Molecular paleontology: some current advances and problems
Abstract
Molecular paleontology is the application of molecular analytical techniques to fossil or subfossil material in order to test for the presence of original biomolecules. These molecules may be proteins, DNA, carbohydrates or lipids, or their diagenetic products. Molecular investigations of fossil specimens seek to assess if any original chemical/molecular material persists, whether or not this material retains systematic significance, if molecular preservation can be or is linked to morphological preservation, and to understand degradation patterns for biomolecules that may enter the geologic record.
- Publication:
-
Annales de paléontologie
- Pub Date:
- 2004
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.annpal.2004.02.001
- Bibcode:
- 2004AnPal..90...81H
- Keywords:
-
- Diagenesis;
- Fossil molecules;
- Methodology;
- Taphonomy