Dre Katie Maloney - Filling in the Gaps in the early Tonian Macroalgal Fossil Record

Macroalgae are ecosystem engineers that play a critical role in modern environments. However, their evolutionary history and ecological role in ancient ecosystems remains poorly constrained by a sparse fossil record. Here, we describe an exceptionally well-preserved assemblage of macrofossils discovered in the ca. 950 Ma Dolores Creek Formation, Wernecke Mountains, Yukon Territory. Three unique forms have been identified including Archaeochaeta guncho, interpreted as a green macroalga based on its large size and morphological complexity. New discoveries of well-preserved fossils continue to improve our understanding of the diversification and ecological expansion of macroalgae in the early Tonian Period.