Emily Johnson
The evolution of mushrooms, or fungi, is a fascinating area of study. While mushrooms are often associated with plants, they are actually more closely related to animals, having diverged from other life forms around 1.5 billion years ago. The earliest terrestrial fungus fossils have been discovered in South China and date back around 635 million years. There is also evidence to suggest that microscopic mushrooms existed around 500 million years ago and played an important role in the colonisation of plants on Earth's surface. In 2020, a new study led by Professor Steeve Bonneville identified fossilised remains of mycelium (a network of interconnected microscopic strands) in rocks that were between 715 and 810 million years old, suggesting that mushrooms evolved even earlier than previously thought. These discoveries provide valuable insights into the evolution of life on Earth and the important role that fungi have played in supporting plant growth and improving their resistance to stresses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Were mushrooms around before plants? | Yes |
| Earliest known mushroom-forming fungi | Archaeomarasmius legletti (90 million years ago) |
| Earliest known mushroom fossils | 460 million years old |
| Earliest fossilized fungus | Ourasphaira giraldae (1 billion years ago) |
| Earliest terrestrial fungus fossils | 635 million years ago |
| Earliest fungi | 1.5 billion years ago |
| Earliest fungi (possible) | 2.4 billion years ago |
| Oldest mushroom fossils | 715-810 million years old |
| Largest organism on Earth | Dark honey fungus in Oregon |
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What You'll Learn
The oldest mushroom fossils
The fossil record of fungi is quite sparse due to their soft, fleshy, and easily degradable tissues. However, some ancient fossils have been discovered and identified as fungi using advanced techniques.
In 2020, a group of researchers led by Professor Steeve Bonneville discovered the oldest mushroom fossil ever identified from its molecular composition. The fossilized remains of mycelium (a network of interconnected microscopic strands) were found in rocks from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dating between 715 and 810 million years old. This discovery pushed back the timeline of the evolution of organisms on Earth.
Another ancient fossil, named Ourasphaira giraldae, was discovered in the Canadian Arctic and estimated to be around one billion years old. This discovery provided evidence that fungi existed well before plants colonized the land.
Previously, the oldest known mushroom fossils were preserved in amber and dated to around 90-99 million years ago. These fossils, found in Southeast Asia, were formed when sticky tree resin enveloped the mushrooms and fossilized into amber.
The discovery of even older mushroom fossils, such as the one dated to 715-810 million years ago, highlights the importance of using advanced chemical and microscopic techniques to identify ancient microorganisms and fill in the gaps in our understanding of Earth's evolutionary history.
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Fungi fossils in amber
The early fossil record of fungi is scarce, and fossils are extremely rare and difficult to discern from other microorganisms. This is due to the soft, fleshy, and easily degradable nature of fungal fruiting bodies, as well as the microscopic dimensions of most fungal structures.
However, in 2025, a stunning discovery was made: fossilized entomopathogenic fungi from mid-Cretaceous amber were found, providing some of the oldest direct evidence of parasitic relationships between fungi and insects. These fossils, estimated to be around 99 million years old, revealed that Ophiocordyceps fungi originated approximately 133 million years ago and underwent early host shifts that influenced their evolution.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, described two newly identified fungal species, Paleoophiocordyceps gerontoformicae and Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, preserved in Kachin amber from Myanmar. The former was associated with an infected ant pupa of the extinct genus Gerontoformica, while the latter was found growing out of the head of an insect.
These findings provide valuable insights into the early evolution of insect-fungal associations and the complex terrestrial ecosystems of the Cretaceous period. They suggest that Ophiocordyceps may have acted as "'predators'" of insects, regulating the populations of certain groups.
While the discovery of these fungi fossils in amber is significant, it is important to note that they do not provide direct information about the evolution of fungi itself, which remains somewhat mysterious. However, other sources suggest that the earliest fungi may have evolved between 715 and 810 million years ago, with fossilized evidence of fungus-like organisms in South China dating back around 635 million years.
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The evolution of fungi
The earliest terrestrial fungus fossils, or fungus-like fossils, were discovered in South China and date back to around 635 million years ago. These early fungi may have played a crucial role in oxygenating the Earth's atmosphere after the Cryogenian glaciations. However, the fossil record of fungi is sparse due to the soft, fleshy, and easily degradable nature of their fruiting bodies, as well as the microscopic size of most fungal structures.
In 2019, scientists reported the discovery of a fossilized fungus, Ourasphaira giraldae, in the Canadian Arctic. This fungus is estimated to have grown on land a billion years ago, well before plants colonized the land. Another significant discovery was made by Professor Steeve Bonneville and his team, who identified the fossilized remains of mycelium (a network of interconnected microscopic strands) in rocks dating between 715 and 810 million years old. These findings suggest that mushrooms were present on Earth much earlier than previously thought and may have been important partners for the first plants that colonized the land.
