Fossil history of fungus host-specificity: Association of conidia of fossil Asterosporium asterospermum with macro- and microremains of Fagus

Fungal Biol. 2023 Sep;127(9):1312-1320. doi: 10.1016/j.funbio.2023.07.005. Epub 2023 Jul 26.

Abstract

Fossil staurosporous conidia almost identical to modern conidia of Asterosporium asterospermum were found from three Central European localities ranging from the Late Oligocene (Germany) to Middle/Late Miocene (Poland). Extant A. asterospermum is strictly host-specific and found only on branches or bark of various Fagus species from Europe, Asia and North America. Conspicuous association of conidia of A. asterospermum with numerous macro- and microremains of Fagus were reported from all the localities where fossil conidia of Asterosporium were found confirming the host-specificity of fossil A. asterospermum to ancient beeches. The host-specific relationship of A. asterospermum and beech was presumably established early in the history of the Fagus genus.

Keywords: Asterosporium asterospermum; Cenozoic; Fagus; Fossil fungus; Plant–fungal interactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ascomycota*
  • Fagus* / microbiology
  • Fossils
  • Spores, Fungal

Supplementary concepts

  • Asterosporium asterospermum