PRESERVED ASCOMATAL AND OTHER FUNGAL STRUCTURES ON THE REMAINS OF A 9TH CENTURY LONGOBARD ABBESS EXHUMED FROM A MONASTERY IN PAVIA, ITALY

Auxarthron californiense, Mixotrichum aeruginosum, Oncocladium flavum and Chaetomium elatum were recognized on the basis of ascomatal struct ures on the remains of a Longobard abbess who died in the IX century A .D. These fungi, which had remained isolated in a crypt of the S. Feli ce Monastery of Pavia for almost 1000 years, are phenotypically identi cal to the type specimens. The occurrence of these fungi and their eco logical role are discussed.