?An unusual specimen of the enigmatic fungal reproductive unit Windipila spinifera from the Lower Devonian Rhynie cherts of Scotland

Windipila spinifera from the Rhynie cherts is a spheroidal microfossil enveloped in hyphal mantle which extend prominent spines and otherwise shaped projections. It believed to be reproductive unit of fungus Glomeromycota or zygomycetes, but features determine systematic affinities have not hitherto been documented. This study describes new specimen W. that contains single spherical structure hypha arises extends outside terminates what appears sporangium. The reminiscent germinated zygospores germ-sporangial type, thus may suggest zygomycetes. However, interior sphere its outgrowth could also part another organism had invaded .