PLoS One December 2015 PMID 24963687

The 2.1 Ga old Francevillian biota: biogenicity, taphonomy and biodiversity.

Abderrazak El Albani, Stefan Bengtson, Donald E Canfield, Armelle Riboulleau, Claire Rollion Bard, Roberto Macchiarelli, Lauriss Ngombi Pemba, Emma Hammarlund, Alain Meunier, Idalina Moubiya Mouele, Karim Benzerara, Sylvain Bernard, Philippe Boulvais, Marc Chaussidon, Christian Cesari

Mentions

44
Peak: 10 in Jun 2021
across 6 sources since Feb 2019

Extended reach

141,661
potential audience

Total likes

2,112

Video views

32,819

Mentions per month

Feb 2019 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter14 posts
  • News11 articles
  • Facebook8 posts
  • Blogs8 articles
  • Reddit2 posts
  • YouTube1 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussion highlights the importance of the Francevillian biota in understanding early macrofossils, with references to scientific papers and notable researchers contributing to the topic. Words like 'may have' and mentions of the biota's influence on early Earth's ecosystems show curiosity and respect for scientific discovery, illustrating both engagement and interest supported by detailed examples.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the significance of the Francevillian biota and its implications for understanding early life, showing a moderate to strong consensus.

InterestHigh interest

Participants demonstrate high curiosity, referencing multiple scientific papers and historical context, indicating strong engagement with the subject.

EngagementModerate engagement

Conversations include mentions of specific research articles, scientific debates, and fossil details, reflecting active involvement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussion emphasizes the importance of these findings for understanding the evolution of complex life, suggesting a notable impact within scientific discourse.

Abstract in brief

  • The Paleoproterozoic Era saw significant changes in Earth's surface environments, notably with the increase in atmospheric oxygen around 2.3 billion years ago, which led to oxygenated shallow oceans and the emergence of early complex life.
  • The Francevillian B Formation in Gabon contains well-preserved black shales from about 2.1 billion years ago that have not been heavily altered by heat or pressure, revealing centimeter-sized structures believed to be organized colonies of early marine organisms.
  • Combining various analytical methods, researchers found diverse macrofossils and organic remains suggesting these organisms fossilized during early diagenesis, supporting the idea that rising oxygen levels fostered the development and diversity of complex life forms at that time.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Anders Sandberg
@anderssandberg · X

Today I learned there may have been macroscopic organisms 2.1 billion years ago, the Francevillian biota. Might have thrived during the great oxygenation event and then died out during the Lomagundi event, looong before the Ediacaran biota 600 Mya. https://t.co/qi107DkwXs

Jun 6, 2021 · 63 likes · 15 shares · 29,964 followers View post →
Aidan @WellsiteGeo@masto.ai
@WellsiteGeo · X

@lockwooddewitt It is more widely known as the Francevillian biota. A couple of papers in PLOS & Nature 2010 &2014, Stefan Bengtson best known (2me) name as author. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0099438 and doi:10.1038/nature09166 It even has a wiki page.

Feb 12, 2019 · 1 like · 392 followers View post →
Stephen Diehl
@smdiehl · X

RT @anderssandberg: Today I learned there may have been macroscopic organisms 2.1 billion years ago, the Francevillian biota. Might have th…

Jun 7, 2021 · 15 shares · 54,952 followers View post →
sonnysehra
@sonnysehra · X

RT @anderssandberg: Today I learned there may have been macroscopic organisms 2.1 billion years ago, the Francevillian biota. Might have th…

Aug 4, 2025 · 15 shares · 6,873 followers View post →
norvid_studies
@norvid_studies · X

RT @anderssandberg: Today I learned there may have been macroscopic organisms 2.1 billion years ago, the Francevillian biota. Might have th…

Aug 19, 2025 · 15 shares · 4,913 followers View post →
Alexander Kruel
@XiXiDu · X

