Introducing palaeolithobiology

A growing literature of deep but also surficial fossilized remains lithobiological life, often associated with igneous rocks, necessitates the unfolding a sub-discipline within paleobiology. Here, we introduce term paleolithobiology as new auxiliary under which lithobiology should be handled. We present key criteria that distinguish paleolithobiological archive from traditional one and discuss sample strategies well scientific perspectives. majority material consists biosphere fossils, in order to highlight relevance these, data on fungal fossils Lockne impact crater. Fungal drill cores have been described previously here provide insights into presence reproductive structures indicate fungi indigenous. show these frequently dissolve penetrate secondary calcite, delineating role lithobionts plays geobiological cycles. hope formalization will not only an overlooked area paleobiology simplify future studies endo- epilithic fossil material, improve our understanding history biosphere.