{"id":94,"date":"2018-03-07T13:33:06","date_gmt":"2018-03-07T12:33:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/?page_id=94"},"modified":"2020-10-06T15:05:29","modified_gmt":"2020-10-06T13:05:29","slug":"exceptional-preservation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/page-exemple\/exceptional-preservation\/","title":{"rendered":"Exceptional Preservation"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Research Overview<\/h4>\n<p>Normally fossils are thought of as shells and bones preserved in sediments. But many fossils preserve much more than just these hard mineralized parts, even allowing us to find fossils of completely soft-bodied organisms. The fossil record now contains an astonishing record of eyes, guts, skin, internal organs, and even nervous systems and brains. Many of the fossils that we examine in the ANOM lab are exceptionally preserved fossils with soft tissues from the great Lagerst\u00e4tten fossil sites of the Ediacaran and Cambrian Periods. This include famous fossil localities such as the Burgess Shale from the Middle Cambrian of Canada, as well as equivalent fossil sites from China (Chengjiang), Australia (Emu Bay Shale), Morocco (Fezouata), and United States (Pioche, Wheeler). Fossil sites from the Ediacaran Period are also noted for their exceptional quality of preservation with complex soft bodied organisms known as rangeomorphs found in exquisite detail all around the world.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-94 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-medium'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Aysheaia-USNM-for-web.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Aysheaia-USNM-for-web-300x180.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-393\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Aysheaia-USNM-for-web-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Aysheaia-USNM-for-web-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Aysheaia-USNM-for-web-1024x615.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Aysheaia-USNM-for-web.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-393'>\n\t\t\t\tAysheaia, a worm-like animal with annulated legs, from the Burgess Shale, Canada. \n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Leanchoilia-Burgess-for-web.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"173\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Leanchoilia-Burgess-for-web-300x173.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-395\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Leanchoilia-Burgess-for-web-300x173.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Leanchoilia-Burgess-for-web-768x443.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Leanchoilia-Burgess-for-web-1024x590.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Leanchoilia-Burgess-for-web.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-395'>\n\t\t\t\tLeanchoilia, an early arthropod from the Burgess Shale, with three-dimensional preserved gut glands.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/USNM-Hurdia.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"131\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/USNM-Hurdia-300x131.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-307\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/USNM-Hurdia-300x131.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/USNM-Hurdia-768x336.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/USNM-Hurdia-1024x448.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/USNM-Hurdia.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-307'>\n\t\t\t\tHurdia victoria from the Burgess Shale, with well-preserved gills.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Opabinia-USNM-155600A-for-web-1.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"107\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Opabinia-USNM-155600A-for-web-1-300x107.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Opabinia-USNM-155600A-for-web-1-300x107.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Opabinia-USNM-155600A-for-web-1-768x273.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Opabinia-USNM-155600A-for-web-1-1024x364.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Opabinia-USNM-155600A-for-web-1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/A-briggsi-for-web.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"106\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/A-briggsi-for-web-300x106.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/A-briggsi-for-web-300x106.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/A-briggsi-for-web-768x272.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/A-briggsi-for-web-1024x362.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/A-briggsi-for-web.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-390'>\n\t\t\t\tAnomalocaris briggsi appendage from the Emu Bay Shale, Australia.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/03\/slider_4.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"131\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/03\/slider_4-300x131.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/03\/slider_4-300x131.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/03\/slider_4-768x336.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/03\/slider_4-1024x448.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/03\/slider_4.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-286'>\n\t\t\t\tAnomalocaris appendage from the Wheeler Shale, USA.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Eldoniids-from-Chengjiang-.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"268\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Eldoniids-from-Chengjiang--300x268.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-394\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Eldoniids-from-Chengjiang--300x268.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Eldoniids-from-Chengjiang--768x685.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Eldoniids-from-Chengjiang--1024x914.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Eldoniids-from-Chengjiang-.jpg 1345w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-394'>\n\t\t\t\tEldoniid from the Chengjiang Biota, China.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Anomalocaris-saron-for-web.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"217\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Anomalocaris-saron-for-web-217x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Anomalocaris-saron-for-web-217x300.jpg 217w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Anomalocaris-saron-for-web-768x1063.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Anomalocaris-saron-for-web-740x1024.jpg 740w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Anomalocaris-saron-for-web.jpg 867w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 217px) 100vw, 217px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-392'>\n\t\t\t\tAnomalocaris saron, a Radiodonta from the Chengjiang Biota, China.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Amplectobelua-for-web.