C. 3-Domain system is widely accepted today BACTERIABACTERIA ARCHAEAARCHAEA PlantaeFungi Animalia Domain EUKARYA But, these were polyphyletic! ARCHEZOAARCHEZOA EUGLENOZOaEUGLENOZOa ALVEOLATaALVEOLATa STRAMENOPILaSTRAMENOPILa RhODOPHYTARhODOPHYTA + others B. Then, 6 (& even 8) kingdoms were proposed: MoneraProtistaPlantaeFungiAnimalia Archae- bacteria

New Version of the Tree of Life

3-Domain Classification Based on molecular analyses

Domain Bacteria Domain Archaea Domain Eucarya K. Archaezoa K. Euglenozoa K. Alveolata Dinoflagellates Apicomplexans Ciliates K. Stramenopila Diatoms Golden Algae Brown Algae Water Molds K. Rhodophyta K. Plantae Chlorophyta Tracheophyta K. Animalia Ancestor

MICROPALEONTOLOGY