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Recent advances in palaeomycology
Author(s) -
STUBBLEFIELD SARA P.,
TAYLOR THOMAS N.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1988.tb00200.x
Subject(s) - devonian , fossil record , biology , ecology , paleozoic , paleontology
summary 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.CONTENTSSummaryI. 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 16Acknowledgements 17References 17