extinct genus fungus family containing single species known fruit bodies recovered amber consisting complete cap broken stem consisting fragment cap cap diameter ranging stem thick spores recovered amber broadly ellipsoid egg shaped measuring roughly species resembles extant genera saprobic plant litter forest debris genus solely known new_jersey amber deposits atlantic coastal plain new_jersey united_states date stage upper cretaceous known fungus species known fossil record described new_jersey amber history classification genus known fossils fruit body mushroom fragment mushroom currently residing specimens collected november area new_jersey found single clear yellow amber diameter specimen found formation suggesting age million years ago amber specimen fractured number chips flow lines chips specimens studied group researchers consisting harvard_university colleagues published type description generic epithet combination greek meaning ancient modern genus resembles specific epithet coined authors honor company discovered amber donated reported second extinct species fungus described species known new_jersey amber species described dominican amber found dominican_republic extinct species found marine canada dating probably reported found early cretaceous amber description consist mushrooms associated nearly complete mushroom broken near base stipe stem cap diameter convex shape sporting broad raised central region mushroom medium dark brown color thin flesh margin gills spaced gills extending fully cap edge stipe lack short gills reach stipe edge centered stipe long broken base stipe lacks veil smooth cylindrical exposed fracture plain prevent area coated fine layer synthetic resulted slightly improved visibility mushroom small wedge shaped fragment accidentally fractured preparation study splitting half researchers intended perform destructive analysis sample sacrifice parts specimen structural molecular study small pieces specimen mounted directly scanning electron coated gold resulting images showed little intact tissue remained fragmented crushed seen sample specimen mounted medium electron diamond knife resulting sections examined transmission electron lack biological material mushroom seen study confirmed analysis final section fossil selected attempt dna small sample fossil extracted sent dna selected extracts showed results attempted possible split initial preparation penetrated fossil destroyed seal needed preserving organic matter mushroom recovered fruiting body examined study spores showed considerable damage process subsequent specimen collection displayed distinct amber possibly gas liquid reaction spores prevented turning amber remained observations spore morphology broadly oval measuring approximately shows distinct combined characters indicate relation modern family close similarity genera genera noted drying property increase chances mushroom amber number species possible close relatives species family authors suggest appropriate classify uncertain placement associated amber specimen preserved preserved number indications ecology approximately insect present flies families order suggest mushroom growing near fresh water beetles family addition mushroom rotting wood probably tree family modern members saprobic obtaining nutrients breaking organic matter specimens included indicate similar habit mushroom
Archaeomarasmius