| Summary: | (Crypto-)Endoliths from vesicular pillow lavas, Coral Patch Seamount, North Atlantic Ocean - Microbial endoliths, such as bacteria, fungi/lichens and algae, occupy distinct ecological niches inside rocks and can colonize a wide variety of substrates, especially in extreme environments. Recently, in situ bioerosion of the glassy rinds of volcanic rocks by euendoliths, leaving characteristic microbial textures as micro-channels and microborings, has been described. The shape and distribution patterns of the fossil borings reveal the behavior of the boring-makers and this information can be used to predict their environmental and trophic requirements. Comparison of the preserved trace fossils with structures produced by modern microorganisms can provide information about the nature of the original trace maker. In this study, we characterise the evidence for microbial activity within degassing vesicles in the outer alteration rinds of pillow lavas, Coral Patch Seamount, eastern North Atlantic Ocean, in order to elucidate the nature of metabolic pathways of their trace maker and their environmental context.
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