First report of fungi and fungus-like organisms from Mesozoic hot springs

GARCIA MASSINI, J.; CHANNING, A.; GUIDO, D.; ZAMUNER, A.

PALAIOS

SEPM-SOC SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY

Lugar: Lawrence; Año: 2012 vol. 27 p. 55 - 62

0883-1351

Herein we provide the first report of the diversity of fungi and fungus-like organisms within a Mesozoic hot spring ecosystem. The Jurassic San Agustín hot spring deposit (Patagonia, Argentina), represents only the second known Phanerozoic hot spring ecosystem with an associated microflora and contains diverse, exceptionally preserved microorganisms. Preserved propagules include flask-shaped pycnidia produced by extant coelomycetes, shield-like and nearly round thyriothecia of extant Microthyriales in the ascomycetes, variously shaped spore-like bodiesrepresenting chytrid and chytrid-like zoosporangia and other life cycle forms, and additional fungal and fungus-like remains (spores, hyphal fragments, reproductive structures) of uncertain affinity. Many of these microorganisms are associated with variously decayed organic remains, most commonly of horsetails. This expands the fungal fossil record and provides a unique opportunity to learn about the biology of Mesozoic microorganisms.