Fungal spores and other microfossils

Abstract

Fungal remains from a range of depositional environments have been used in stratigraphy and palaeoecology. A variety of fungal parts, including mycelium, hyphae, fruit-bodies and spores are preserved as fossils in anaerobic environments, in much the same way as pollen grains. Despite the fact that fungal remains can outnumber pollen grains in Quaternary palynological samples, they have received considerably less attention, although the work of some authors has demonstrated the potential of palaeomycology (for reviews, see Van Geel, 1986; Pirozynski, 1989; Traverse, 1990). Part of the reason for this apparent neglect relates not to properties of the fungi themselves, but to a lack of available information. For budding pollen analysts there are a number of identification keys, reference collections and a wealth of training expertise; for a potential palaeomycologist none of these exist. A further hindrance is that many fungal remains, even if they can be identified, their use in environmental interpretation is limited because little is known about their ecology. This lack of information acts as a strong disincentive to Quaternary palynologists who might otherwise branch out into fungal analysis (most will exclaim ‘Oh yes! I’ve seen thousands of those!’ when presented with a picture of a distinctive spore).