Unlocking preservation bias in the amber insect fossil record through experimental decay
Abstract
Fossils entombed in amber are a unique resource for reconstructing forest ecosystems, and resolving relationships of modern taxa. Such fossils are famous for their perfect, life-like appearance. However, preservation quality is vast with many sites showing only cuticular preservation, or no fossils. The taphonomic processes that control this range are largely unknown; as such, we know little about potential bias in this important record. Here we employ actualistic experiments, using, fruit flies and modern tree resin to determine whether resin type, gut microbiota, and dehydration prior to entombment affects decay. We used solid phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME GC-MS) to confirm distinct tree resin chemistry; gut microbiota of flies was modified using antibiotics and categorized though sequencing. Decay was assessed using phase contrast synchrotron tomography. Resin type demonstrates a significant control on decay rate. The composition of the gut microbiota was also influential, with minor changes in composition affecting decay rate. Dehydration prior to entombment, contrary to expectations, enhanced decay. Our analyses show that there is potential significant bias in the amber fossil record, especially between sites with different resin types where ecological completeness and preservational fidelity are likely affected.
- Authors:
-
[1];
- Univ. of Leicester (United Kingdom); Univ. of Bonn (Germany)
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Univ. of Leicester (United Kingdom); John Moores Univ., Liverpool (United Kingdom)
- Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
- Univ. of Leicester (United Kingdom)
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1473585
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC02-06CH11357
- Resource Type:
- Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- PLoS ONE
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 13; Journal Issue: 4; Journal ID: ISSN 1932-6203
- Publisher:
- Public Library of Science
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Citation Formats
McCoy, Victoria E., Soriano, Carmen, Pegoraro, Mirko, Luo, Ting, Boom, Arnoud, Foxman, Betsy, and Gabbott, Sarah E. Unlocking preservation bias in the amber insect fossil record through experimental decay. United States: N. p., 2018.
Web. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0195482.
McCoy, Victoria E., Soriano, Carmen, Pegoraro, Mirko, Luo, Ting, Boom, Arnoud, Foxman, Betsy, & Gabbott, Sarah E. Unlocking preservation bias in the amber insect fossil record through experimental decay. United States. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0195482
McCoy, Victoria E., Soriano, Carmen, Pegoraro, Mirko, Luo, Ting, Boom, Arnoud, Foxman, Betsy, and Gabbott, Sarah E. Thu .
"Unlocking preservation bias in the amber insect fossil record through experimental decay". United States. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0195482. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1473585.
@article{osti_1473585,
title = {Unlocking preservation bias in the amber insect fossil record through experimental decay},
author = {McCoy, Victoria E. and Soriano, Carmen and Pegoraro, Mirko and Luo, Ting and Boom, Arnoud and Foxman, Betsy and Gabbott, Sarah E.},
abstractNote = {Fossils entombed in amber are a unique resource for reconstructing forest ecosystems, and resolving relationships of modern taxa. Such fossils are famous for their perfect, life-like appearance. However, preservation quality is vast with many sites showing only cuticular preservation, or no fossils. The taphonomic processes that control this range are largely unknown; as such, we know little about potential bias in this important record. Here we employ actualistic experiments, using, fruit flies and modern tree resin to determine whether resin type, gut microbiota, and dehydration prior to entombment affects decay. We used solid phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME GC-MS) to confirm distinct tree resin chemistry; gut microbiota of flies was modified using antibiotics and categorized though sequencing. Decay was assessed using phase contrast synchrotron tomography. Resin type demonstrates a significant control on decay rate. The composition of the gut microbiota was also influential, with minor changes in composition affecting decay rate. Dehydration prior to entombment, contrary to expectations, enhanced decay. Our analyses show that there is potential significant bias in the amber fossil record, especially between sites with different resin types where ecological completeness and preservational fidelity are likely affected.},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0195482},
journal = {PLoS ONE},
number = 4,
volume = 13,
place = {United States},
year = {2018},
month = {4}
}
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