An ancient fungus has been discovered in a 407 million-year-old plant fossil in Scotland.

Researchers from the Natural History Museum and the Sainsbury Laboratory at the University of Cambridge (SLCU) have identified for the first time a new species of ancient symbiotic fungus in a 407 million-year-old petrified plant. A find from the Windifield deposit in Scotland sheds light on the origin of one of the most important natural alliances — the symbiosis between fungi and plants. This was reported on November 12 by Science X magazine.

The study describes a new species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rugososporomyces lavoisierae, found in the tissue of the ancient plant aglaophyton majus. This is only the second known mushroom that has entered into symbiosis with this plant.

"Mycorrhiza is very rare in the fossil record and has never been found in the siliceous deposits of Windifield before. The presence of an arbuscule shows that the fungus did not parasitize the plant and did not feed on it after its death — instead, a symbiotic union existed. The fungus could provide the plant with minerals such as phosphorus in exchange for sugars, which was beneficial to both," said Dr. Christine Strullu-Derrien.

Dr. Paul Kenrick, a specialist in fossil plants at the museum and co-author of the study, said that scientists have managed to find the oldest evidence of a mutually beneficial relationship between a plant and a mushroom. According to him, such connections could be key for plants to adapt to life on land.

The team applied modern microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, including laser fluorescence and Raman imaging. This made it possible to distinguish the fossilized tissues of plants and fungi by their unique light signatures. This was a breakthrough that could change the way scientists study antiquity in the future.

"The new technique opens a window into the early chapters of the history of life, allowing us to identify the oldest forms at the molecular level," said Dr. Raymond Whiteman, head of the Sainsbury Laboratory's microscopy center.

One of the leaders of the study, Professor Shornak, noted that this is just the beginning. According to him, experts can now use the technique to study other ancient organisms, including plants, arthropods and fungi. At the same time, the light signals preserved in the fossils become a new tool for recognizing life without DNA.

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Earlier that day, the China Daily newspaper reported the discovery of the phenomenon of mineralization of rare earth elements in ferns. It was noted that the discovery could become the basis for an environmentally friendly way to extract these strategically important resources.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.