Microbially induced sedimentary structure

[2][3][4][5] The structures commonly form when microbial mats (which may comprise bacteria, fungi, protozoans, archaea or algae) are preserved in the sedimentary geological record.

Other MISS include sinoidal structures, polygonal oscillation cracks, multidirected ripple marks,[9] erosional remnants and pockets, or gas domes.

[7][13][14] In the Ediacaran period, they are often associated with the preservation of fossils of the Ediacara biota; subsequent to this point their prevalence declines as a result of the Agronomic revolution[7][15][16][17] A number of criteria have been proposed for recognising genuinely biological structures, and discriminating them from similar-looking features that can arise through geological processes.

These relate to the extent of metamorphism to which the rocks have been subjected; their stratigraphic position with respect to sea-level; their depositional environment; their relationship to ancient hydraulics; and their texture.

[19] According to a study on the planet Mars, there may be sandstone beds, associated with the Gillespie Lake Member of Yellowknife Bay, visited by the Curiosity rover, that are similar to MISS on Earth.

This wrinkled "elephant skin" texture is a feature formed from a non- stromatolite microbial mat. The image shows the location, in the Burgsvik beds of Sweden , where the texture was first identified as evidence of a microbial mat. [ 1 ]