Yeast-like fungal cells in Dominican amber

Authors: Rikkinen, Jouko & Poinar, George O.
Journal: Karstenia, Volume 42 (2002), Issue 2, pages 29-32.
Doi: https://doi.org/10.29203/ka.2002.384
Full text: PDF
Key words: Fossil fungi, Dominican amber, palaeoecology, yeasts

Abstract: Hundreds of yeast-like fungal cells were found in a fragment of Dominican amber dating back to 15–45 million years ago. While yeast-like fungi are common and important in many extant ecosystems, fossils of these morphs have not been reported previously. All evidence indicates that the fossilised fungi lived in a moist tropical forest and utilised a fluid substrate, possibly plant exudate.