Palaeomycology: A modern mycological view on fungal palynomorphs Applications of Non-Pollen Palynomorphs: from Palaeoenvironmental Reconstructions to Biostratigraphy

NÚÑEZ OTAÑO, N.; BIANCHINOTTI, M. V.; M. SAPARRAT

Applications of Non-Pollen Palynomorphs: from Palaeoenvironmental Reconstructions to Biostratigraphy

Geological Society of London Special Publications

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2021;

Fungal spores are increasingly used as reliable proxies in paleoenvironmental reconstructions; however, little attention is paid to the ecological tolerances of the fungi themselves and the signal the fungi provide. This chapter provides a much-needed background in fungal biology and ecology of Dikarya (ascomycetes and basidiomycetes), as well as taphonomic considerations which must be included in any use as paleoecological indicators. It is intended to help those who are interested in using fungal spores as palaeoecological indicators to make more informed interpretations. A recapitulation of spore dispersal strategies and distances is presented for a better understanding of the transport mechanisms of fungal spores. Likewise, pigmentation is discussed, as it results in significant taphonomic bias in fossil fungal assemblages and, as some dark-colored pigmentation is authigenic while some develops during taphonomy. A key element of this chapter is discussion of the environmental role of fungi, including modern versus palaeo-approaches to fungal ecology, fungal assemblages, and diversity patterns as diagnostic tools to infer paleoenvironments.