Fossilized microbial forms in Baltic and Goan amber: A comparative pioneer study

Abstract

This paper is based on surveys, exploration and standardization of techniques to recover rare amber samples from sands in Goa and identify specimens embedded with distinct microbial fossils based on studies on reference samples of imported Baltic amber. We developed techniques to locate, detect and identify amber samples in local sand. In this pioneer study, we report presumptive microbial forms such as actinobacteria and fungi in amber samples of Goa throwing light on microbial paleobiodiversity. Baltic amber (Succinate) is fossilized resin belonging to the Eocene period (44-49 million years old) derived from the Araucariaceae and Leguminoseae families of trees containing up to 8% of Succinic acid and compounds such as terpenoids and phenolic derivatives. Sooty moulds in the amber fossils have been studied (Schmidt et al., 2014). Samples of imported Baltic amber were validated, studied and used as reference for identification and characterization of amber found in sand of Goa. FTIR Spectroscopic tests diagnostic of presence of Succinate proved that both samples meet the criteria as plant derived Succinate containing products. Fossil fungi in Baltic amber were observed, and compared with similar forms in rare amber fragments of Goa. These samples were subjected to microscopic examination. Actinobacterial and fungal forms embedded in local amber were compared with similar forms found in imported Baltic amber and those published in literature. Detection of fossilized actinobacterial and fungal forms has shown us the potential for further studies for comprehensive collection and microscopic examination of such paleomicrobial forms in rare local amber samples.