[en] Reports of diverse vermiform and peloidal structures in Neoproterozoic to Mesozoic open marine to peritidal carbonates include cases interpreted to be keratose sponges. However, living keratose sponges have elaborate, highly elastic skeletons of spongin (a mesoscopic end-member of a hierarchical assemblage of collagenous structures) lacking spicules, thus have poor preservation potential in contrast to the more easily fossilized spiculebearing sponges. Such interpreted fossil keratose sponges comprise diverse layered, network, amalgamated, granular and variegated microfabrics of narrow curved, branching, vesicular–cellular to irregular areas of calcite cement, thought to represent former spongin, embedded in microcrystalline to peloidal carbonate. Interpreted keratose sponges are presented in publications almost entirely in two-dimensional (thin section) studies, usually displayed normal to bedding, lacking mesoscopic three-dimensional views in support of a sponge body fossil. For these structures to be keratose sponges critically requires conversion of the spongin skeleton into the calcite cement component, under shallow-burial conditions and this must have occurred prior to compaction. However, there is no robust petrographic–geochemical evidence that the fine-grained carbonate component originated from sponge mummification (automicritic body fossils via calcification of structural tissue components) because in the majority of cases the fine-grained component is homogenous and thus likely to be deposited sediment. Thus, despite numerous studies, verification of fossil keratose sponges is lacking. Although some may be sponges, all can be otherwise explained. Alternatives include:
(i) meiofaunal activity; (ii) layered microbial (spongiostromate) accretion; (iii) sedimentary peloidal to clotted micrites; (iv) fluid escape and capture resulting in bird’s eye to vuggy porosities; and (v) moulds of siliceous sponge spicules. Uncertainty of keratose sponge identification is fundamental and far-reaching for understanding: (i) microfacies and diagenesis where (ii) fossil assemblages; and (iii) wider aspects of origins of animal clades, sponge ecology, evolution and the systemic recovery from mass extinctions. Thus, alternative explanations must be considered.
Disciplines :
Earth sciences & physical geography
Author, co-author :
Neuweiler, Fritz; Département de géologie et de génie géologique Université Laval 1065, av. de la Médecine Québec QC G1V 0A6 Canada
Kershaw, Stephen ; Department of Life Sciences Brunel University Uxbridge UB8 3PH UK ; Earth Sciences Department The Natural History Museum Cromwell Road London SW7 5BD UK
Boulvain, Frédéric ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de géologie > Pétrologie sédimentaire
Matysik, Michał; Institute of Geological Sciences Jagiellonian University Gronostajowa 3a 30‐387 Kraków Poland
Sendino, Consuelo; Earth Sciences Department The Natural History Museum Cromwell Road London SW7 5BD UK
McMenamin, Mark ; Department of Geology and Geography Mount Holyoke College 50 College Street South Hadley MA 01075 USA
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