Mushroom Cap in Dominican Amber

Many types of ancient fungi were also victims of tree resin. Some because they grew on the side of amber producing trees, others because big dollops of the ooze would slide or fall off the tree onto the forest floor. Either way, it entombed a treasure for those who happen to find it. This mushroom cap is order Coprinites family dominicana. Notice the small mite at the top right of the cap. Wrong place at the wrong time, huh?

Photograph courtesy Dr. George Poinar, from The Quest for Life in Amber

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