Fossilized Microbial Forms in Baltic and
Goan Amber- A Comparative Pioneer Study
Dabolkar Sujata* and Kamat Nandkumar
Department of Botany, Goa University
, Taleigao, Goa, 403206 , India
Corresponding Author Email : nandkamat@gmail.com
*Presenting Authors Email :
sujatadabolkar@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
This
paper is based on surveys, exploration
and standardization of techniques to recover rare amber samples from sands
in Goa and identify specimens embeded 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 sands. 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 family 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., 2013). Samples of imported Baltic
amber were validated, studied and used as reference for identification and
characterization of amber found in rivers sands 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 butanol treatment and 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.
