Australian fossil site is a vivid window into 15m-year-old rainforest

Likely to contain dozens of undiscovered species, the site is so well-preserved that the contents of fish stomachs and breathing apparatus of spiders can be seen

The Australian paleontologist Matthew McCurry was digging for Jurassic fossils when a farmer dropped by with news of something he’d seen in his paddock – a fossilised leaf in a piece of hard brown rock.

Fossil leaves are not usually anything to write home about, but the spot was close, so McCurry and his colleague Michael Frese went to take a look.

What they found in that dusty paddock near the New South Wales town of Gulgong five years ago has had paleontologists – at least those few who have known the secret – in awe.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jan/08/a-rosetta-stone-australian-fossil-site-is-a-vivid-window-into-15m-year-old-rainforest

fsm said:

Australian fossil site is a vivid window into 15m-year-old rainforest

Likely to contain dozens of undiscovered species, the site is so well-preserved that the contents of fish stomachs and breathing apparatus of spiders can be seen

The Australian paleontologist Matthew McCurry was digging for Jurassic fossils when a farmer dropped by with news of something he’d seen in his paddock – a fossilised leaf in a piece of hard brown rock.

Fossil leaves are not usually anything to write home about, but the spot was close, so McCurry and his colleague Michael Frese went to take a look.

What they found in that dusty paddock near the New South Wales town of Gulgong five years ago has had paleontologists – at least those few who have known the secret – in awe.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jan/08/a-rosetta-stone-australian-fossil-site-is-a-vivid-window-into-15m-year-old-rainforest

Good find, I’d love to do that stuff.

Peak Warming Man said:

fsm said:

Australian fossil site is a vivid window into 15m-year-old rainforest

Likely to contain dozens of undiscovered species, the site is so well-preserved that the contents of fish stomachs and breathing apparatus of spiders can be seen

The Australian paleontologist Matthew McCurry was digging for Jurassic fossils when a farmer dropped by with news of something he’d seen in his paddock – a fossilised leaf in a piece of hard brown rock.

Fossil leaves are not usually anything to write home about, but the spot was close, so McCurry and his colleague Michael Frese went to take a look.

What they found in that dusty paddock near the New South Wales town of Gulgong five years ago has had paleontologists – at least those few who have known the secret – in awe.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jan/08/a-rosetta-stone-australian-fossil-site-is-a-vivid-window-into-15m-year-old-rainforest

Good find, I’d love to do that stuff.

I wanted to be a palaeontologist when I was a kid. Sadly it didn’t happen.

So Australia was crawling with giant spiders 15 million years ago… why am I not surprised.

Tamb said:

Peak Warming Man said:

fsm said:

Australian fossil site is a vivid window into 15m-year-old rainforest

Likely to contain dozens of undiscovered species, the site is so well-preserved that the contents of fish stomachs and breathing apparatus of spiders can be seen

The Australian paleontologist Matthew McCurry was digging for Jurassic fossils when a farmer dropped by with news of something he’d seen in his paddock – a fossilised leaf in a piece of hard brown rock.

Fossil leaves are not usually anything to write home about, but the spot was close, so McCurry and his colleague Michael Frese went to take a look.

What they found in that dusty paddock near the New South Wales town of Gulgong five years ago has had paleontologists – at least those few who have known the secret – in awe.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jan/08/a-rosetta-stone-australian-fossil-site-is-a-vivid-window-into-15m-year-old-rainforest

Good find, I’d love to do that stuff.

I wanted to be a palaeontologist when I was a kid. Sadly it didn’t happen.

Some people say they wouldn’t want to live thousands of years because eventually they’d tire of life but I think it would be great to be able to assign 100 year or so to each one of my interests. I could spend a century as a musician, a century in palaeontology, a century in linguistics, a century as a playwright etc

dv said:

Tamb said:

Peak Warming Man said:

Good find, I’d love to do that stuff.

I wanted to be a palaeontologist when I was a kid. Sadly it didn’t happen.

Some people say they wouldn’t want to live thousands of years because eventually they’d tire of life but I think it would be great to be able to assign 100 year or so to each one of my interests. I could spend a century as a musician, a century in palaeontology, a century in linguistics, a century as a playwright etc

Me too, I never get bored. But there are loads of things I’d like to do that one lifetime won’t permit.

