Chinese Scientists Unveil Giant Fungus ‘D‑rex’ Dating to Post‑Dinosaur Era

Chinese researchers have identified a colossal fungus, named ‘D‑rex’, that can reach 20 inches in height and weigh almost five pounds, making it the largest specimen of its type ever recorded. The organism was found in China and its genetic analysis indicates that its lineage diverged shortly after the mass extinction that ended the age of dinosaurs, about 65 million years ago. The discovery highlights a previously unknown branch of fungal evolution that survived the catastrophic event that wiped out the dinosaurs. By providing a living link to the immediate post‑extinction period, the find offers a unique window into how ecosystems reorganized after the dinosaurs vanished and how fungi adapted to the new ecological conditions.