Amazing transition between living microbialites, a photosynthetic microbial mat, and fossil microbialites in a high-altitude salt flat in Chile
March 26, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Amazing transition between living microbialites, a photosynthetic microbial mat, and fossil microbialites in a high-altitude salt flat in Chile
I figured I'd make my first post here a cool picture. Microbialites from the Cambrian Hellnmaria Member of the Notch Peak Formation of western Utah. Microbialites sedimentary deposits made by the action of microorganisms.
August 3, 2023 at 2:21 PM
I figured I'd make my first post here a cool picture. Microbialites from the Cambrian Hellnmaria Member of the Notch Peak Formation of western Utah. Microbialites sedimentary deposits made by the action of microorganisms.
March 3, 2025 at 7:33 PM
New preprint! Through plastid MAGs and 18S rRNA gene retrieval 🧬 we identify chromerids (including a novel clade ⭐) associated with marine and freshwater microbialites across the globe 🌎, expanding their ecological niche beyond coral reefs 🪸. #ProtistsOnSky #MicroSky #Algae
Modern microbialites harbor an undescribed diversity of chromerid algae
Chromerid algae and the heterotrophic colpodellids together make up the chrompodellids, which are the closest known relatives to apicomplexan parasites [1]. As apicomplexans are prolific parasites of ...
www.biorxiv.org
July 4, 2025 at 12:18 PM
New preprint! Through plastid MAGs and 18S rRNA gene retrieval 🧬 we identify chromerids (including a novel clade ⭐) associated with marine and freshwater microbialites across the globe 🌎, expanding their ecological niche beyond coral reefs 🪸. #ProtistsOnSky #MicroSky #Algae
Out now in Environmental Microbiome! 🧬
By re-analyzing microbialite sequencing data, we show that chromerid algae (the closest photosynthetic relatives of apicomplexans) are consistent and widespread associates of microbialites across diverse marine and freshwater environments worldwide 🌎
By re-analyzing microbialite sequencing data, we show that chromerid algae (the closest photosynthetic relatives of apicomplexans) are consistent and widespread associates of microbialites across diverse marine and freshwater environments worldwide 🌎
Modern microbialites harbor an undescribed diversity of chromerid algae - Environmental Microbiome
Background Chromerid algae are the closest photosynthetic relatives of apicomplexan parasites. While chromerids have been central to understanding the evolutionary transition from free-living algae to...
link.springer.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Out now in Environmental Microbiome! 🧬
By re-analyzing microbialite sequencing data, we show that chromerid algae (the closest photosynthetic relatives of apicomplexans) are consistent and widespread associates of microbialites across diverse marine and freshwater environments worldwide 🌎
By re-analyzing microbialite sequencing data, we show that chromerid algae (the closest photosynthetic relatives of apicomplexans) are consistent and widespread associates of microbialites across diverse marine and freshwater environments worldwide 🌎
Microbialites (sedimentary buildups formed by microbial activity) were very common in the Proterozoic, but other groups took over in the Phanerozoic. But when the environment is stressed, they come back - and we can use them to infer on past stress gradients. 🧪⚒️
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
February 12, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Microbialites (sedimentary buildups formed by microbial activity) were very common in the Proterozoic, but other groups took over in the Phanerozoic. But when the environment is stressed, they come back - and we can use them to infer on past stress gradients. 🧪⚒️
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Even busier today! Probably one of the best outreach events I've been involved with. Genuine engagement with local communities. Lots of happy kids getting hyped over precambrian microbialites.
Day one of the #Redcar #fossil event was excellent. Spoke to hundreds of people, at least. Got to show all those people very old mud and tiny dead things, and some younger mud and dead things from Redcars #Jurassic rocks #geology #paleontology
June 7, 2026 at 12:21 PM
Even busier today! Probably one of the best outreach events I've been involved with. Genuine engagement with local communities. Lots of happy kids getting hyped over precambrian microbialites.
Microbial Community Shifts and Nitrogen Utilization in Peritidal Microbialites: The Role of Salinity and pH in Microbially Induced Carbonate Precipitation link.springer.com/article/10.1... #jcampubs
Microbial Community Shifts and Nitrogen Utilization in Peritidal Microbialites: The Role of Salinity and pH in Microbially Induced Carbonate Precipitation - Microbial Ecology
Microbialites have the potential to record environmental changes and act as biosignatures of past geochemical conditions. As such, they could be used as indicators to decipher ancient rock records. Mo...
link.springer.com
April 22, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Microbial Community Shifts and Nitrogen Utilization in Peritidal Microbialites: The Role of Salinity and pH in Microbially Induced Carbonate Precipitation link.springer.com/article/10.1... #jcampubs
Look! It's my dissertation, "Neoarchean Microfossils and Microbialites Inform the Search for Extraterrestrial Life in the Solar System."