Interesting, thanks. It’s extremely interesting that palynomorphs were preserved in the goethitic rocks. This is highly unusual. I’ll go read the original paper and see whether I can get to understand why.

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abm1406

Bubblecar said:

dv said:

Tamb said:

I wanted to be a palaeontologist when I was a kid. Sadly it didn’t happen.

Some people say they wouldn’t want to live thousands of years because eventually they’d tire of life but I think it would be great to be able to assign 100 year or so to each one of my interests. I could spend a century as a musician, a century in palaeontology, a century in linguistics, a century as a playwright etc

Me too, I never get bored. But there are loads of things I’d like to do that one lifetime won’t permit.

Palaeontology then Toxicology then nuclear physics.

Tamb said:

Peak Warming Man said:

fsm said:

Australian fossil site is a vivid window into 15m-year-old rainforest

Likely to contain dozens of undiscovered species, the site is so well-preserved that the contents of fish stomachs and breathing apparatus of spiders can be seen

The Australian paleontologist Matthew McCurry was digging for Jurassic fossils when a farmer dropped by with news of something he’d seen in his paddock – a fossilised leaf in a piece of hard brown rock.

Fossil leaves are not usually anything to write home about, but the spot was close, so McCurry and his colleague Michael Frese went to take a look.

What they found in that dusty paddock near the New South Wales town of Gulgong five years ago has had paleontologists – at least those few who have known the secret – in awe.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jan/08/a-rosetta-stone-australian-fossil-site-is-a-vivid-window-into-15m-year-old-rainforest

Good find, I’d love to do that stuff.

I wanted to be a palaeontologist when I was a kid. Sadly it didn’t happen.

In a former life I was lucky enough to be a palaeontologist, and taught paleopalynology at Sydney University one year.

:)

Michael V said:

Tamb said:

Peak Warming Man said:

Good find, I’d love to do that stuff.

I wanted to be a palaeontologist when I was a kid. Sadly it didn’t happen.

In a former life I was lucky enough to be a palaeontologist, and taught paleopalynology at Sydney University one year.

:)

That’s unusual. Normally people’s past lives see them as Royalty or mighty warriors.

Michael V said:

Tamb said:

Peak Warming Man said:

Good find, I’d love to do that stuff.

I wanted to be a palaeontologist when I was a kid. Sadly it didn’t happen.

In a former life I was lucky enough to be a palaeontologist, and taught paleopalynology at Sydney University one year.

:)

A man for all seasons.

Bubblecar said:

dv said:

Tamb said:

I wanted to be a palaeontologist when I was a kid. Sadly it didn’t happen.

Some people say they wouldn’t want to live thousands of years because eventually they’d tire of life but I think it would be great to be able to assign 100 year or so to each one of my interests. I could spend a century as a musician, a century in palaeontology, a century in linguistics, a century as a playwright etc

Me too, I never get bored. But there are loads of things I’d like to do that one lifetime won’t permit.

Even though I’ve probably got another 30 years alive I’m starting to feel my mortality.

Tamb said:

Michael V said:

Tamb said:

I wanted to be a palaeontologist when I was a kid. Sadly it didn’t happen.

In a former life I was lucky enough to be a palaeontologist, and taught paleopalynology at Sydney University one year.

:)

That’s unusual. Normally people’s past lives see them as Royalty or mighty warriors.

Ha!

:)

fsm said:

Australian fossil site is a vivid window into 15m-year-old rainforest

Likely to contain dozens of undiscovered species, the site is so well-preserved that the contents of fish stomachs and breathing apparatus of spiders can be seen

The Australian paleontologist Matthew McCurry was digging for Jurassic fossils when a farmer dropped by with news of something he’d seen in his paddock – a fossilised leaf in a piece of hard brown rock.

Fossil leaves are not usually anything to write home about, but the spot was close, so McCurry and his colleague Michael Frese went to take a look.

What they found in that dusty paddock near the New South Wales town of Gulgong five years ago has had paleontologists – at least those few who have known the secret – in awe.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jan/08/a-rosetta-stone-australian-fossil-site-is-a-vivid-window-into-15m-year-old-rainforest

Wow. They are good fossils.

