Myxomitodes
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| Myxomitodes Temporal range: | |
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| Myxomitodes stirlingensis holotype from 1900 million year old Stirling Range Formation, Western Australia | |
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| Genus: | Myxomitodes Bengston et al. 2007 [1] |
| Type species | |
| Myxomitodes stirlingensis Bengtson et al. 2007 [1] | |
Myxomitodes (Greek "slime thread like") is a genus of problematic fossil from the Paleoproterozoic (1900 million years old) Stirling Range Formation of Western Australia, and is significant as a very old megascopic fossil, and thus eukaryote. It is a trace fossil and thus evidence of activity, rather than a body fossil.
Myxomitodes stirlingensis are irregular markings on the surface of beds, with the superficial appearance of animal trails. They are problematic for such trails because of their great geological age. Unlike fossil trails made by slugs or worms, Myxomitodes flare and vary in width. Worm and slug trails are long, so generally run off the edges of rock slabs. Myxomitodes in contrast is short, with one end tapering and the other forming a bulbous structure.[1]
