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Cryptic terrestrial fungus-like fossils of the early Ediacaran Period

Author

Listed:
  • Tian Gan

    (Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Department of Geosciences, Virginia Tech
    Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Taiyi Luo

    (Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Ke Pang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Chuanming Zhou

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Guanghong Zhou

    (Guizhou Education University)

  • Bin Wan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Gang Li

    (Institute of High Energy Physics, CAS)

  • Qiru Yi

    (University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Andrew D. Czaja

    (University of Cincinnati)

  • Shuhai Xiao

    (Department of Geosciences, Virginia Tech)

Abstract

The colonization of land by fungi had a significant impact on the terrestrial ecosystem and biogeochemical cycles on Earth surface systems. Although fungi may have diverged ~1500–900 million years ago (Ma) or even as early as 2400 Ma, it is uncertain when fungi first colonized the land. Here we report pyritized fungus-like microfossils preserved in the basal Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation (~635 Ma) in South China. These micro-organisms colonized and were preserved in cryptic karstic cavities formed via meteoric water dissolution related to deglacial isostatic rebound after the terminal Cryogenian snowball Earth event. They are interpreted as eukaryotes and probable fungi, thus providing direct fossil evidence for the colonization of land by fungi and offering a key constraint on fungal terrestrialization.

Suggested Citation

  • Tian Gan & Taiyi Luo & Ke Pang & Chuanming Zhou & Guanghong Zhou & Bin Wan & Gang Li & Qiru Yi & Andrew D. Czaja & Shuhai Xiao, 2021. "Cryptic terrestrial fungus-like fossils of the early Ediacaran Period," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-20975-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-20975-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Wang Zheng & Anwen Zhou & Swapan K. Sahoo & Morrison R. Nolan & Chadlin M. Ostrander & Ruoyu Sun & Ariel D. Anbar & Shuhai Xiao & Jiubin Chen, 2023. "Recurrent photic zone euxinia limited ocean oxygenation and animal evolution during the Ediacaran," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Huyue Song & Zhihui An & Qin Ye & Eva E. Stüeken & Jing Li & Jun Hu & Thomas J. Algeo & Li Tian & Daoliang Chu & Haijun Song & Shuhai Xiao & Jinnan Tong, 2023. "Mid-latitudinal habitable environment for marine eukaryotes during the waning stage of the Marinoan snowball glaciation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.

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