Tamb said:

Peak Warming Man said:

fsm said:

Australian fossil site is a vivid window into 15m-year-old rainforest

Likely to contain dozens of undiscovered species, the site is so well-preserved that the contents of fish stomachs and breathing apparatus of spiders can be seen

The Australian paleontologist Matthew McCurry was digging for Jurassic fossils when a farmer dropped by with news of something he’d seen in his paddock – a fossilised leaf in a piece of hard brown rock.

Fossil leaves are not usually anything to write home about, but the spot was close, so McCurry and his colleague Michael Frese went to take a look.

What they found in that dusty paddock near the New South Wales town of Gulgong five years ago has had paleontologists – at least those few who have known the secret – in awe.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jan/08/a-rosetta-stone-australian-fossil-site-is-a-vivid-window-into-15m-year-old-rainforest

Good find, I’d love to do that stuff.

I wanted to be a palaeontologist when I was a kid. Sadly it didn’t happen.

My old man told me to pick something that I could earn money at. Archaeology and palaentology weren’t big on employment possibilities at the time. I chose watchmaking because the old man told me that nobody respected or paid a grease monkey properly.

Still never made any money.

roughbarked said:

Tamb said:

Peak Warming Man said:

Good find, I’d love to do that stuff.

I wanted to be a palaeontologist when I was a kid. Sadly it didn’t happen.

My old man told me to pick something that I could earn money at. Archaeology and palaentology weren’t big on employment possibilities at the time. I chose watchmaking because the old man told me that nobody respected or paid a grease monkey properly.

Still never made any money.

Smooth move!

now a days
the only fossil
in watchmaking
is You!

giggles – ducks
and runs for cover

Tamb said:

Bubblecar said:

dv said:

Some people say they wouldn’t want to live thousands of years because eventually they’d tire of life but I think it would be great to be able to assign 100 year or so to each one of my interests. I could spend a century as a musician, a century in palaeontology, a century in linguistics, a century as a playwright etc

Me too, I never get bored. But there are loads of things I’d like to do that one lifetime won’t permit.

Palaeontology then Toxicology then nuclear physics.

Same here but different order.
…
Love the Gulgong fossil site.
…
Good on you Michael V.

Michael V said:

Interesting, thanks. It’s extremely interesting that palynomorphs were preserved in the goethitic rocks. This is highly unusual. I’ll go read the original paper and see whether I can get to understand why.

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abm1406

It turns out that these are replacement fossils; remains were directly replaced by goethite, likely very soon after burial. No organic material remains. The preservation is exquisite. Have a look at the size of the scale bars in the images below!

“The detailed preservation of microfossils in this deposit has implications for palynological studies of other goethite deposits, as it demonstrates that scanning electron microscopy (SEM) scanning of oxidized, iron-rich sediments (previously deemed unproductive using standard palynological techniques) can, under certain circumstances, enable the identification of microfossils and aid in the dating of sites.”

This new discovery has serious implications in the world of paleopalynology. Serious implications.

HIGH-FIDELITY PRESERVATION IN FOSSILS FROM MCGRATHS FLAT.
(A and B) Microstructure of fossil feather (AM F.145096) showing melanosome preservation; (C and D) melanosomes preserved in the eye of a fossil fish (AM F.145094); (E and F) crane fly (Limoniidae cf. Tonnoirella) fossil (AM F.146583) with ommatidia of the eye preserved; (G and H) Lygodium leaf (AM F.146600) exhibiting the structure of the stomata. Scale bars, 1 μm (B and D), 10 μm (H), 50 μm (F), 0.5 mm (A), and 5 mm (C, E, and G).
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

MISCELLANEOUS MICROFOSSILS.
(A) Fungal hypha (AM F.146156.2); (B and C) yeast-like fungal cells (AM F.145847.1); (D) Dicellasporites sp. (AM F.145716.1); (E and F) lepidopteran wing scale (AM F.146089.1); (G) nematode (AM F.145716.2); (H) Rugulatisporites trophus (AM F.145717.1) showing the imprint of exine (arrowheads); and (I) Rugulatisporites sp. with both exine (arrowheads) and intine steinkern (S) (AM F.146155.1). Scale bars, 2 μm (F), 5 μm (D), 10 μm (H and I), 20 μm (A, B, and E), and 50 μm (C and G).
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

