Abstract
Biomineralization Carbonate biomineralization in a variety of organisms relies on a crystallization process whereby small calcium carbonate particles directly attach to one another to grow hard parts like shells, spines, and skeletons. Although this mechanism is reasonably widespread today, Gilbert et al. wondered how far back they could find evidence of a similar process. By studying a characteristic texture that develops from crystallization by particle attachment, they identified this type of mineralization in a wide range of fossils. Particle attachment likely occurred as far back as the Cambrian and developed independently in different species. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 116 , 17659 (2019).
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