NAME Krispiromyces discoides
AGE Early Devonian.   AGE span: 416...397.5 mya
K&J CLASSIFICATION (2000) Chytridiomycetes, Chytridiales.
FIGURE(S)
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Pl.19fig.17.jpg
FIGURE REFERENCE Taylor TN, Hass H, Remy W. 1992. Devonian fungi: interaction with green alga Palaeonitella; Mycologia, v. 84, p. 901-910.
SPECIES, AUTHORITY K. discoides Taylor, Hass & Remy 1992, p. 906, figs. 21-23.
LOCATION Rhynie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
ORIG DESCRIPTION* As for the genus [combined description].
COMMENTS* In one specimen the sporangium contained zoospores, about 4 µm in diameter. Based principally on zoosporangium and thallus morphology, Krispiromyces shares a number of features with several living eucarpic, apophysate taxa. One of these is Phlyctochytrium, a common parasite of fresh water algae. Although the genus is generally regarded as inoperculate, Karling (1977) noted that neither the presence of apophysis nor operculum on the zoosporangium is a consistent feature of the taxon. Another extant taxon that shares features with Krispiromyces is Catenochytridium (Berdan, 1939). In this operculate, holocarpic form, compound apophyses are common, as is the case in several members of the Ectophyctaceae. All these extant forms have been reported as parasites of numerous fresh water algae, including members of the Characeae (Sparrow, 1960). While it is doubtful that there will be a sufficient suite of morphological features available to compare fossils directly with modern taxa, the presence of many comparable morphological structures indicates that there was considerable diversity within the aquatic fungi prior to the Lower Devonian age of the Rhynie Chert.

The name Krispiromyces is in honor of Dr. Kris A. Pirozynski, for his continuing interest in, and many contributions to paleomycology. The specific epithet discoides refers to the characteristic disc-shape of the thallus.
PUBLICATION REFERENCE Taylor TN, Hass H, Remy W. 1992. Devonian fungi: interaction with green alga Palaeonitella; Mycologia, v. 84, p. 901-910.
K&J REMARKS
TYPE
ALL NAMES (Including synonyms) Krispiromyces discoides
SERIAL NUMBER 843
PUBLIC COMMENTS
 *For source, see Publication Reference.