FUNGAL FORMS AS ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS AT THE BIG BROWN MINE (UPPER PALEOCENE, TEXAS, USA)

49 fungal taxa were identified during re-examination of upper Paleocene sub-bituminous coals from the Big Brown Mine. Samples are dominated by hyphae, Monoporisporites and Diporisporites, with some containing abundant Nigraspora. When the dominant taxa are excluded from statistical analyses, four groupings can be made that portray a series of freshwater mire to salt-marsh environments. Salt marsh environments are characterized by Fusiformisporites sp. and Lacrimasporites sp., both of which are known to occur as saprophytes on salt-tolerant rushes and associated plants. Additional taxa point to the presence of herbivores (Melolia sp. and Dicellaesporites sp.) and a diverse community of decomposers. The majority of ecological indicator taxa and distinctive forms have been properly validated, however 5 of the taxa have not. This paper presents the ecological groupings, fungal spores present in terms of trophic status, and a preliminary description of the taxa that have not been validated.