Modern freshwater microbialite analogues for ancient dendritic reef structures

摘要: Microbialites are organosedimentary structures that can be constructed by a variety of metabolically distinct taxa. Consequently, microbialite abound in the fossil record, although exact nature biogeochemical processes produced them is often unknown. One such class ancient calcareous structures, Epiphyton and Girvanella, appear great abundance during Early Cambrian. Together with Archeocyathids, stromatolites thrombolites, they formed major Cambrian reef belts. To large extent, Middle to Late reefs similar Precambrian reefs, exception latter, including terminal Proterozoic do not contain or Girvanella. Here we report discovery Pavilion Lake, British Columbia, Canada, distinctive assemblage freshwater calcite microbialites, some which display microstructures fabrics displayed The morphologies modern microbialites vary depth, dendritic deep water (> 30 m) mounds indicate may analogues for structures. These thus provide an opportunity study interactions produce those enigmatic