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<p><i>Palaeopascichnus</i> is an Ediacaran organism, whose phylogenetic affiliation and functional anatomy are both shrouded in mystery. Different studies and assessments have interpreted this fossil as macrophytes or foraminifera-like protists. Currently ongoing discussions concerns the possible phylogenetic relation between <i>Palaeopascichnus</i> and modern xenophyophores; benthic organisms that built agglutinated tests. We present micro-XRD, SEM-EDS and three-dimensional microtomographic data on a possible <i>Palaeopascichnus</i> specimen from the Ediacaran Fara Formation, in Wadi Bani Awf, Jabal Akhdar, Oman. The unique preservation of this specimen as a full positive epirelief of drusy calcite growths represents a new taphotype for this organism, enabling a more accurate observation of chamber structure and better morphological characterization. The data gathered concerning both chamber´s dimensions and morphology does not point towards an affiliation with any known <i>Paleopascichnus</i> species, except for much smaller <i>P. jiumenensis</i>. Therefore, it is possible that this specimen represents a new, previously unknown species.</p>

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An Ediacaran trace-like body fossil of a Palaeopascichnus specimen from Oman under 3D micro-tomography

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月23日

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  • André Jorge Pinto,
  • Pedro Álvarez-Lloret,
  • Ivan Callegari,
  • Andreas Scharf

摘要

Palaeopascichnus is an Ediacaran organism, whose phylogenetic affiliation and functional anatomy are both shrouded in mystery. Different studies and assessments have interpreted this fossil as macrophytes or foraminifera-like protists. Currently ongoing discussions concerns the possible phylogenetic relation between Palaeopascichnus and modern xenophyophores; benthic organisms that built agglutinated tests. We present micro-XRD, SEM-EDS and three-dimensional microtomographic data on a possible Palaeopascichnus specimen from the Ediacaran Fara Formation, in Wadi Bani Awf, Jabal Akhdar, Oman. The unique preservation of this specimen as a full positive epirelief of drusy calcite growths represents a new taphotype for this organism, enabling a more accurate observation of chamber structure and better morphological characterization. The data gathered concerning both chamber´s dimensions and morphology does not point towards an affiliation with any known Paleopascichnus species, except for much smaller P. jiumenensis. Therefore, it is possible that this specimen represents a new, previously unknown species.