Overview
- The New Phytologist study names Rugososporomyces lavoisierae inside the early land plant Aglaophyton majus from the Windyfield Chert in Scotland.
- Preserved arbuscules indicate a mutual exchange of nutrients rather than parasitism, supporting a true symbiotic relationship.
- This is the first mycorrhiza reported from the Windyfield Chert and the second fungal species documented in Aglaophyton majus.
- Researchers distinguished fossilized fungal and plant tissues using confocal fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy combined with Raman spectroscopy.
- The specimen is curated at the National Museum of Scotland, and the team plans to apply the approach to additional Windyfield and nearby Rhynie chert material.