Check it out if you're into that sort of thing 😁
etd.ohiolink.edu/acprod/odb_e...
Check it out if you're into that sort of thing 😁
etd.ohiolink.edu/acprod/odb_e...
OhioLINK ETD: Corpolongo, Andrea
etd.ohiolink.edu
September 3, 2024 at 4:52 PM
Look! It's my dissertation, "Neoarchean Microfossils and Microbialites Inform the Search for Extraterrestrial Life in the Solar System."
Check it out if you're into that sort of thing 😁
etd.ohiolink.edu/acprod/odb_e...
Check it out if you're into that sort of thing 😁
etd.ohiolink.edu/acprod/odb_e...
トルコ、ヴァン湖にある世界最大の微生物岩群か。シアノバクテリアによる湖底の摩天楼。
www.dailysabah.com/life/environ...
www.dailysabah.com/life/environ...
'Living rocks': New microbialites discovered in Turkey's Lake Van
New types of 'living rocks' or microbialites, different in structure and shape from previous findings, have been discovered on the bottom of Turkey’s...
www.dailysabah.com
May 5, 2025 at 5:40 PM
トルコ、ヴァン湖にある世界最大の微生物岩群か。シアノバクテリアによる湖底の摩天楼。
www.dailysabah.com/life/environ...
www.dailysabah.com/life/environ...
Microbialites—rocks formed by microbes—can store an “astonishing” amount of carbon, according to a new study.
Rocks Formed by Microbes Absorb Carbon Day and Night - Eos
Microbialite ecosystems in South Africa stored an “astonishing” amount of carbon, according to new research.
eos.org
January 28, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Microbialites—rocks formed by microbes—can store an “astonishing” amount of carbon, according to a new study.
Microbialites' nighttime carbon sequestration rate was so surprising that scientists initially thought it was a mistake. 🧪
Comments from Rachel Sipler @bigelowlab.bsky.social and Francesco Ricci @monashuniversity.bsky.social. eos.org/articles/roc...
Comments from Rachel Sipler @bigelowlab.bsky.social and Francesco Ricci @monashuniversity.bsky.social. eos.org/articles/roc...
Rocks Formed by Microbes Absorb Carbon Day and Night - Eos
Microbialite ecosystems in South Africa stored an “astonishing” amount of carbon, according to new research.
eos.org
January 27, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Microbialites' nighttime carbon sequestration rate was so surprising that scientists initially thought it was a mistake. 🧪
Comments from Rachel Sipler @bigelowlab.bsky.social and Francesco Ricci @monashuniversity.bsky.social. eos.org/articles/roc...
Comments from Rachel Sipler @bigelowlab.bsky.social and Francesco Ricci @monashuniversity.bsky.social. eos.org/articles/roc...
The Eukaryome Of Modern Microbialites Reveals Distinct Colonization Across Aquatic Ecosystems
astrobiology.com/2024/10/the-... #astrobiology #genomics microbiology #ecology #evolution
astrobiology.com/2024/10/the-... #astrobiology #genomics microbiology #ecology #evolution
The Eukaryome Of Modern Microbialites Reveals Distinct Colonization Across Aquatic Ecosystems - Astrobiology
Protists are less studied for their role and diversity in ecosystems. Notably, protists have played and still play an important role in microbialites.
astrobiology.com
October 5, 2024 at 3:48 PM
The Eukaryome Of Modern Microbialites Reveals Distinct Colonization Across Aquatic Ecosystems
astrobiology.com/2024/10/the-... #astrobiology #genomics microbiology #ecology #evolution
astrobiology.com/2024/10/the-... #astrobiology #genomics microbiology #ecology #evolution
New paper from our postdoc @fedevignale.bsky.social, et.al!
Studying microbialites in Argentina 🇦🇷, they show how extreme, early Earth-like conditions shape microbes, minerals & biosignatures- insights for Earth’s past and life beyond 🌎 🧬.
