What are the oldest known fossils of fungi, and how old are they?

by Ryan
(Seattle)

QUESTION:

I don’t even know if there are any fossils of fungi. After all, they don’t have bones or even bark. Have fungi or mushrooms been found in the fossil record? And if so, how old are they?


ANSWER:

Yes, there are fossils of fungi!

The oldest known fossils of fungi are incredibly ancient, dating back to a time when life on Earth was just beginning to take shape.

These fossils, discovered in rocks from the Precambrian era, are estimated to be about 1 billion years old. This suggests that fungi are among the earliest forms of life on Earth, predating even the earliest land plants by hundreds of millions of years.

The discovery of these ancient fungal fossils was a significant breakthrough in understanding the evolution of life. Fungi played a crucial role in the colonization of land by early life forms. Before plants could establish themselves on land, fungi were likely among the first organisms to break down rocks and contribute to the formation of soil, making it possible for other forms of life to follow.

One of the oldest and most well-known fungal fossils is Tortotubus, which dates back around 440 million years. This fossil represents one of the earliest known examples of terrestrial life, showcasing how fungi may have helped in stabilizing the soil and forming the first ecosystems on land.

The ancient fungi were likely quite different from the mushrooms and other fungi we see today. They were simple, single-celled organisms that played a critical role in Earth's early ecosystems, particularly in the nutrient cycles that sustained other life forms.

Fungi's ability to decompose organic material and form symbiotic relationships with other organisms has been vital to the development of life on Earth. These ancient fungi set the stage for the complex ecosystems that eventually led to the rich diversity of life we see today. Their fossils provide a window into the distant past, revealing the foundational role fungi played in shaping the Earth's biosphere.

This is a fascinating area of study for any fungi enthusiast. Thanks for the question!

Best wishes,

Nick