Ancient Meat-Eating Fungus Found Trapped In Amber

Trapping Rings



The fossil fungus has branched projections called hyphae that are equipped with small rings.

These rings are coated with tiny particles that suggested they produced a sticky secretion used to trap several nematodes that were preserved close to them, the study team said.

The diameter of the microscopic worms matched that of the fungus' rings, the team also noted.

Ancient Meat-Eating Fungus Found Trapped in Amber<< Back to Page 1   Page 2 of 2
"Because their maximum diameter falls within the width range of the rings, these animals can be identified as potential prey of the fungus," the authors wrote.

"Once trapped, the nematodes were probably penetrated and digested by infestation hyphae," they added. While the rings resemble those found in modern trapping fungi, "the fossils cannot be assigned to any recent carnivorous fungus."

Nematode-eating fungi expert Philip Jacobs, based in Germany, described the study as "a really amazing report."