Detection of porphyrins in vertebrate fossils from the Messel and implications for organic preservation in the fossil record

Researchers have detected porphyrins, likely derived from diagenetically altered heme, in a well-preserved vertebrate fossil from the Messel Pit, Germany. These organic molecules, preserved alongside the fossil, suggest that complex biomolecules can endure in the fossil record under specific conditions. The study employed advanced techniques such as time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy to analyze the fossil and its surrounding sediments. The findings indicate that multiple processes, including the presence of pyrite, aluminosilicates like clay, and a carbonate-calcium phosphate crust, contribute to organic preservation. Similar mechanisms may have played a role in preserving heme in fossils from other localities, offering insights into the broader conditions that facilitate such preservation.

Siljeström, S., Neubeck, A., & Steele, A. (2022). Detection of porphyrins in vertebrate fossils from the Messel and implications for organic preservation in the fossil record. Plos One, 17(6), e0269568. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0269568