Tenuocharta cloudii Neoproterozoic algae first known beginning of skeletal cell

Description

This algae is one of the oldest fossil organisms
yet discovered that has the beginnings of a skeletal structure.  The evolution of a skeletal structure is hypothesized to be the result a need for defense against the rise of predators (which in the Neoproterozoic would include single cell eukaryotes that preyed upon algaes).  This ancient fossil comes from Horsethief Springs (geologically in the Pahrump Group, Horsethief Springs Formation) in the Kingston Range of the Eastern Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California.  It was first described in a paper published in the American Journal of Science, vol. 229-A in 1990.  It is described as a multi-cellular, sheetlike fossil with calcareous cell walls that may represent primary or diagenetic mineralization.  Either way, the cell walls were the beginning of armoring to protect against predators.  This very early organism grew in unbranched flat to curved sheets approximately 10 to 25 microns thick and up to 5 mm across.  They grew in asymmetric bodies permeated with a network of canals and interpreted by some researchers to be sponge-like organisms.
This algae grew in a Neoproterozoic marine environment approximately 740 - 750 million years ago.
If you are a collector of very early life, this would be a valuable addition to your collection.  This specimen measures 5" x 3" x 1.5" on the longest chords.  Our photos show front,
some closeups of the specimen and the back side.
Note to our international collector friends:  This specimen will weigh two pounds when packed for shipping so it will be costly to ship internationally.  Please use eBay's rate calculator to determine postage to your country before bidding.  Thanks.
We specialize in petrified wood and plant fossils which are accurately identified as to locality of origin and family, genus or species. We don’t guess and when we don’t know, we say so! Your specimen will come with a label identifying the common name of the plant, the Latin name of the genus or species, the locality where it was collected, the formation and age of the material and any other pertinent information we have gleaned from our literature search.
Buyer to pay shipping charge of .00 for delivery to addresses in the United States. We are happy to ship internationally but international bidders should use the eBay postage rate calculator before bidding to determine postal rates for postage charges to their country.  eBay is now charging state sales tax for many states and sending it directly to those states (and the list of states seems to be growing).  Your state may be one of them so your eBay computer generated invoice may also include state sales tax at a rate based upon your address.
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