Archean and modern analogues of <i>Epiphyton</i>.

(A–C) Archean calcified coccoid cyanobacteria (modified after Kazmierczak et al. [26]) showing honeycomb patterns, layered envelopes, pits with silicified cocci and identical elements. (D) A modern coccoid cyanobacterial mat from Lake Van (Turkey) (modified after Kazmierczak et al. [26]) showing honeycomb structure and similar elements. (E) Examples of degradation cocci and remaining pits from Lake Van [26]. (F) Colonies with a number of cells contained within an outer membrane, which represent a prototype of mineralized capsules [39]. (G) Model to show the correspondence between cocci colonies in vivo and the mineralized capsule.