EVIDENCE OF BIOTIC INTERACTIONS.
(A and B) Stomach contents of fish (AM F.145094) showing that it fed predominantly on phantom midges (Chaoborus sp.); (C and D) a parasitic glochidium attached to the caudal fin of a fish (AM F.146607); (E and F) pollen preserved on the head of a sawfly (AM F.145093); and (G and H) a phoretic nematode attached to the body of a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae: Coleoptera; AM F.145098). Scale bars, 25 μm (F), 100 μm (H), 250 μm (B and D), 1 mm (C and E), 5 mm (G), and 10 mm (A).
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Michael V said:

Michael V said:

Interesting, thanks. It’s extremely interesting that palynomorphs were preserved in the goethitic rocks. This is highly unusual. I’ll go read the original paper and see whether I can get to understand why.

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abm1406

It turns out that these are replacement fossils; remains were directly replaced by goethite, likely very soon after burial. No organic material remains. The preservation is exquisite. Have a look at the size of the scale bars in the images below!

“The detailed preservation of microfossils in this deposit has implications for palynological studies of other goethite deposits, as it demonstrates that scanning electron microscopy (SEM) scanning of oxidized, iron-rich sediments (previously deemed unproductive using standard palynological techniques) can, under certain circumstances, enable the identification of microfossils and aid in the dating of sites.”

This new discovery has serious implications in the world of paleopalynology. Serious implications.

HIGH-FIDELITY PRESERVATION IN FOSSILS FROM MCGRATHS FLAT.
(A and B) Microstructure of fossil feather (AM F.145096) showing melanosome preservation; (C and D) melanosomes preserved in the eye of a fossil fish (AM F.145094); (E and F) crane fly (Limoniidae cf. Tonnoirella) fossil (AM F.146583) with ommatidia of the eye preserved; (G and H) Lygodium leaf (AM F.146600) exhibiting the structure of the stomata. Scale bars, 1 μm (B and D), 10 μm (H), 50 μm (F), 0.5 mm (A), and 5 mm (C, E, and G).
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

MISCELLANEOUS MICROFOSSILS.
(A) Fungal hypha (AM F.146156.2); (B and C) yeast-like fungal cells (AM F.145847.1); (D) Dicellasporites sp. (AM F.145716.1); (E and F) lepidopteran wing scale (AM F.146089.1); (G) nematode (AM F.145716.2); (H) Rugulatisporites trophus (AM F.145717.1) showing the imprint of exine (arrowheads); and (I) Rugulatisporites sp. with both exine (arrowheads) and intine steinkern (S) (AM F.146155.1). Scale bars, 2 μm (F), 5 μm (D), 10 μm (H and I), 20 μm (A, B, and E), and 50 μm (C and G).
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

EVIDENCE OF BIOTIC INTERACTIONS.
(A and B) Stomach contents of fish (AM F.145094) showing that it fed predominantly on phantom midges (Chaoborus sp.); (C and D) a parasitic glochidium attached to the caudal fin of a fish (AM F.146607); (E and F) pollen preserved on the head of a sawfly (AM F.145093); and (G and H) a phoretic nematode attached to the body of a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae: Coleoptera; AM F.145098). Scale bars, 25 μm (F), 100 μm (H), 250 μm (B and D), 1 mm (C and E), 5 mm (G), and 10 mm (A).
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Copying the images does not do them justice. It’s worth looking at the high resolution images attached to the paper. The preservation really is quite extraordinary.

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abm1406

Michael V said:

Michael V said:

Interesting, thanks. It’s extremely interesting that palynomorphs were preserved in the goethitic rocks. This is highly unusual. I’ll go read the original paper and see whether I can get to understand why.

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abm1406

It turns out that these are replacement fossils; remains were directly replaced by goethite, likely very soon after burial. No organic material remains. The preservation is exquisite. Have a look at the size of the scale bars in the images below!

“The detailed preservation of microfossils in this deposit has implications for palynological studies of other goethite deposits, as it demonstrates that scanning electron microscopy (SEM) scanning of oxidized, iron-rich sediments (previously deemed unproductive using standard palynological techniques) can, under certain circumstances, enable the identification of microfossils and aid in the dating of sites.”

This new discovery has serious implications in the world of paleopalynology. Serious implications.

