After Dinosaurs Died, a Massive Fungus Inherited the Forests
Meet D. rex The post After Dinosaurs Died, a Massive Fungus Inherited the Forests appeared first on Nautilus .
In a surprising discovery, Chinese mycologists have identified a new species of giant fungus, named Dianjunus rex, which thrives in both subtropical and temperate forests. The fruiting bodies of this massive fungus, visible only upon closer inspection, are visible near the roots of Chinese cork oak trees. The researchers describe D. rex as a unique member of the ascomycota phylum, set apart by its own new family, Dianjunaceae, and belonging to the order xylariales.
This ascomycete is particularly adept at breaking down lignin, the structural component found in wood. Genetic analyses indicate that D. rex emerged around 65 million years ago, a time coinciding with the extinction of dinosaurs. This coincidental timing suggests that after the dramatic loss of large land animals, the resulting increase in dead plant material may have created a new ecological niche for D. rex to flourish.
The study's authors posit that the towering fruiting bodies of D. rex provide a significant advantage, potentially facilitating more efficient spore dispersal in dense forest environments. However, this advantage comes with a high energy cost, suggesting the fungus only evolved such a large structure where the benefits outweighed the costs.
The discovery of D. rex highlights the vast untapped diversity of fungi, emphasizing the ongoing need for further exploration and research in this field.
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