👉 www.nature.com/articles/s43...
@embl.org @ebi.embl.org
Studying microbialites in Argentina 🇦🇷, they show how extreme, early Earth-like conditions shape microbes, minerals & biosignatures- insights for Earth’s past and life beyond 🌎 🧬.
👉 www.nature.com/articles/s43...
@embl.org @ebi.embl.org
September 17, 2025 at 11:36 AM
New paper from our postdoc @fedevignale.bsky.social, et.al!
Studying microbialites in Argentina 🇦🇷, they show how extreme, early Earth-like conditions shape microbes, minerals & biosignatures- insights for Earth’s past and life beyond 🌎 🧬.
👉 www.nature.com/articles/s43...
@embl.org @ebi.embl.org
Studying microbialites in Argentina 🇦🇷, they show how extreme, early Earth-like conditions shape microbes, minerals & biosignatures- insights for Earth’s past and life beyond 🌎 🧬.
👉 www.nature.com/articles/s43...
@embl.org @ebi.embl.org
My first post on bsky to announce my first solo author paper is out in @aslo.org L&O Letters. doi.org/10.1002/lol2...
Thanks to lots of amazing conversations with collaborators and a call out on that other social media to gather info on lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, etc with calcium carbonate.
Thanks to lots of amazing conversations with collaborators and a call out on that other social media to gather info on lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, etc with calcium carbonate.
January 23, 2025 at 3:59 PM
My first post on bsky to announce my first solo author paper is out in @aslo.org L&O Letters. doi.org/10.1002/lol2...
Thanks to lots of amazing conversations with collaborators and a call out on that other social media to gather info on lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, etc with calcium carbonate.
Thanks to lots of amazing conversations with collaborators and a call out on that other social media to gather info on lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, etc with calcium carbonate.
Let's talk about a near-alien planet, one where microorganisms dominate all ecological niches they can fill, from building reefs to shaping sand on the beach.
That planet - was Earth, between 3.5 and 1.6 billion years ago.🧪⚒️
Link: agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/...
That planet - was Earth, between 3.5 and 1.6 billion years ago.🧪⚒️
Link: agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/...
April 12, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Let's talk about a near-alien planet, one where microorganisms dominate all ecological niches they can fill, from building reefs to shaping sand on the beach.
That planet - was Earth, between 3.5 and 1.6 billion years ago.🧪⚒️
Link: agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/...
That planet - was Earth, between 3.5 and 1.6 billion years ago.🧪⚒️
Link: agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/...
I can speak to that. Stromatolites are the finely layered structures, thrombolites are not layered. See figure 1 here
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
(PDF) The Global Distribution of Modern Microbialites: Not So Uncommon After All
PDF | Modern microbialites, a specialized microbial mat that precipitates carbonates, have been thought over the last two decades to be extremely rare,... | Find, read and cite all the research you ne...
www.researchgate.net
March 14, 2026 at 12:46 PM
I can speak to that. Stromatolites are the finely layered structures, thrombolites are not layered. See figure 1 here
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
A large stromatolite from the Buntsandstein of Germany. Stromatolites were originally described from this Triassic lithostratigraphic unit and correctly identified as microbialites. #paleontology #FossilFriday
November 29, 2024 at 4:26 PM
A large stromatolite from the Buntsandstein of Germany. Stromatolites were originally described from this Triassic lithostratigraphic unit and correctly identified as microbialites. #paleontology #FossilFriday
I'm giving a talk about the microbial textures I've found in the 3.2 Ga Moodies group, at this years M-FED in Hannover 09:45 30th September. You've heard about the crinklies in shallow water, but what's going on at the deep end? #geology #palaeontology
konferenz.uni-hannover.de/event/135/pa...
konferenz.uni-hannover.de/event/135/pa...
M-FED 2025 - Microbialites: Formation, Evolution, Diagenesis
konferenz.uni-hannover.de
July 17, 2025 at 12:59 PM
I'm giving a talk about the microbial textures I've found in the 3.2 Ga Moodies group, at this years M-FED in Hannover 09:45 30th September. You've heard about the crinklies in shallow water, but what's going on at the deep end? #geology #palaeontology
konferenz.uni-hannover.de/event/135/pa...
konferenz.uni-hannover.de/event/135/pa...