HIGH-FIDELITY PRESERVATION IN FOSSILS FROM MCGRATHS FLAT.
(A and B) Microstructure of fossil feather (AM F.145096) showing melanosome preservation; (C and D) melanosomes preserved in the eye of a fossil fish (AM F.145094); (E and F) crane fly (Limoniidae cf. Tonnoirella) fossil (AM F.146583) with ommatidia of the eye preserved; (G and H) Lygodium leaf (AM F.146600) exhibiting the structure of the stomata. Scale bars, 1 μm (B and D), 10 μm (H), 50 μm (F), 0.5 mm (A), and 5 mm (C, E, and G).
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

MISCELLANEOUS MICROFOSSILS.
(A) Fungal hypha (AM F.146156.2); (B and C) yeast-like fungal cells (AM F.145847.1); (D) Dicellasporites sp. (AM F.145716.1); (E and F) lepidopteran wing scale (AM F.146089.1); (G) nematode (AM F.145716.2); (H) Rugulatisporites trophus (AM F.145717.1) showing the imprint of exine (arrowheads); and (I) Rugulatisporites sp. with both exine (arrowheads) and intine steinkern (S) (AM F.146155.1). Scale bars, 2 μm (F), 5 μm (D), 10 μm (H and I), 20 μm (A, B, and E), and 50 μm (C and G).
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

EVIDENCE OF BIOTIC INTERACTIONS.
(A and B) Stomach contents of fish (AM F.145094) showing that it fed predominantly on phantom midges (Chaoborus sp.); (C and D) a parasitic glochidium attached to the caudal fin of a fish (AM F.146607); (E and F) pollen preserved on the head of a sawfly (AM F.145093); and (G and H) a phoretic nematode attached to the body of a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae: Coleoptera; AM F.145098). Scale bars, 25 μm (F), 100 μm (H), 250 μm (B and D), 1 mm (C and E), 5 mm (G), and 10 mm (A).
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

They’re awesome/

Michael V said:

Michael V said:

Michael V said:

Interesting, thanks. It’s extremely interesting that palynomorphs were preserved in the goethitic rocks. This is highly unusual. I’ll go read the original paper and see whether I can get to understand why.

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abm1406

It turns out that these are replacement fossils; remains were directly replaced by goethite, likely very soon after burial. No organic material remains. The preservation is exquisite. Have a look at the size of the scale bars in the images below!

“The detailed preservation of microfossils in this deposit has implications for palynological studies of other goethite deposits, as it demonstrates that scanning electron microscopy (SEM) scanning of oxidized, iron-rich sediments (previously deemed unproductive using standard palynological techniques) can, under certain circumstances, enable the identification of microfossils and aid in the dating of sites.”

This new discovery has serious implications in the world of paleopalynology. Serious implications.

HIGH-FIDELITY PRESERVATION IN FOSSILS FROM MCGRATHS FLAT.
(A and B) Microstructure of fossil feather (AM F.145096) showing melanosome preservation; (C and D) melanosomes preserved in the eye of a fossil fish (AM F.145094); (E and F) crane fly (Limoniidae cf. Tonnoirella) fossil (AM F.146583) with ommatidia of the eye preserved; (G and H) Lygodium leaf (AM F.146600) exhibiting the structure of the stomata. Scale bars, 1 μm (B and D), 10 μm (H), 50 μm (F), 0.5 mm (A), and 5 mm (C, E, and G).
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

MISCELLANEOUS MICROFOSSILS.
(A) Fungal hypha (AM F.146156.2); (B and C) yeast-like fungal cells (AM F.145847.1); (D) Dicellasporites sp. (AM F.145716.1); (E and F) lepidopteran wing scale (AM F.146089.1); (G) nematode (AM F.145716.2); (H) Rugulatisporites trophus (AM F.145717.1) showing the imprint of exine (arrowheads); and (I) Rugulatisporites sp. with both exine (arrowheads) and intine steinkern (S) (AM F.146155.1). Scale bars, 2 μm (F), 5 μm (D), 10 μm (H and I), 20 μm (A, B, and E), and 50 μm (C and G).
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

EVIDENCE OF BIOTIC INTERACTIONS.
(A and B) Stomach contents of fish (AM F.145094) showing that it fed predominantly on phantom midges (Chaoborus sp.); (C and D) a parasitic glochidium attached to the caudal fin of a fish (AM F.146607); (E and F) pollen preserved on the head of a sawfly (AM F.145093); and (G and H) a phoretic nematode attached to the body of a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae: Coleoptera; AM F.145098). Scale bars, 25 μm (F), 100 μm (H), 250 μm (B and D), 1 mm (C and E), 5 mm (G), and 10 mm (A).
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Copying the images does not do them justice. It’s worth looking at the high resolution images attached to the paper. The preservation really is quite extraordinary.

