A kind of coccoid dinoflagellates-like fossils gives a new explanation of source of dinosterane in the Early-Middle Cambrian

Abstract

The coccoid fossils covered with thick gelatinous envelop containing several gametes are discovered in gyps and salt deposits of Cambrian, H4well and chert bed of the base of Yuertus Formation (∈ 1 1 ) of Xiaoerbulake Section. The fossils are described and compared with coccoid dinoflagellates. These fossils may be a coccoid life-cycle stage (vegetative cyst) of coccoid dinoflagellates. If this identification is correct, the coccoid dinoflagellates-like fossils could give a reasonable explanation of the dinoflagellate-specific biomarkers from Cambrian, H4 well, Tarim Basin.