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Fungal Great Split: Ascomycota & Basidiomycota

By Michael Alan Prestwood

Sun 22 Feb 2026
Published 2 months ago.
Updated 2 months ago.
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By 425 million years ago, fungi split into ascomycota and basidiomycota. Ascomycota gave rise to yeasts, truffles, and many molds. Basidiomycota gave rise mushrooms, puffballs, and bracket fungi.

Fungal Great Split: Ascomycota & Basidiomycota

~425 Million years ago (+/- 25 million)
Ascomycota and Basidiomycota Split

A major evolutionary branching divided fungi into two dominant lineages. One would give rise to yeasts, truffles, and many molds (Ascomycota). The other would produce mushrooms, puffballs, and bracket fungi (Basidiomycota). This split shaped nearly all modern fungal diversity.

— map / TST —

Michael Alan Prestwood
Author & Natural Philosopher
Prestwood writes on science-first philosophy, with particular attention to the convergence of disciplines. Drawing on his TST Framework, his work emphasizes rational inquiry grounded in empirical observation while engaging questions at the edges of established knowledge. With TouchstoneTruth positioned as a living touchstone, this work aims to contribute reliable, evolving analysis in an emerging AI era where the credibility of information is increasingly contested.
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