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abm1406

Hey PF, did you see this?

Amazing.

Michael V said:

Michael V said:

Michael V said:

It turns out that these are replacement fossils; remains were directly replaced by goethite, likely very soon after burial. No organic material remains. The preservation is exquisite. Have a look at the size of the scale bars in the images below!

“The detailed preservation of microfossils in this deposit has implications for palynological studies of other goethite deposits, as it demonstrates that scanning electron microscopy (SEM) scanning of oxidized, iron-rich sediments (previously deemed unproductive using standard palynological techniques) can, under certain circumstances, enable the identification of microfossils and aid in the dating of sites.”

This new discovery has serious implications in the world of paleopalynology. Serious implications.

HIGH-FIDELITY PRESERVATION IN FOSSILS FROM MCGRATHS FLAT.
(A and B) Microstructure of fossil feather (AM F.145096) showing melanosome preservation; (C and D) melanosomes preserved in the eye of a fossil fish (AM F.145094); (E and F) crane fly (Limoniidae cf. Tonnoirella) fossil (AM F.146583) with ommatidia of the eye preserved; (G and H) Lygodium leaf (AM F.146600) exhibiting the structure of the stomata. Scale bars, 1 μm (B and D), 10 μm (H), 50 μm (F), 0.5 mm (A), and 5 mm (C, E, and G).
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

MISCELLANEOUS MICROFOSSILS.
(A) Fungal hypha (AM F.146156.2); (B and C) yeast-like fungal cells (AM F.145847.1); (D) Dicellasporites sp. (AM F.145716.1); (E and F) lepidopteran wing scale (AM F.146089.1); (G) nematode (AM F.145716.2); (H) Rugulatisporites trophus (AM F.145717.1) showing the imprint of exine (arrowheads); and (I) Rugulatisporites sp. with both exine (arrowheads) and intine steinkern (S) (AM F.146155.1). Scale bars, 2 μm (F), 5 μm (D), 10 μm (H and I), 20 μm (A, B, and E), and 50 μm (C and G).
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

EVIDENCE OF BIOTIC INTERACTIONS.
(A and B) Stomach contents of fish (AM F.145094) showing that it fed predominantly on phantom midges (Chaoborus sp.); (C and D) a parasitic glochidium attached to the caudal fin of a fish (AM F.146607); (E and F) pollen preserved on the head of a sawfly (AM F.145093); and (G and H) a phoretic nematode attached to the body of a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae: Coleoptera; AM F.145098). Scale bars, 25 μm (F), 100 μm (H), 250 μm (B and D), 1 mm (C and E), 5 mm (G), and 10 mm (A).
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Copying the images does not do them justice. It’s worth looking at the high resolution images attached to the paper. The preservation really is quite extraordinary.

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abm1406

Hey PF, did you see this?

Amazing.

He’s probably gone to bed as he’s not drinking :)

sibeen said:

Michael V said:

Michael V said:

Copying the images does not do them justice. It’s worth looking at the high resolution images attached to the paper. The preservation really is quite extraordinary.

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abm1406

Hey PF, did you see this?

Amazing.

He’s probably gone to bed as he’s not drinking :)

That “He” is not me.

Michael V said:

Michael V said:

Michael V said:

It turns out that these are replacement fossils; remains were directly replaced by goethite, likely very soon after burial. No organic material remains. The preservation is exquisite. Have a look at the size of the scale bars in the images below!

“The detailed preservation of microfossils in this deposit has implications for palynological studies of other goethite deposits, as it demonstrates that scanning electron microscopy (SEM) scanning of oxidized, iron-rich sediments (previously deemed unproductive using standard palynological techniques) can, under certain circumstances, enable the identification of microfossils and aid in the dating of sites.”

This new discovery has serious implications in the world of paleopalynology. Serious implications.

