Scientists discover the oldest ever fungi fossil

26 May 2019

Scientists discover the oldest ever fungi fossil

Scientists discover the oldest ever fungi fossilThe fossil of the oldest ever fungi, which is nearly one billion-year-old. It was recently found by scientists in Canada. This is a milestone discovery and capable to rewrite the evolution history.

Chitin, a unique substance that is found on the cell walls of fungi, was extracted by scientists from the fossil.
 	Fungi is a  member of the group of eukaryotic organisms. Both animals and plants are part of this group.
 	But fungi are the closest relative of animals.
 	If fungi existed 1 million years ago, there is a chance for the existence of other plants and animals too.
 	Therefore scientists consider this as a significant discovery since more information can be acquired on such organisms, which lived during the same age.
 	The discovery was published by Nature.
 	The lead researcher Corentin Loron of the University of Liege said, "The finding is reshaping our vision of the world because those groups are still present today.”

Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons

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The fossil of the oldest ever fungi, which is nearly one billion-year-old. It was recently found by scientists in Canada. This is a milestone discovery […]

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