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476 / Paleozoic
Winfrenatia
Winfrenatia reticulata
Fungal filaments surrounded cyanobacterium-like cells in an early lichen-style partnership.
- Time range
- About 407 million years ago
- Final stage
- Early Devonian
- Geographic range
- Land near volcanic springs · Scotland
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Winfrenatia?
Winfrenatia (Winfrenatia reticulata) was an extinct organism known from About 407 million years ago, with a range in Land near volcanic springs · Scotland.
Life and ecology
The fungus retained water and minerals while photosynthetic partners supplied carbon.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Winfrenatia disappear?
Rhynie ecosystems and early symbioses later changed.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Winfrenatia?
Chert sections preserve a three-dimensional fungal net and clustered photobiont cells.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS