Brazilian Researchers Confirm First Fossil Lichen: Spongiophyton Shaped Early Terrestrial Ecosystems

Brazilian scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery that rewrites the early history of life on land. Researchers from leading institutions, including the University of São Paulo (USP) and the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), have confirmed that enigmatic fossils known as Spongiophyton nanum represent the first definitive lichens in the fossil record. Dating back approximately 410 million years to the Early Devonian period, these symbiotic organisms between fungi and algae played a pivotal role in transforming barren rock landscapes into habitable terrestrial environments.

This revelation, published as a cover story in Science Advances on October 29, 2025, highlights the prowess of Brazilian paleontological research. By employing cutting-edge synchrotron technology at Brazil's Sirius facility, the team unveiled intricate details invisible to traditional methods, solidifying Spongiophyton nanum's identity and underscoring its widespread presence across ancient Gondwana.

The Serendipitous Quarry Find in Mato Grosso do Sul

The story begins in 2021 at a modest quarry in Rio Verde de Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Bruno Becker-Kerber, then a master's student at USP, accompanied by his father Gilmar Kerber—a retired environmental official and amateur paleontologist—split open a rock from the Ponta Grossa Formation in the Paraná Basin. Inside lay remarkably preserved Spongiophyton nanum specimens, packed carefully in sterile foil to avoid contamination.

This site, part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana, yielded fossils from cold, high-latitude environments around 410 million years ago. Quarries like this one are treasure troves for paleontologists, offering fresh exposures of Devonian rocks rich in early land life traces. The find sparked a multi-year international collaboration, demonstrating how local discoveries can fuel global scientific breakthroughs.

For aspiring researchers in Brazil, such fieldwork opportunities abound through university programs. Explore research assistant jobs or postdoc positions in earth sciences to get involved in similar expeditions.

Understanding Lichens: Symbiotic Pioneers of Land

Lichens (pronounced 'likens') are composite organisms formed by a mutualistic symbiosis between a fungus—typically an ascomycete or basidiomycete—and a photosynthetic partner, such as a green alga (chlorophyte) or cyanobacterium. The fungus provides structure and protection, while the photobiont supplies nutrients via photosynthesis. This partnership enables lichens to thrive in extreme environments, from Arctic tundras to desert rocks.

In modern ecosystems, lichens are ecological engineers. They produce acids that weather rocks, releasing essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus, and form the base of soil in pioneer communities. Historically, during the Silurian-Devonian transition (around 440-360 million years ago), life was colonizing land from oceans. Vascular plants were rudimentary, so lichens likely dominated cryptogamic ground covers—non-vascular microbial mats covering vast areas.

Prior to this study, lichen fossils were rare and ambiguous due to their dual nature and delicate preservation. Spongiophyton nanum resolves this, proving lichens were macroscopic, abundant, and pivotal far earlier than thought.

The Multinational Research Team and Brazilian Leadership

Leading the charge was Bruno Becker-Kerber during his FAPESP-funded postdoctoral work at USP's Institute of Geosciences and CNPEM. Now a postdoc at Harvard University, Becker-Kerber credits Sirius's advanced beams for the breakthrough. Co-authors include Jochen J. Brocks from the Australian National University (ANU), Nathaly L. Archilha from CNPEM's Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), and experts from 19 institutions worldwide.

Brazilian universities like USP played central roles in paleobotany and paleoecology. The Laboratório de Paleobotânica e Paleoecologia Evolutiva at USP provided expertise, while CNPEM's Sirius—Latin America's brightest synchrotron—enabled nanoscale imaging. FAPESP support underscores Brazil's investment in higher education research infrastructure.

This collaboration exemplifies global science, but Brazilian institutions drove the core analyses. For those eyeing academic careers, professor jobs in geology or biology at USP-like universities offer chances to lead such teams. Check tips for academic CVs to stand out.

Revolutionary Methods: Synchrotron Insights at Sirius

Traditional microscopy couldn't penetrate Spongiophyton nanum's complexity. The team deployed synchrotron radiation at Sirius, achieving 170-nanometer resolution via nano-computed tomography (nanoCT). This non-destructive technique produced 3D images revealing internal architecture.

Key methods included:

• Synchrotron nanoXRF and EDS: Chemical mapping detected calcium microparticles (pseudomorphs after oxalate crystals) for UV protection, unique to lichens.
• FTIR and microFTIR: Identified chitin-rich nitrogen compounds (2.7 wt% N, C/N=28), absent in early plants.
• GC-MS biomarker analysis: Lipids and hopanes indicated fungal-algal symbiosis and bacterial involvement.
• XPS and ToF-SIMS: Confirmed elemental signatures matching modern lichens.

These tools distinguished Spongiophyton from algae, bryophytes, or fungi alone. Brazilian innovation at Sirius positions the country as a synchrotron hub for global research.

Definitive Evidence: Hyphae, Algae, and Biomarkers

Spongiophyton nanum features dichotomously branching thalli up to several centimeters, with pores resembling modern lichen pseudocyphellae for gas exchange. Internally, anastomosing hyphae (2.12 μm diameter) with septa envelop spherical algal cells (5-37 μm), mirroring chlorophyte photobionts.

Chemically, high nitrogen signals pyridines and amines from chitin/chitosan—fungal hallmarks. δ¹⁵N (+3.48‰) and aliphatic kerogen (75%) further confirm. Biomineralization with Zn traces aligns with lichen defenses. Biomarkers like short-chain n-alkanes differ from surrounding matrix, proving biological origin.

This multi-proxy evidence ends decades of debate, establishing Spongiophyton as the oldest undisputed macroscopic lichen.

Shaping Early Terrestrial Ecosystems: From Rock to Soil

410 million years ago, Earth's land was sterile bedrock. Spongiophyton nanum's abundance across Gondwana (South America, Africa) formed vast cryptogamic covers. By excreting organic acids, lichens chemically weathered silicates, accelerating soil genesis and nutrient release.

Implications include:

• Proto-soil formation: Released Ca, P, K for pioneer plants like Cooksonia.
• Carbon cycling: Fixed CO₂, contributing to atmospheric drawdown and cooling.
• Habitat creation: Stabilized sediments, enabling arthropods and early vertebrates onshore.
• Biogeochemical shifts: Enhanced N, C cycles before forests.

Without lichens, the Devonian explosion of terrestrial life—from forests to dinosaurs—might have delayed. Today, lichens cover 6-8% of land, echoing their ancestral dominance.

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Brazil's Rising Star in Paleontology and Earth Sciences

This discovery elevates Brazilian higher education on the global stage. USP's paleobotany lab and CNPEM's Sirius attract international talent, fostering PhD/postdoc programs. FAPESP grants enable such high-impact work, with Brazil hosting key Devonian sites.

Challenges persist: funding variability, but opportunities grow. Universities like UNESP and UFMS contribute, training next-gen scientists. For Brazilian academics, faculty positions in geosciences are booming.

Stakeholders praise: Becker-Kerber notes Sirius's role; Brocks highlights nitrogen evidence. Future digs in Paraná Basin promise more.

Future Horizons: Ongoing Research and Careers

Next steps include molecular clock dating of lichen symbiosis and modeling paleo-weathering rates. Harvard-ANU-USP ties ensure continuity. In Brazil, Sirius upgrades will probe older Silurian candidates.

For students/professionals, this underscores paleontology's vitality. Pursue higher ed jobs, university jobs in Brazil via AcademicJobs.com/br. Get career advice at higher-ed-career-advice or rate professors at rate-my-professor.

This lichen legacy inspires: from Mato Grosso quarry to Science cover, proving curiosity conquers time.