Fossil evidence unveils an early Cambrian origin for Bryozoa
Cite this dataset
Zhang, Zhiliang et al. (2021). Fossil evidence unveils an early Cambrian origin for Bryozoa [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.rn8pk0pbd
Abstract
Bryozoans (ectoprocts or moss animals) are aquatic, dominantly sessile, filter-feeding lophophorates that construct an organic or calcareous modular colonial (clonal) exoskeleton. The presence of six major orders of bryozoans with advanced polymorphisms in lower Ordovician rocks strongly suggests a Cambrian origin for the largest and most diverse lophophorate phylum. However, a lack of convincing bryozoan fossils from the Cambrian has hampered resolution of the true origins and character assembly of earliest members of the group. Here we interpret the millimetric, erect, bilaminate, secondarily phosphatised fossil Protomelission gatehousei from the early Cambrian of Australia and South China as a potential stem-group bryozoan. The monomorphic zooid capsules, modular construction, organic composition and simple linear budding growth geometry represent a mixture of organic Gymnolaemata and biomineralised Stenolaemata character traits, with phylogenetic analyses identifying P. gatehousei as a stem-group bryozoan. This aligns the origin of phylum Bryozoa with all other skeletonised phyla in Cambrian Age 3, pushing back its first occurrence by approximately 35 million years. This reconciles the fossil record with molecular clock estimations of an early Cambrian origination and subsequent Ordovician radiation of Bryozoa following the acquisition of a carbonate skeleton.
Funding
Macquarie University, Award: 2019 MQRF
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Award: 41425008
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Award: XDB26000000
Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Award: D17013
Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China
1000 Talent Shaanxi Province Fellowship
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Award: 41720104002
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Award: 41621003
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Award: 41890844