An unusual fossil microfungus with suggested affinities to the Chytridiomycota from the Lower Devonian Rhynie chert

摘要

Land plant and fungal spores from the Lower Devonian (~410 Ma) Rhynie chert are known to have been colonized by a wide variety of microfungi, however, only a few of these organisms have been formally described. Thalli of Illmanomyces corniger nov. gen. et sp., a distinctive microfungus on certain types of fungal spores from the Rhynie chert, consist of a spheroid epibiotic sporangium with 4-5 prominent, conical discharge tubes. The endobiotic rhizoidal system originates from a single, proximal protrusion on the sporangium. Rhizoidal and sporangial morphology suggest affinities of I. corniger to the Chytridiomycota.