文摘
The oldest fossil evidence of interfungal relationships comes from the Lower Devonian Rhynie chert. However, comprehensive specimens displaying consistent patterns of such associations are rare. In this paper we describe a new interfungal interaction from the Rhynie chert that occurs between two mycelial fungi within a degrading land plant axis. One of the partners (fungus 1, probably a glomeromycete) is represented by aseptate hyphae that extend through the space of what was the cortical intercellular system of the plant and produce thin-walled vesicles and/or spores. Intimately associated with fungus 1 is a second fungus (fungus 2, systematic affinities unknown) comprised of delicate, septate hyphae. Many vesicles/spores of fungus 1 are surrounded by a mantle-like hyphal investment formed by fungus 2. Because fungus 2 invades the vesicles/spores of fungus 1 and forms extensive hyphal wefts in the lumen, we interpret fungus 2 as a parasite, albeit not necessarily a pathogen, of fungus 1. This discovery contributes to our knowledge of the diversity of fungi and the intricate interfungal relationships that existed in early continental ecosystems.