JOURNAL ARTICLE

Bizarre 400-million-year-old fossil was an unknown life form: Enigmatic organism known as Prototaxites cannot be fungus, new analysis finds.

  • Published In: Sciencemag.org, 2026. P. N.PAG 1 of 3

  • Database: Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Stokstad, Erik 3 of 3

Abstract

The article discusses the enigmatic fossil Prototaxites, which has puzzled paleontologists since its discovery in 1859. Recent research suggests that Prototaxites, previously thought to be a type of fungus, is instead an unknown form of multicellular life, based on new findings from a well-preserved specimen found in the Rhynie chert of Scotland. The study indicates that the structure and chemistry of Prototaxites do not align with known fungi, leading researchers to propose it represents a distinct branch of life that has since gone extinct. This conclusion encourages further exploration of the ecosystem dynamics of ancient life forms. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Sciencemag.org. 2026/01, pN.PAG
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Science
  • Publication Date:2026
  • Accession Number:191071908
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