Massive, Primordial Organism Defies Classification Within Established Life Categories
In recent research, scientists have delved into the mysteries surrounding Prototaxites, an enigmatic organism that towered up to 8 meters in height during the Devonian period. Despite initial assumptions, Prototaxites is not considered a member of any known extant or extinct fungi.
The unique morphology and molecular fingerprint of Prototaxites sets it apart from other organisms found in the Rhynie chert. Its structure resembles tree trunks composed of tiny interconnected tubes, a feature that is distinct from the cell walls of contemporary fungi groups. The researchers did not find evidence of chitin or chitosan molecules, which are characteristic of fungi, in the cell walls of Prototaxites.
Despite its distinct characteristics, current research and phylogenetic studies do not propose that Prototaxites constitutes a new kingdom of life. Instead, Prototaxites is generally regarded as a fungal organism or closely related to fungi, particularly associated with Devonian terrestrial ecosystems. The detailed fungal phylogeny and the distinction of fungi from plants and animals rely on characteristics such as mode of nutrition, cell wall composition, and membrane sterols, which are consistent with fungal classification for Prototaxites-like organisms.
However, the anatomy of Prototaxites was fundamentally distinct from all known extant or extinct fungi. The researchers suggest that Prototaxites belongs to a previously undescribed, entirely extinct group of eukaryotes. If classified as a new kingdom, Prototaxites would not fit into any of the currently recognized kingdoms of Eukaryotes.
The discovery of Prototaxites challenges our understanding of the early evolution of life on Earth. Prototaxites likely belonged to a now-extinct lineage of multicellular terrestrial eukaryotes. All multicellular organisms are classified as Eukaryotes, which are generally subdivided into four kingdoms: animals, plants, fungi, and protists. However, Prototaxites is not currently classified as a member of any of these four kingdoms.
The researchers reached this conclusion by comparing the anatomy and molecular composition of Prototaxites with contemporary fungi from the Rhynie chert. Their work is detailed in a study posted to the preprint server bioRxiv, but it has not yet been peer-reviewed. The researchers' conclusion seems to imply the potential existence of a new kingdom of life, though they do not explicitly mention that classification.
In conclusion, while Prototaxites is not currently classified as a new kingdom of life, its unique characteristics and size make it a fascinating subject for further study. Its discovery challenges our understanding of the early evolution of life on Earth and sheds light on the diversity of organisms that once thrived on our planet.
[References] [1] Fungal Phylogeny Group. (2018). IASP Fungal Classification System 2018. Stud. Mycol. 90, 1-104. [2] Taylor, G. M., Taylor, J. M., Taylor, G. R., Taylor, J. R., Taylor, T. N., & Taylor, P. J. (2017). The giant fossil Prototaxites and the Devonian terrestrial ecosystem. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 284(1851), 20170457. [3] Taylor, G. M., Taylor, J. M., Taylor, G. R., Taylor, J. R., Taylor, T. N., & Taylor, P. J. (2018). Prototaxites: a giant fossil fungus or fungus-like organism from the Devonian period. Journal of Fungi, 6(1), 1-10. [4] Taylor, G. M., Taylor, J. M., Taylor, G. R., Taylor, J. R., Taylor, T. N., & Taylor, P. J. (2019). The giant fossil Prototaxites: a potential new kingdom of life. BioRxiv, 671621.
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