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Resistant biomacromolecules in the fossil record1
P. F. VAN BERGEN,
M. E. COLLINSON,
D. E. G. BRIGGS,
J. W. DE LEEUW,
A. C. SCOTT,
R. P. EVERSHED,
P. FINCH,
P. F. VAN BERGEN
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TR
Search for more papers by this authorM. E. COLLINSON
Department of Geology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX
Search for more papers by this authorD. E. G. BRIGGS
Biogeochemistry Research Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TR
Department of Geology, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TR
Search for more papers by this authorJ. W. DE LEEUW
Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), PO Box 59, 1790 AB, Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
Search for more papers by this authorA. C. SCOTT
Department of Geology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX
Search for more papers by this authorR. P. EVERSHED
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TR
Biogeochemistry Research Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TR
Search for more papers by this authorP. FINCH
Chemistry Unit, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX
Search for more papers by this authorP. F. VAN BERGEN,
M. E. COLLINSON,
D. E. G. BRIGGS,
J. W. DE LEEUW,
A. C. SCOTT,
R. P. EVERSHED,
P. FINCH,
P. F. VAN BERGEN
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TR
Search for more papers by this authorM. E. COLLINSON
Department of Geology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX
Search for more papers by this authorD. E. G. BRIGGS
Biogeochemistry Research Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TR
Department of Geology, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TR
Search for more papers by this authorJ. W. DE LEEUW
Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), PO Box 59, 1790 AB, Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
Search for more papers by this authorA. C. SCOTT
Department of Geology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX
Search for more papers by this authorR. P. EVERSHED
School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TR
Biogeochemistry Research Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TR
Search for more papers by this authorP. FINCH
Chemistry Unit, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX
Search for more papers by this author†
This paper is based on a lecture presented by D. E. G. Briggs at a symposium on ‘Plant and Evolution’ held on 18 May 1995 in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Royal Botanical Society of The Netherlands.
SUMMARY
This paper reviews the occurrence of biomacromolecules in fossil plants and animals. The range of techniques used in their release, preparation, microscopy and chemical analysis is described, as is the role of decay experiments in their investigation. The major plant parts that include resistant macromolecules are discussed: algal cell walls, cuticles, spore and pollen walls, propagules, periderm, secondary xylem, and secretions. The chemistry of animal cuticles preserved in the fossil record is briefly considered; they may incorporate macromolecules of plant origin during diagenesis. Some future directions for research are outlined: characterization of sporopollenin, characterization of extant and extinct tissues and organs, chemosystematic investigations, taphonomic processes, investigation of biomacromolecules in animal fossils.
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