Entomopathogenic fungi (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) on a termite (Blattodea: Mastotermitidae) trapped in Miocene amber from Chiapas, Mexico

Palaeomycological material has rarely been reported in Mexican localities, especially parasitic fungi. In this paper, we present the first formal report of an interaction between an entomopathogenic fungus and an insect trapped in the Miocene amber from Chiapas, Mexico. The described syninclusion corresponds to two well-developed fungal fruiting bodies and a third one in development, assigned to the order Hypocreales (Ascomycota: Sordariomycetes), emerging from the thorax and abdomen of a termite (Blattodea: Mastotermitidae). This syninclusion represents a remarkable example of biological interactions in ancient tropical environments reflected in the fossil record.

Automated summary

This paper presents the first official report of an interaction between an entomopathogenic fungus and an insect trapped in Miocene amber from Chiapas, Mexico. The described syninclusion represents a remarkable example of biological interactions in ancient tropical environments.