REMAINS OF MICROORGANISMS AND EVIDENCE OF THEIR VITAL FUNCTIONS IN SHELLS OF ANCIENT BRACHIOPODS

Abstract

It has been shown that the Cambrian biota contains, in addition to long-known skeletal remains, a great number of soft-bodied microscopic organisms. They are represented by the fossilized remains of bacteria, boring algae, and actinomycetes, which are very similar to their modern analogues. Occasionally, brachiopod shells bear bite marks and boring holes caused by predators or parasites.