Fig 1.
Light (A–E) and scanning electron (F, G) microscope images of Alectoria succini (specimen SNSB-BSPG 1967 XX 1).
(A) Overview of specimen (scale bar 1 mm). (B) Fossil imaged the same way as in Mägdefrau’s paper [23] (scale bar 1 mm). Arrowheads point to two thickenings initially interpreted as apothecia. (C) Smaller apothecium-like structure (scale bar 200 μm). Note surface fissures in amber. (D) Portion of fossil showing numerous fissures (scale bar 200 μm). (E) Portion of fossil imaged after adding epoxy under vacuum (scale bar 200 μm). (F) Extracted portion of fossil showing decayed tissue and pyrite crystals (left) and surrounding amber (right) (scale bar 10 μm). (G) Several well-preserved structures resembling parenchymatous cells, some filled with tiny pyrite crystals (scale bar 1 μm).
Fig 2.
Lichen fossil from Baltic amber (specimen GZG.BST.21889).
(A) Overview of specimen (scale bar 1 mm). (B) Branch with possible pseudocyphellae indicated by air bubbles (scale bar 100 μm). C) Detail of specimen, showing twisted branch (scale bar 100 μm).
Fig 3.
Lichen fossil from Bitterfeld amber (specimen GZG.BST.27313).
(A–C) Overviews of specimen (scale bars 1 mm in A and B, and 500 μm in (C). (D) Detail showing surface of one of the thinner branches (scale bar 10 μm). (E) Cross section of one of the thicker branches. Central void or canal in thallus filled with amber (scale bar 50 μm). (F) Close up of perforate formations leading from central void to thallus surface (scale bar 10 μm). (G) Close up of putative linear pseudocyphella on surface of smaller branch (arrowhead) (scale bar 50 μm).