A study concluded that Prototaxites, ancient towering organisms, belong to an entirely extinct evolutionary branch of complex eukaryotes, distinct from fungi or plants.

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Rhynie, Scotland

Who

Dr Sandy Hetherington, Laura Cooper, University of Edinburgh, National Museums Scotland

What

A study concluded that Prototaxites, ancient towering organisms, belong to an entirely extinct evolutionary branch of complex eukaryotes, distinct from fungi or plants.

When

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT · 2h 4m ago

Where

Rhynie, Scotland ·

Why

Analysis of Prototaxites fossils from the Rhynie chert showed a lack of chitin and unusual internal structures, disproving previous fungal classification.

The Frontline Impact

How this affects you

The reclassification of Prototaxites identifies a previously unknown, entirely extinct lineage of complex life, expanding understanding of early terrestrial ecosystems and evolutionary history.

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