Recent advances in palaeomycology

The fossil record is a long-neglected source of valuable information concerning the diversity, structure, evolution and activities of ancient fungi. However, interest in these organisms has increased in recent years as their importance in a wide variety of interactions with plants, animals and the geological environment has been recognized. Evidence from the fossil record now implicates fungi in such processes as the establishment of terrestrial plants, degradation of lignin in Devonian forests, parasitic relationships with plants and animals, and the development of ancient soils. Although fossil fungi remain difficult to study, their geological record is rich and rewarding. Recent advances in the study of fungi from the Palaeozoic and early Mesozoic (exclusive of palynological research) are presented in this review. CONTENTS Summary I. Introduction 3 II. Fungal diversity 4 III. Interactions between fungi and their environment 7 IV. Evolution of fungi 12 V. Special problems in studying fossil fungi 14 VI. Future research in palaeomycology 16 Acknowledgements 17 References 17.