Excited to share this preprint! Had a great time diving into the protists of modern microbialites 🧬 🪨
The eukaryome of modern microbialites reveals distinct colonization across aquatic ecosystems
bioRxiv - the preprint server for biology, operated by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a research and educational institution
www.biorxiv.org
October 15, 2023 at 7:11 PM
Excited to share this preprint! Had a great time diving into the protists of modern microbialites 🧬 🪨
Check out our latest blog post: "EAG co-sponsored conference report – Microbialites: Formation, Evolution, Diagenesis 2025".
Discover more here: buff.ly/LcaQOC7
@unihannover.bsky.social
Discover more here: buff.ly/LcaQOC7
@unihannover.bsky.social
EAG co-sponsored conference report - Microbialites: Formation, Evolution, Diagenesis 2025 - EAG Blog
From 30th September to 3rd October 2025, about 100 in-person and 20 online participants from around the globe gathered in Hannover, Germany, for the M-FED25 (microbialites, formation, evolution, &…
www.eagblog.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Check out our latest blog post: "EAG co-sponsored conference report – Microbialites: Formation, Evolution, Diagenesis 2025".
Discover more here: buff.ly/LcaQOC7
@unihannover.bsky.social
Discover more here: buff.ly/LcaQOC7
@unihannover.bsky.social
I recently participated in the GRC on Applied and Environmental Microbiology 🦠, where I had the opportunity to serve as a Discussion Leader and to present my work on modern microbialites as a Speaker.
Many thanks to the chairs @deniseakob.bsky.social, Marianne Haines, and @jlrolando.bsky.social!
Many thanks to the chairs @deniseakob.bsky.social, Marianne Haines, and @jlrolando.bsky.social!
July 28, 2025 at 4:01 PM
I recently participated in the GRC on Applied and Environmental Microbiology 🦠, where I had the opportunity to serve as a Discussion Leader and to present my work on modern microbialites as a Speaker.
Many thanks to the chairs @deniseakob.bsky.social, Marianne Haines, and @jlrolando.bsky.social!
Many thanks to the chairs @deniseakob.bsky.social, Marianne Haines, and @jlrolando.bsky.social!
Iron Microbialites From An Acidic Martian Analog (Río Tinto, Spain)—Implications For Finding Life On Mars
astrobiology.com/2026/07/17/i... #astrobiology #extremophile #microbiology
astrobiology.com/2026/07/17/i... #astrobiology #extremophile #microbiology
Iron Microbialites From An Acidic Martian Analog (Río Tinto, Spain)—Implications For Finding Life On Mars
[GSA Bulletin] The search for life on Mars requires identifying suitable biosignatures detectable by rover missions or in returned samples. To support the progressing astrobiological exploration of Ma...
astrobiology.com
July 17, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Iron Microbialites From An Acidic Martian Analog (Río Tinto, Spain)—Implications For Finding Life On Mars
astrobiology.com/2026/07/17/i... #astrobiology #extremophile #microbiology
astrobiology.com/2026/07/17/i... #astrobiology #extremophile #microbiology
It's more than just the corals holding a reef together. Microbialites do a fair bit of trapping, binding, and biomineralization. Back in the Proterozoics, they made the reefs. But even in modern reefs, such as in Hawaii, they contribute. 🧪🌊
Link: https://bg.copernicus.org/articles/23/4759/2026/
Link: https://bg.copernicus.org/articles/23/4759/2026/
July 14, 2026 at 2:12 AM
It's more than just the corals holding a reef together. Microbialites do a fair bit of trapping, binding, and biomineralization. Back in the Proterozoics, they made the reefs. But even in modern reefs, such as in Hawaii, they contribute. 🧪🌊
Link: https://bg.copernicus.org/articles/23/4759/2026/
Link: https://bg.copernicus.org/articles/23/4759/2026/
Don't get alienated from Nature's incredible evolution. Microbialites are fascinating foundations of highly productive ecosystems (North American Great Lakes, Bacalar, MX). They filter water, draw down carbon, and keep Earth stable. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microbi...
www.instagram.com/reel/DKhTsAs...
www.instagram.com/reel/DKhTsAs...
July 13, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Don't get alienated from Nature's incredible evolution. Microbialites are fascinating foundations of highly productive ecosystems (North American Great Lakes, Bacalar, MX). They filter water, draw down carbon, and keep Earth stable. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microbi...
www.instagram.com/reel/DKhTsAs...
www.instagram.com/reel/DKhTsAs...