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Intracellular bound chlorophyll residues identify 1 Gyr-old fossils as eukaryotic algae

Author

Listed:
  • Marie Catherine Sforna

    (UR Astrobiology, University of Liège)

  • Corentin C. Loron

    (UR Astrobiology, University of Liège)

  • Catherine F. Demoulin

    (UR Astrobiology, University of Liège)

  • Camille François

    (UR Astrobiology, University of Liège
    Commission for the Geological Map of the World)

  • Yohan Cornet

    (UR Astrobiology, University of Liège)

  • Yannick J. Lara

    (UR Astrobiology, University of Liège)

  • Daniel Grolimund

    (Paul Scherrer Institut, Swiss Light Source)

  • Dario Ferreira Sanchez

    (Paul Scherrer Institut, Swiss Light Source)

  • Kadda Medjoubi

    (Synchrotron Soleil)

  • Andrea Somogyi

    (Synchrotron Soleil)

  • Ahmed Addad

    (Université Lille 1 - Sciences et Technologies)

  • Alexandre Fadel

    (Université Lille 1 - Sciences et Technologies)

  • Philippe Compère

    (University of Liège)

  • Daniel Baudet

    (Royal Museum for Central Africa)

  • Jochen J. Brocks

    (The Australian National University)

  • Emmanuelle J. Javaux

    (UR Astrobiology, University of Liège)

Abstract

The acquisition of photosynthesis is a fundamental step in the evolution of eukaryotes. However, few phototrophic organisms are unambiguously recognized in the Precambrian record. The in situ detection of metabolic byproducts in individual microfossils is the key for the direct identification of their metabolisms. Here, we report a new integrative methodology using synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence and absorption. We evidence bound nickel-geoporphyrins moieties in low-grade metamorphic rocks, preserved in situ within cells of a ~1 Gyr-old multicellular eukaryote, Arctacellularia tetragonala. We identify these moieties as chlorophyll derivatives, indicating that A. tetragonala was a phototrophic eukaryote, one of the first unambiguous algae. This new approach, applicable to overmature rocks, creates a strong new proxy to understand the evolution of phototrophy and diversification of early ecosystems.

Suggested Citation

  • Marie Catherine Sforna & Corentin C. Loron & Catherine F. Demoulin & Camille François & Yohan Cornet & Yannick J. Lara & Daniel Grolimund & Dario Ferreira Sanchez & Kadda Medjoubi & Andrea Somogyi & A, 2022. "Intracellular bound chlorophyll residues identify 1 Gyr-old fossils as eukaryotic algae," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-27810-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27810-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Zheng Hou & Xiaoya Ma & Xuan Shi & Xi Li & Lingxiao Yang & Shuhai Xiao & Olivier Clerck & Frederik Leliaert & Bojian Zhong, 2022. "Phylotranscriptomic insights into a Mesoproterozoic–Neoproterozoic origin and early radiation of green seaweeds (Ulvophyceae)," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.

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