(Not to mention termites and wood beetles and carpenter bees…)

I remember reading, quite a few years ago, a hypothesis that oxygen levels in the Carboniferous were high (evinced by the presence of giant insects) because fungi and bacteria had not yet evolved the ability to digest cellulose and so were using less oxygen. Much more recently some paleontologists were puzzled by Paleozoic fossils of what looked like an ecosystem composed entirely of fungal mats. Cellulose-digesting fungi finish off a Paleozoic forest? Sadly I have no references. Maybe Carl does.

This “fact” which they made up, supposedly disproved evolution, because the ability to break down lignin never evolved (actually it did) thus proving Intelligent Design must be right, because evolution can’t make squat. That’s the logic, anyway.

Excellent, as always, Carl.

I must add that I never knew that connection between coal and fungi…Im stunned that I didnt know that, but equally stunned at the succinct link between the two. Awesome, in its truest sense.

Thanks for an enlightening article.

~Ashley