Dianjunus rex: A Giant Fungus from the Paleocene Discovered in China's Yunnan Forests — Politics and regulation

Scientists have identified a new species of giant fungus, Dianjunus rex, in southwestern China. Reaching up to 50 centimeters in height and weighing 2.2 kilograms, genomic analysis suggests this organism emerged approximately 65 million years ago, shortly after the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction.

A new species of large-dimension fungus has been identified in the forests of Yunnan province in southwestern China, sparking significant interest within the scientific community. Named Dianjunus rex and nicknamed "D-rex," this organism can reach heights of up to 50 centimeters and weigh as much as 2.2 kilograms. While its size has led researchers to describe it as a "giant fungus," the significance of this discovery extends beyond its physical dimensions.

Research published recently in the journal Frontiers in Fungal Biology reveals that the origins of D-rex date back approximately 65 million years. Genomic analysis indicates that the family to which this fungus belongs emerged during the Paleocene epoch, shortly after the Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction event known for wiping out dinosaurs and countless other species. Indunil C. Senanayake, an associate professor at the Kunming Institute of Botany's Wild Species Germplasm Bank in China and the study's lead author, noted that this timing presents an interesting possibility.

Senanayake explained that following the mass extinction, forests underwent drastic changes, including the sudden availability of vast amounts of dead plant matter. For wood-decomposing fungi, this environmental shift likely created new ecological opportunities. The D-rex specimens were located during several expeditions conducted in 2024 and 2025 across various natural environments in Yunnan, ranging from temperate forests to tropical rainforests. Specifically, the fungi were found growing on the roots of different trees, including those of the Chinese cork oak.

To identify the organism, researchers examined its physical and microscopic characteristics and combined these observations with genetic analyses of four DNA regions. These tests allowed the team to reconstruct its evolutionary relationships with other fungi and confirm that they had discovered a species previously unknown to science. Senanayake stated that this extraordinary species represents a new family of fungi, offering a unique perspective on the evolution of extreme fungal body forms while illustrating the immense fungal biodiversity still waiting to be discovered in East Asian forests.

Sources: elDiario.es.