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Organic Geochemistry pp 799–816Cite as

Macromolecules from Living and Fossil Biominerals

Implications for the Establishment of Molecular Phylogenies

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Part of the book series: Topics in Geobiology ((TGBI,volume 11))

Abstract

The study of fossils as a means of establishing the geologic age and long-distance correlation of strata has been recognized as one of the most precise and reliable instruments of stratigraphy. Relatively rapid rates of evolution and easily fossilizable shells are two important elements which account for this fact. Two different invertebrate taxa whose stratigraphic utility has been extensively exploited are the microfossil foraminifera and the macrofossil mollusks. These taxa will be discussed in this chapter in terms of their application in molecular paleontology.

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Author notes

  1. G. Muyzer

    Present address: Molecular Ecology Unit, Max-Planck-Institute for Marine Microbiology, D-2800, Bremen 33, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, 33620-5200, USA

    L. L. Robbins

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Leiden University, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands

    G. Muyzer

  3. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, 33101-9990, USA

    K. Brew

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  1. L. L. Robbins
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  2. G. Muyzer
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  3. K. Brew
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geology and Geophysics, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA

    Michael H. Engel

  2. Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

    Stephen A. Macko

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Robbins, L.L., Muyzer, G., Brew, K. (1993). Macromolecules from Living and Fossil Biominerals. In: Engel, M.H., Macko, S.A. (eds) Organic Geochemistry. Topics in Geobiology, vol 11. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2890-6_38

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