Fungi have played a crucial role in supporting plant growth and improving their resistance to stresses such as diseases and droughts. They form mutually beneficial relationships with over 90% of plants, and their vast webs stretch through the soil, transferring chemical signals, food, and water. Additionally, fungi are essential decomposers, breaking down dead organic matter and cycling nutrients back into the soil, making them vital for ecosystems.
While the evolution of fungi is not yet fully understood, these recent discoveries provide valuable insights into the early presence of fungi on Earth and their potential impact on the colonization of plants. Further research and advancements in fossil identification techniques will help uncover more of the mysteries surrounding the evolution of this diverse and important kingdom.
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The benefits of fungi
Fungi, or mushrooms, are believed to have existed on Earth before plants. Fossilized fungi that may have grown on land a billion years ago, well before plants, have been discovered in the Canadian Arctic. There is also evidence of ancient fungi in the Democratic Republic of Congo, dating back between 715 and 810 million years.
Fungi play a crucial role in the planet's ecosystems and have many benefits. Here are some of the advantages of fungi:
Decomposing Organic Matter
Fungi are known for their role in breaking down organic matter and facilitating the regeneration of life. They act as decomposers, breaking down compounds and turning them into nutrients that can be utilized by other organisms. Without fungi, the Earth would be covered in layers of dead plants and animals.
Mutualistic Relationships with Plants
Mycorrhizal fungi form complex networks with plant roots and provide crucial nutrients to plants. In exchange, plants supply the fungi with sugars, as fungi do not photosynthesize. This mutualistic relationship helps plants defend against diseases, droughts, and other stresses, contributing to their growth, survival, and reproduction.
Food and Beverage Production
Fungi, including yeasts, have been used in food and beverage production for centuries. They are responsible for the creation of bread, chocolate, beer, and soy sauce. Additionally, they are essential for wine production.
Medical Benefits
Fungi have significant medical applications. For example, the discovery of penicillin, obtained from the fungus Penicillium, revolutionized medicine. Alexander Fleming's work with this fungus in 1928 led to its mainstream use as an antibiotic.
Sustainable Materials
Fungi can be used to create sustainable biomaterials. Mycelium, the non-visible part of fungi, can be turned into packaging, shoes, purses, or even building blocks. The fungal cells secrete enzymes that break down materials and "glue" them together, forming a durable structure.
Fungi play a vital role in ecosystems and have a wide range of benefits that impact life on Earth. Their biodiversity and ecological interactions make them essential for the planet's health and human well-being.
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Giant fungi fossils
The existence of fungi predates that of plants, according to fossil evidence. In 2019, scientists discovered a fossilized fungus called Ourasphaira giraldae in the Canadian Arctic, which is believed to have grown on land a billion years ago, long before plants. Another fossilized fungus, Archaeomarasmius legletti, dates back to the mid-Cretaceous, 90 million years ago.
Fungi are challenging to identify in the fossil record due to their soft, fleshy, and easily degradable nature. However, the discovery of fossilized hyphae and spores in Wisconsin, dated to 460 million years ago, provides further evidence of early fungi. These fossils resemble modern-day Glomerales and existed when land flora was limited to non-vascular bryophyte-like plants.
One of the most intriguing examples of giant fungi fossils is Prototaxites, which was likely a fungus or lichen. Prototaxites fossils have been found worldwide, with a diameter of up to 1 meter and a height reaching 8.8 meters, making them remnants of the largest organisms from their period. These fossils resemble tree trunks with root-like structures and are believed to have become extinct in the Late Devonian as vascular plants rose to prominence.
The interpretation of Prototaxites as a giant fungus has been controversial. Initially, it was described as partially rotten giant conifers containing fungal remains. However, in 2001, Francis Hueber suggested that Prototaxites was indeed a fungus based on its internal structure. This idea was met with skepticism, but further evidence, including carbon isotope ratio analysis, supports this conclusion. Prototaxites likely fed on a range of substrates and had an extensive network of subterranean mycelia to obtain sufficient organic carbon.
The discovery of giant fungi fossils, such as Prototaxites, provides valuable insights into the early evolution of life on Earth. These fossils suggest that fungi played a significant role in the colonization of land and the development of ecosystems, even before the widespread presence of plants.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, according to fossil evidence, mushrooms existed before plants colonized the Earth's surface.
It is estimated that the earliest mushrooms evolved on Earth between 715 and 810 million years ago, while plants colonized the Earth's surface around 500 million years ago.
Fossilized fungal filaments have been discovered in shale rock from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dating between 715 and 810 million years ago. Additionally, a 1-billion-year-old fossilized fungus, named Ourasphaira giraldae, was discovered in the Canadian Arctic.
Early mushrooms likely played a crucial role in the evolution of plants by forming symbiotic relationships with them. They also contributed to the oxygenation of the Earth's atmosphere and broke down organic matter, cycling nutrients throughout the environment.
