Fungal tissues are present within some samples, most commonly representing teleutospores (Plate P10, fig. 1) and sclerotia (Plate P14, fig. 4). Teleutospores represent the normal "spore" forms used by fungi for their dispersal. Sclerotia are fungal resting spores and are formed during times of stress as a result of high temperatures and desiccation. Fungal hyphae are present (Plate P14, fig. 3), and although rare, they tend to be widely distributed through woody tissue. The hyphae represent the main growth parts of fungal colonies but commonly show reflectances very close to those of vitrinite and cannot always be distinguished from vitrinite. Small amounts of fungal fruiting bodies (stromata) were also found.
The presence of fungal tissues is significant in relation to the setting in which the organic matter was generated. It suggests that normal near-surface rotting of wood occurred prior to its being washed away and included within the marine sediments.