| Abstract Detail
Paleobotanical Section Krings, Michael [1], Dotzler, Nora [1], Taylor, Thomas N. [2], Galtier, Jean [3], Taylor, Edith L. [2]. The fossil record of Peronosporomycetes – a review. Peronosporomycetes (Oomycetes) are fungus-like microorganisms in aquatic and terrestrial environments; some forms are economically important as parasites and pathogens in plants and animals. Peronosporomycetes are believed to have occurred as early as the Precambrian; however, fossil evidence of the group has been rare. It is generally assumed that this paucity of evidence is due to poor preservation potential of these organisms. Moreover, peronosporomycetes today are classified based on features that are difficult, and probably even impossible to resolve with fossils. The characteristic oogonium-antheridium complexes that occur during sexual reproduction in fact represent the only structural features that can be used to positively identify a fossil peronosporomycete. This presentation reviews the fossil record of peronosporomycetes displaying oogonium-antheridium complexes (e.g., Hassiella monospora, Combresomyces cornifer, Galtierella biscalithecae ), together with several other enigmatic microfossils (e.g., Peronosporites, „Zygosporites“ ) that for various reasons may also belong to this group of organisms. The fossil oogonium-antheridium complexes indicate that peronosporomycetes are preserved in certain rocks, and in fact may be more frequent in the fossil record than previously believed. The scarcity of descriptions appears to be related, at least in part, to difficulties in finding these organisms, rather than to their actual absence or lack of preservation potential. Broader Impacts:
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1 - Bayerische Staatssammlung Für Paläontologie und Geologie, Richard-Wagner Strasse 10, Munich, D-80333, Germany
2 - University of Kansas, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center, 1200 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, Kansas, 66045-7534, USA
3 - AMAP, TA A-51/PS2, Boulevard de la Lironde, Montpellier, 34398 , France
Keywords:
Peronosporomycetes
Oomycetes
fossil fungi
antheridium-oogonium.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 8
Location: 555B/Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 2nd, 2010
Time: 11:15 AM
Number: 8005
Abstract ID:240 |
