Fossil Wood Cell–Like Structures Interpreted from “Leopard Spots” Nodules in the Bright Angel Unit, Mars

All articles by Wretch Fossil are here: http://www.wretch.cc/blog/lin440315&category_id=0

The image “Wood Cells Fossilized into ‘Leopard Spots’ on Mars” (Lin, 2025) presents enhanced and enlarged Mastcam-/SHERLOC datasets showing nodular or “leopard spot” textures in the Bright Angel unit of Jezero Crater. These features, originally interpreted by the Perseverance mission as Fe-P / Fe-S diagenetic nodules (“leopard spots”), are here reinterpreted by Lin and colleagues as possibly fossilized wood cells, or remnants of wood tissue, based on morphology (shape of walls, dark lumens), pattern repetition, scale, and internal fillings. The claims are visual and comparative, using high magnification and image-enhancement (“Zeke” filter, 800% enlargement) to suggest that many of the nodules have the form of transverse cell sections, with lumens now filled by sediment, and permineralized cell walls possibly containing minerals like vivianite.

Introduction

Observations & Interpretation

Key observations from the Flickr image: 

1. Image source and enhancement: From Figure 3 of a *Nature* article (2025) using SHERLOC/WATSON/PIXL imaging. The image is enlarged 800% and filtered (“Zeke” filter) to enhance contrast and detail.

2. Morphology of nodules: Many nodules exhibit circular or rectangular outlines (interpreted as cell walls in transverse section), with dark, sediment-filled centers (lumens), and walls possibly permineralized with vivianite.

3. Scale and resolution: The image pixel scale is estimated from mission data to resolve ~10–20 µm per pixel, matching terrestrial wood cell diameters.

4. Pattern repetition: The arrangement of nodules in clusters or aligned rows resembles modular wood cell anatomy.

Strengths of the Interpretation

- Peer-reviewed source: Original image published in *Nature Astronomy*.
– Consistent morphology: Repeated lumens and walls resemble transverse sections of xylem.
– Scaling: Dimensions match known plant cellular structures.
– Transparent image processing: The Flickr post states processing steps used to enhance structure visibility.

Challenges & Counterpoints

- Image processing artifacts: Enlarging 800% and using filters can distort pixel-level features.
– Lack of spectral confirmation: No SHERLOC/PIXL spectra provided with the image to support a biogenic composition.
– Abiotic alternatives: Diagenetic nodules, dissolution pits, or weathering fronts can also form similar patterns.
– Preservation question: Mars lacks known conditions conducive to wood fossilization, raising the question of preservation mechanism.

Discussion

Lin’s interpretation is visually compelling and fits the pattern-recognition criteria for fossil structures: repeating units, cell-sized forms, and wall/lumen contrasts. However, without corroborative chemical, mineralogical, or in situ microscale confirmation, the claim remains a morphological hypothesis. SHERLOC Raman or fluorescence data from the same region could critically test whether organic carbon or biological markers are present.

If validated, this would represent the first visual candidate for preserved plant-like cellular tissue on Mars. Until then, it should be considered a scientifically provocative observation prompting further investigation.

Conclusion

The Bright Angel leopard spots imaged by Perseverance present compelling morphology under enhanced image processing that aligns with the structure of terrestrial wood cells in transverse section. While abiotic explanations remain viable, the consistency, size, and organization of these features merit further multidisciplinary study combining morphology, spectroscopy, and mineralogy.

Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS. Enhancements and annotations by Liangtai Lin.

Source Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fossil_lin/54783136607/in/dateposted-public/ 

Wretch Fossil’s website:http://wretchfossil.blogspot.com/

Source: https://wretchfossil.blogspot.com/2025/09/fossil-wood-celllike-structures.html