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"278\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Amplectobelua-for-web-278x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-391\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Amplectobelua-for-web-278x300.jpg 278w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Amplectobelua-for-web-768x830.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Amplectobelua-for-web-948x1024.jpg 948w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Amplectobelua-for-web.jpg 1111w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 278px) 100vw, 278px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-391'>\n\t\t\t\tAmplectobelua symbrachiata appendages from the Chengjiang Biota, China.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>Our team has developed a strong interest in how these fossils come to be preserved and much of our research focusses on the science of fossil preservation \u2013 \u201cTaphonomy\u201d \u2013 which comes from the Greek meaning \u201claws of the grave\u201d. In order to understand how exceptional fossils with extraordinary characters form we examine the sediments that they are found in, conduct mapping fieldwork to understand the context under which the rocks formed, examine the chemistry of the rocks and the fossils so we can understand what minerals are preserving the tissues, and undertake experiments in the laboratory to understand how organisms decay. All of our active research projects include taphonomic work of this kind in some way.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-94 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-medium'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Figure-3.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"293\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Figure-3-300x293.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-384\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Figure-3-300x293.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Figure-3-768x749.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Figure-3.jpg 892w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-384'>\n\t\t\t\tDickinsonia costata, an Ediacaran Biota fossil from Flinders Ranges, South Australia. This fossils is approximately 555 million years old.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Figure-4a.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Figure-4a-200x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-385\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Figure-4a-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Figure-4a-768x1155.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Figure-4a-681x1024.jpg 681w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Figure-4a.jpg 798w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-385'>\n\t\t\t\tBeothukis mistakensis, another Ediacaran Biota fossil, from Mistaken Point, Newfoundland, Canada. \n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Figure-4b.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"234\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Figure-4b-234x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-386\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Figure-4b-234x300.jpg 234w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Figure-4b-768x987.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Figure-4b-797x1024.jpg 797w, https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/files\/2018\/04\/Figure-4b.jpg 934w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 234px) 100vw, 234px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-386'>\n\t\t\t\tDrawing showing the detail of Beothukis mistakensis from Newfoundland. \n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>Exceptional fossils are rare and each is unique in its own way. This presents many challenges for studying these fossils as special methods have to be developed to image, analyse, and examine the anatomy of the fossils themselves. This leads to our groups interest in novel imaging and analysis techniques and how they can be applied to a suite of weird and unique fossils. Each specimen presents new and exciting challenges as we work out innovative ways to look at the ever more amazing creatures found in the fossil record.<\/p>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<h4>Key Publications<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Saleh, F., <strong>Antcliffe, J.B.<\/strong>, Lefebvre, B., Pittet, B., <strong>Laibl, L.<\/strong>, <strong>Perez Periz, F.<\/strong>, <strong>Lustri, L.<\/strong>, <strong>Gueriau, P.<\/strong> &amp; <strong>Daley, A.C.<\/strong> 2020. Taphonomic bias in exceptionally preserved biotas. <em>Earth and Planetary Science Letters 529<\/em>, 115873.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Drage, H.B.<\/strong>, Holmes, J.D., Garcia-Bellido, D.C. &amp;\u00a0<strong>Daley, A.C.<\/strong>\u00a02018 An exceptional record of trilobite moulting behaviour preserved in the Emu Bay Shale, South Australia.\u00a0<em>Lethaia 51,<\/em>\u00a0473-492.<\/li>\n<li>Brasier, M.D., Norman, D.B., Liu, A.G., Cotton, L.J., Hiscocks, J.E.H., Garwood, R.J., <strong>Antcliffe, J.B.<\/strong> &amp; Wacey, D. 2017. Remarkable preservation of brain tissues in an Early Cretaceous iguanodontian dinosaur. <em>Geological Society Special Publication 448<\/em>, 383-398.<\/li>\n<li>Brasier, M.D., <strong>Antcliffe, J.B.<\/strong>, Saunders, M. &amp; Wacey, D. 2015. Changing the picture of Earth\u2019s earliest fossils (3.5-1.9 Ga) with new approaches and new discoveries. <em>PNAS 112<\/em>, 4859-4864.<\/li>\n<li>Liu, A.G., McIlroy, D., <strong>Antcliffe, J.B.<\/strong> &amp; Brasier, M.D. 2011. Effaced preservation in the Ediacara biota and its implications for the early macrofossil record. <em>Palaeontology 54<\/em>, 607-630.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Antcliffe, J.B.<\/strong> &amp; Brasier, M.D. 2011. Fossils with Little Relief: Using Lasers to Conserve, Image, and Analyze the Ediacara Biota. <em>Topics in Geobiology 36<\/em>, 223-240.<\/li>\n<li>Brasier, M.D., <strong>Antcliffe, J.B.<\/strong> &amp; Callow, R.H.T. 2011. Evolutionary Trends in Remarkable Fossil Preservation Across the Ediacaran-Cambrian Transition and the Impact of Metazoan Mixing. <em>Topics in Geobiology 32<\/em>, 519-567.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Research Overview Normally fossils are thought of as shells and bones preserved in sediments. But many fossils preserve much more than just these hard mineralized parts, even allowing us to find fossils of completely soft-bodied organisms. The fossil record now<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1001753,"featured_media":0,"parent":13,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-94","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/94","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1001753"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=94"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/94\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/paleo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=94"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}