1300-million-year-old microfossils from the McMinn Formation shales include algal cells, filaments, and large acritarchs. The flora is considered advanced for its geological age and preserved in a good state due to low thermal metamorphism. The dataset is hosted by the Australian Ocean Data Network.
Use Cases
- Classifying eukaryotic vs. prokaryotic organisms based on described life cycle and endospory evidence.
- Analyzing microfossil preservation quality based on the described low degree of thermal metamorphism.
- Comparing this shale-hosted microbiota with simpler forms from carbonate stromatolitic environments.
- Investigating organic matter composition for oil generation potential based on geochemical studies.
Strengths
- Fossils are approximately 1300 million years old, providing a deep-time perspective.
- The microbiota includes diverse forms: algal cells, filaments, large acritarchs, and giant filaments.
- Preservation quality is described as particularly good due to low thermal metamorphism.
- Organic matter composition and maturation level are indicated as appropriate for oil generation.
Limitations
- Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
- Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
- Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to the specific Roper Group location.
Provenance
- Source
- Australian Ocean Data Network
- Time Range
- Proterozoic era, approximately 1300 million years ago.
- Freshness
- Last updated 2026-04-16 15:34:38.107605; freshness should be verified.
- Geography
- Roper Group, Northern Territory, Australia.