Fungi in a Warmer World - Fungal diversity from the Peak Warming of the Miocene Climate Optimum as recorded in the Latah Formation, Clarkia, Idaho, USA

FAIRCHILD JOLENE C.; O'KEEFE, JENNIFER M.K.; ROMERO, INGRID C.; POUND, MATTHEW J.; NUÑEZ OTAÑO, NOELIA B.; WARNY, SOPHIE

Morehead, KY

Exposición; 2021-2022: Celebration of Student Scholarship; 2022

Morehead State University

Microfungi are key contributors to ecosystems through nutrient cycling, but they are often overlooked in biodiversity-related studies. Due to this, it is vital to document how microfungal diversity and abundance are affected by warming climates so that a predictive model can be developed. To do this, long-term datasets derived from the fossil record are needed. Microfungal fossils are often preserved close to their original substrate, so studying variation in their assemblages through time can offer a more complete and locally accurate record of the impact of climate change on ecosystems. This is incredibly useful when looking at the Miocene Climatic Optimum (MCO), which can be used as a proxy for current climate change. This paper focuses on fungal assemblages found in thirteen samples taken from a Middle Miocene age (Langhian; ~15-15.5 MA) lake bed in Clarkia, Idaho, USA. Previous studies done in the area suggest that the area was a warm temperate to subtropical climate with high biodiversity at the time of deposition. Here we present preliminary data from this high-resolution study of fungal diversity during the peak warming period of the MCO.