Fossil of a Giant Fungus Found in Saudi Arabia

Scientists have debated on what this monster of a fossil was. It is aout 350 million years old and was thought to be a primordial tree or part of it. Now they know it is really a giant fungus that can reach 20 feet and clings to trees. It is called Prototaxites. Analysis of its insides show that it is clearly not a plant with its interwoven tubes that are 50 microns across. The fossil was found in the desrt of Saudi Arabia. The giant was the largest-known organism of its time. It lived when wingless insects, millipedes, worms and other crawling things dominated. Backboned animals have not yet evolved form the earth's seas. Scientists say it is a strange world.