HIGH-FIDELITY PRESERVATION IN FOSSILS FROM MCGRATHS FLAT.
(A and B) Microstructure of fossil feather (AM F.145096) showing melanosome preservation; (C and D) melanosomes preserved in the eye of a fossil fish (AM F.145094); (E and F) crane fly (Limoniidae cf. Tonnoirella) fossil (AM F.146583) with ommatidia of the eye preserved; (G and H) Lygodium leaf (AM F.146600) exhibiting the structure of the stomata. Scale bars, 1 μm (B and D), 10 μm (H), 50 μm (F), 0.5 mm (A), and 5 mm (C, E, and G).
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MISCELLANEOUS MICROFOSSILS.
(A) Fungal hypha (AM F.146156.2); (B and C) yeast-like fungal cells (AM F.145847.1); (D) Dicellasporites sp. (AM F.145716.1); (E and F) lepidopteran wing scale (AM F.146089.1); (G) nematode (AM F.145716.2); (H) Rugulatisporites trophus (AM F.145717.1) showing the imprint of exine (arrowheads); and (I) Rugulatisporites sp. with both exine (arrowheads) and intine steinkern (S) (AM F.146155.1). Scale bars, 2 μm (F), 5 μm (D), 10 μm (H and I), 20 μm (A, B, and E), and 50 μm (C and G).
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EVIDENCE OF BIOTIC INTERACTIONS.
(A and B) Stomach contents of fish (AM F.145094) showing that it fed predominantly on phantom midges (Chaoborus sp.); (C and D) a parasitic glochidium attached to the caudal fin of a fish (AM F.146607); (E and F) pollen preserved on the head of a sawfly (AM F.145093); and (G and H) a phoretic nematode attached to the body of a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae: Coleoptera; AM F.145098). Scale bars, 25 μm (F), 100 μm (H), 250 μm (B and D), 1 mm (C and E), 5 mm (G), and 10 mm (A).
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Copying the images does not do them justice. It’s worth looking at the high resolution images attached to the paper. The preservation really is quite extraordinary.

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abm1406

Hey PF, did you see this?

Amazing.

Yes I did and a most surprising outcome in ironstone. Paleontology is progressing in leaps and bounds.

PermeateFree said:

Michael V said:

Michael V said:

Copying the images does not do them justice. It’s worth looking at the high resolution images attached to the paper. The preservation really is quite extraordinary.

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abm1406

Hey PF, did you see this?

Amazing.

Yes I did and a most surprising outcome in ironstone. Paleontology is progressing in leaps and bounds.

Yep.

And I castigate myself severely for not recognising the potential in the 1990s.

sigh

fsm said:

Australian fossil site is a vivid window into 15m-year-old rainforest

Likely to contain dozens of undiscovered species, the site is so well-preserved that the contents of fish stomachs and breathing apparatus of spiders can be seen

The Australian paleontologist Matthew McCurry was digging for Jurassic fossils when a farmer dropped by with news of something he’d seen in his paddock – a fossilised leaf in a piece of hard brown rock.

Fossil leaves are not usually anything to write home about, but the spot was close, so McCurry and his colleague Michael Frese went to take a look.

What they found in that dusty paddock near the New South Wales town of Gulgong five years ago has had paleontologists – at least those few who have known the secret – in awe.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jan/08/a-rosetta-stone-australian-fossil-site-is-a-vivid-window-into-15m-year-old-rainforest

That’s really cool

Cymek said:

fsm said:

Australian fossil site is a vivid window into 15m-year-old rainforest

Likely to contain dozens of undiscovered species, the site is so well-preserved that the contents of fish stomachs and breathing apparatus of spiders can be seen

The Australian paleontologist Matthew McCurry was digging for Jurassic fossils when a farmer dropped by with news of something he’d seen in his paddock – a fossilised leaf in a piece of hard brown rock.

Fossil leaves are not usually anything to write home about, but the spot was close, so McCurry and his colleague Michael Frese went to take a look.

What they found in that dusty paddock near the New South Wales town of Gulgong five years ago has had paleontologists – at least those few who have known the secret – in awe.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jan/08/a-rosetta-stone-australian-fossil-site-is-a-vivid-window-into-15m-year-old-rainforest

That’s really cool

Just imagine, giant redbacks.