Sulfur Reducing Bacteria and Spongilla

I've just begun reading up on this, but the subject
seems very promising. I've been wondering what
those dark patches are seen in some of the
close up Rover images, and seen coating some
threads/spicules.

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/galle...4P2959M2M1.JPG
http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/galle...P2933M2M1.HTML

Sulfur reducing bacteria thrive off elemental sulfur
and sunlight. They thrive in low oxygen, cold water
and salty environments. They produce carbon
dioxide and are one of the earliest forms of
bacteria. And they are associated with hematite.

They also are known to have a symbiotic relationship
to sponges, in particular spongilla, and may be a
primary food source. Spongilla just happens
to produce gemmules that look exactly like
the spheres from the Rover pictures.


http://waynesword.palomar.edu/plfeb96.htm#gemmules

I'm seeing a trend here, a food cycle consistent with the
Mars environment, but much more reading
is needed.

Jonathan

s

"During the spring gemmule "hatch", the peripheral thesocytes
differentiate into a pinacoderm that balloons out, like a bubblegum
bubble, through the micropyle. This micropyle bubble makes
contact and attaches to the substratum"
http://64.78.63.75/samples/04BIORupp...oology7ch5.pdf


http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/galle...P2933M2M1.HTML





Jonathan

s