Ancient Fossils Suggest New Life Form
Scientists previously misidentified Prototaxites as rotten conifers.
Recent studies propose fungus or lichen-like symbiosis for Prototaxites.
Only one of 25 Prototaxites species was studied.
Chemical tests show Prototaxites lacks chitin and glucan found in fungi.
Structural analysis reveals complex branching and dark spherical spots in Rhynie chert fossils.
Loron cautions that Prototaxites classification is premature.
2 weeks ago