Macquarie University
Browse

Isolating taxon specific biomarkers from fossil bilaterians

Download (7.55 MB)
thesis
posted on 2022-10-13, 23:24 authored by Leylâ Eileen Janice Kabaran

Biomarkers are fossilised lipids that can provide unique information regarding extinct organisms. Taxon-specific-biomarkers can assist in phylogenetic reconstruction of extinct taxa, and also increase the accuracy of molecular clock calibration. Whilst there has been extensive biomarker analysis of ancient unicellular organisms, research into their metazoan counterparts is sparse. This project aims to isolate taxon-specific-biomarkers from fossil representatives of three bilaterian super-phyla: Deutrostomia, Ecdysozoa, and Lophotrochozoa. This project also attempts to decipher the depositional and diagenetic pathways for fossil and rock samples from the Lower Ordovician Emanuel Formation, Western Australia. This research revealed aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon profiles from bilaterian fossils using flash (curie-point) pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The hydrocarbons isolated include n-alkanes (C6-C21), n-alkenes, and naphthalene and phenanthrene derivatives. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of fossil and rock samples detected the presence of degraded biomacromolecules. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of rock samples enabled description of the depositional environment, overall organic matter input, and degree of thermal alteration for the Emanuel Formation. Whilst isolation of taxon-specific biomarkers remains elusive, these results show that it is possible to obtain hydrocarbon profiles from Ordovician animal fossils. Hence it is possible to obtain novel information regarding animal biochemistry otherwise not recorded in the fossil record.

History

Table of Contents

1. Introduction -- 2. Geological setting -- 3. Materials and methods -- 4. Results -- 5. Discussion -- 6. Conclusions -- 7. Appendix

Notes

Submitted as part of the requirements for completion of the degree of Master of Research

Awarding Institution

Macquarie University

Degree Type

Thesis MRes

Degree

Thesis (MRes), Macquarie University, Faculty of Science and Engineering, 2021

Department, Centre or School

Department of Biological Scicences

Year of Award

2021

Principal Supervisor

Glenn Brock

Additional Supervisor 1

Simon George

Rights

Copyright: Leylâ Eileen Janice Kabaran Copyright disclaimer: https://www.mq.edu.au/copyright-disclaimer

Language

English

Extent

78 pages

Usage metrics

    Macquarie University Theses

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC