Traces of the oldest parasitic fungus found in amber
Scientists from France and the United States have discovered a species of parasitic fungus previously unknown to science. He lived about 50 million years ago, and the remains of this organism were found in a piece of amber, according to Fungal Biology.
The fungus parasitized on ants. This is the most ancient representative of this class of creatures. It was given the scientific name Allocordyceps baltica.
Scientists explained that this mushroom literally grew out of the ant's body. As a rule, the spores of the fungi get on the ant's body and begin to germinate inside. As a result, the parasite subjugates the host, and he begins to look for plants that the fungus needs for further reproduction.
Ultimately, the ant dies and the fungus explodes, scattering spores on other insects. The authors of the new study found the remains of a fungus with ripened spores in a piece of amber. The discovery may help to understand how the corresponding parasitic mechanism arose in nature.
Earlier it was reported that scientists have found a pollinator beetle that lived at the same time as dinosaurs. It was also found in a piece of amber.
