Fossil Fungi : Definition, Types and Examples

In this article we will discuss about fossil fungi definition, types and examples

What is Fossil Fungi?

• Fossil fungi are the preserved remains or traces of ancient fungi.
• The fungi are not uncommon fossils, their fossils have not received a great attention compared to other groups of fossils.
• They are often difficult or impossible to identify due to limited information on their life processes and reproduction.
• The most common kind of fossil fungi is by incrustation with calcium carbonate.
• Some fungi inhabiting leaves and stems remain as impressions.
• James (1893), Seward (1933) traced the existence of fungi, to the Devonian period.
• Saccardo (1882) included 350 names of fossil fungi in his book “Sylloge Fungorum’’.
• Some of the fossil fungi are: Mucorites cambrensis, Penicillites curtipes, Peziztes candidus, Agaricites wardianus

Types of Fossil Fungi

I. Compression Fossils

• Formed by the compression of fungal remains into sedimentary rocks.
• Fossilized parts: Entire fungal body, hyphae, or spores.
• E.g., Paleopyrenomycites devonicus

II. Petrified Fossils

• Minerals infiltrate fungal structures and transform the organic tissues into stone.
• Fossilized parts: Hyphae, spores, or fruiting bodies.
• E.g., Glomites rhyniensis

III. Amber Fossils

• Formed when fungi are trapped in tree resin that hardens into amber.
• Fossilized parts: Hyphae, spores, or fruiting bodies.
• E.g., Archaeomarasmius leggetti (Cretaceous mushroom in amber)

IV. Trace Fossils

• Indirect evidence of fungal activity, such as growth or decay patterns.
• Fossilized parts: Imprints or damage caused by fungal mycelium.

V. Molecular Fossils

• Organic compounds indicating fungal presence in ancient environments.
• Fossilized parts: Chitin, sterols, or other molecular biomarkers.

Some Important Fossil Fungi

I. Mucorites cambrensis

• This fossil fungus resembling the modern genus Mucor.
• Found in sedimentary deposits with calcium carbonate incrustations.
• This fossil was discovered in Carboniferous-aged rocks in France.
• Represents saprophytic fungi important in nutrient cycling.

II. Penicillites curtipes

• This fossil fungus associated with the genus Penicillium.
• Characterized by short, simple conidiophores.
• Likely a decomposer of organic matter in ancient ecosystems.

III. Peziztes candidus

• This fossil fungi resembles modern cup fungi (Peziza).
• Known for its spore-bearing structures, likely forming ascomata.
• Indicative of symbiotic or saprophytic roles in ancient environments

IV. Agaricites wardianus

• Fossilized form of mushroom-like fungi (Agaricus).
• Suggests the presence of macroscopic fungal fruiting bodies in fossil records.
• Likely contributed to early decomposition processes.