That's right; stromatolites are fossils of very old bacterial colonies.
Stromatolites are layered accretionary structures formed in shallow water by the trapping, binding and cementation of sedimentary grains by bio-films of microorganisms, especially cyanobacteria (commonly known as blue-green algae). Stromatolites are a major constituent of the fossil record for about the first 3.5 billion years of life on earth and were responsible for creating the atmosphere we breathe.
The most common Precambrian fossils are stromatolites. These are layered structures formed by the growth of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, in shallow water environments. Stromatolites are important in understanding early life on Earth.
Stromatolites were much more abundant on the planet in Precambrian times which means that fossils found around stromatolites are typically from the Precambrian era.
Fossils can form even if microbes are not present. Microbial fossils, such as stromatolites, can form when microbes are present and leave behind structures or chemical signatures that are preserved in the rock record. Non-microbial fossils can include the preserved remains of plants, animals, or other organisms from ancient environments.
Stromatolites.
paleozoic ERA
Some of the oldest known fossils are stromatolites, dating to 3.5 billion years ago. Stromatolites still exist today. They are round colonies of photosynthetic, single felled organisms without nuclei (prokaryotes).
The most common Precambrian fossils are stromatolites. These are layered structures formed by the growth of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, in shallow water environments. Stromatolites are important in understanding early life on Earth.
Stromatolites.
Stromatolites
The oldest fossils in Australia are 3.5 billion year old stromatolites. Stromatolites are layered accretions of prokaryotic microbes, most often made up of photosynthetic organisms. Stromatolites still live in Australia today.
stromatolites
Some of the oldest known fossils are stromatolites, dating to 3.5 billion years ago. Stromatolites still exist today. They are round colonies of photosynthetic, single felled organisms without nuclei (prokaryotes).
Stromatolites were much more abundant on the planet in Precambrian times which means that fossils found around stromatolites are typically from the Precambrian era.
unicellular prokaryoytes
unicellular prokaryotes
Fossils can form even if microbes are not present. Microbial fossils, such as stromatolites, can form when microbes are present and leave behind structures or chemical signatures that are preserved in the rock record. Non-microbial fossils can include the preserved remains of plants, animals, or other organisms from ancient environments.
Stromatolites.