Spatial distribution of organic functional groups in Ediacaran acritarchs from the Doushantuo Formation in South China as revealed by micro-FTIR spectroscopy

•Chemical signatures of a black chert nodule from Doushantuo Formation are examined.•Raman and infrared (IR) spectral analyses are reported.•Data indicate that the examined acritarchs have a eukaryotic cyst origin.•Organic matter likely derives from microbial cells and extracellular compounds.•Results confirm the presence of a diverse Doushantuo microbiota community.