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Published on: September 29, 2023
Carnivorous fungi from Cretaceous amber
Alexander R Schmidt1, Heinrich Dörfelt, Vincent Perrichot
1Museum für Naturkunde der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany. alexander.schmidt@museum.hu-berlin.de
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|December 15, 2007
Summary
Fossilized carnivorous fungi from the age of dinosaurs were discovered in 100-million-year-old amber. These ancient fungi, trapping nematodes with hyphal rings, show unique traits, indicating independent evolution of such predatory strategies.
Area of Science:
- Paleomycology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Fossil Science
Background:
- Carnivorous fungi are known for specialized trapping mechanisms.
- Fossil evidence of ancient fungal life is rare, especially with preserved interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe and classify newly discovered fossilized carnivorous fungi.
- To investigate the evolutionary history of fungal carnivory.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of fossilized fungi preserved in Cretaceous-period amber.
- Microscopic examination of fungal structures (hyphal rings) and associated prey (nematodes).
- Comparative analysis with extant (currently living) carnivorous fungal groups.
Main Results:
- Discovery of fossil carnivorous fungi dating back approximately 100 million years.
- Fungi utilized hyphal rings for trapping small nematodes.
- Fossils exhibit unique characteristics in ring formation and life cycle, distinct from modern carnivorous fungi.
- Excellent preservation in amber facilitated detailed morphological study.
Conclusions:
- Carnivorous fungal ecological niches were occupied by diverse groups during the Cretaceous period.
- Fungal trapping devices evolved independently multiple times throughout Earth's history.
- This finding expands our understanding of ancient fungal biodiversity and predatory adaptations.
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