Microorganisms from the Late Precambrian of Central Australia

Abstract

An assemblage of structurally and organically well preserved microorganisms, interpreted as both green and blue-green algae, has been found in chert facies of the Bitter Springs limestone from the upper Precambrian of central Australia. This appears to be the earliest known occurrence of green algae in the fossil record. These organisms are among the oldest known multicellular and unicellular fossils exhibiting distinct histological preservation.