RT @anderssandberg: Today I learned there may have been macroscopic organisms 2.1 billion years ago, the Francevillian biota. Might have th…

Jun 7, 2021 · 15 shares · 4,853 followers View post →

All mentions

Clark H
@Clarksterh · X

RT @anderssandberg: Today I learned there may have been macroscopic organisms 2.1 billion years ago, the Francevillian biota. Might have th…

Aug 19, 2025 · 15 shares · 1,400 followers View post →
norvid_studies
@norvid_studies · X

RT @anderssandberg: Today I learned there may have been macroscopic organisms 2.1 billion years ago, the Francevillian biota. Might have th…

Aug 19, 2025 · 15 shares · 4,913 followers View post →
sonnysehra
@sonnysehra · X

RT @anderssandberg: Today I learned there may have been macroscopic organisms 2.1 billion years ago, the Francevillian biota. Might have th…

Aug 4, 2025 · 15 shares · 6,873 followers View post →
Jorge Hernandez
@braneloop · X

RT @anderssandberg: Today I learned there may have been macroscopic organisms 2.1 billion years ago, the Francevillian biota. Might have th…

Jun 7, 2021 · 15 shares · 1,046 followers View post →
Jono
@quinn_jono · X

RT @anderssandberg: Today I learned there may have been macroscopic organisms 2.1 billion years ago, the Francevillian biota. Might have th…

Jun 7, 2021 · 15 shares · 47 followers View post →
Creolus Magnus
@Creolus_Magnus · X

RT @anderssandberg: Today I learned there may have been macroscopic organisms 2.1 billion years ago, the Francevillian biota. Might have th…

Jun 7, 2021 · 15 shares · 953 followers View post →
phil jones (he/him - ele) @interstar@artoot.xyz
@interstar · X

RT @anderssandberg: Today I learned there may have been macroscopic organisms 2.1 billion years ago, the Francevillian biota. Might have th…

Jun 7, 2021 · 15 shares · 814 followers View post →
Stephen Diehl
@smdiehl · X

RT @anderssandberg: Today I learned there may have been macroscopic organisms 2.1 billion years ago, the Francevillian biota. Might have th…

Jun 7, 2021 · 15 shares · 54,952 followers View post →
Alexander Kruel
@XiXiDu · X

RT @anderssandberg: Today I learned there may have been macroscopic organisms 2.1 billion years ago, the Francevillian biota. Might have th…

Jun 7, 2021 · 15 shares · 4,853 followers View post →
James Giammona
@jamesgiammona · X

RT @anderssandberg: Today I learned there may have been macroscopic organisms 2.1 billion years ago, the Francevillian biota. Might have th…

Jun 6, 2021 · 15 shares · 1,249 followers View post →
realneil
@realneil3 · X

RT @anderssandberg: Today I learned there may have been macroscopic organisms 2.1 billion years ago, the Francevillian biota. Might have th…

Jun 6, 2021 · 15 shares · 678 followers View post →
Anders G. Sandström
@g_sandstrom · X

RT @anderssandberg: Today I learned there may have been macroscopic organisms 2.1 billion years ago, the Francevillian biota. Might have th…

Jun 6, 2021 · 15 shares · 319 followers View post →
Anders Sandberg
@anderssandberg · X

Today I learned there may have been macroscopic organisms 2.1 billion years ago, the Francevillian biota. Might have thrived during the great oxygenation event and then died out during the Lomagundi event, looong before the Ediacaran biota 600 Mya. https://t.co/qi107DkwXs

Jun 6, 2021 · 63 likes · 15 shares · 29,964 followers View post →
Aidan @WellsiteGeo@masto.ai
@WellsiteGeo · X

@lockwooddewitt It is more widely known as the Francevillian biota. A couple of papers in PLOS & Nature 2010 &2014, Stefan Bengtson best known (2me) name as author. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0099438 and doi:10.1038/nature09166 It even has a wiki page.

Feb 12, 2019 · 1 like · 392 followers View post →