Discovering the role of Patagonian birds in the dispersal of truffles and other mycorrhizal fungi

Caiafa, Marcos V.; Jusino, Michelle A.; Wilkie, Ann C.; Díaz, Ignacio Sánchez; Sieving, Kathryn E.; Smith, Matthew E.

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2021.10.024

Cited by 30 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 101 publications

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“…Fungal spores tend to be very robust and remain viable after passage through the digestive system of a diverse range of invertebrates ( Tuno 1998 , Trappe & Claridge 2005 , Kitabayashi & Tuno 2018 , Vašutová et al 2019 , Ori et al 2021 ) and birds ( Caiafa et al 2021 ). Reess & Fisch (1887) and Hastings & Mottram (1915) first suggested that hypogeous fungi such as Elaphomyces may benefit from mammal dispersal, although they were not able to demonstrate spore viability.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mammals, reptiles and birds are significant fungal dispersers ( Fogel & Trappe 1978 , Claridge & May 1994 , Maser et al . 2008 , Elliott et al 2019a , b , Caiafa et al 2021 ), but specialised dispersal associations have been most thoroughly studied among invertebrates ( Fogel 1975 , Hammond & Lawrence 1989 , Schigel 2012 , Kitabayashi et al 2022 ). For example, in one of its developmental stages, the entomopathogenic fungal genus Massospora alters the behaviour of male cicadas by using cathinone (an amphetamine) and psilocybin (a tryptamine) to cause males to simulate the behaviour of sexually receptive females ( Boyce et al 2018 , Cooley et al 2018 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous work on animal-fungal interactions has provided in-depth study and/or reviews on the ecological impacts and importance of fungal consumption by birds ( Elliott et al 2019a , Caiafa et al 2021 ), reptiles ( Elliott et al 2019b ) and invertebrates ( Fogel 1975 , Hammond & Lawrence 1989 , Schigel 2012 ). Given these previous works, we chose to focus this review on the associations between fungi and their mammal consumers and how these interactions are beneficial to fungal dispersal, mammal nutrition, host plant communities and overall ecosystem health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mammalian Mycophagy: a Global Review of Ecosystem Interactions Between Mammals and Fungi

Elliott

Truong

Jackson

et al. 2022

Fungal Systematics and Evolution

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The consumption of fungi by animals is a significant trophic interaction in most terrestrial ecosystems, yet the role mammals play in these associations has been incompletely studied. In this review, we compile 1 154 references published over the last 146 years and provide the first comprehensive global review of mammal species known to eat fungi (508 species in 15 orders). We review experimental studies that found viable fungal inoculum in the scats of at least 40 mammal species, including spores from at least 58 mycorrhizal fungal species that remained viable after ingestion by mammals. We provide a summary of mammal behaviours relating to the consumption of fungi, the nutritional importance of fungi for mammals, and the role of mammals in fungal spore dispersal. We also provide evidence to suggest that the morphological evolution of sequestrate fungal sporocarps (fruiting bodies) has likely been driven in part by the dispersal advantages provided by mammals. Finally, we demonstrate how these interconnected associations are widespread globally and have far-reaching ecological implications for mammals, fungi and associated plants in most terrestrial ecosystems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Mammalian Mycophagy: a Global Review of Ecosystem Interactions Between Mammals and Fungi

Elliott

Truong

Jackson

et al. 2022

Fungal Systematics and Evolution

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“…Birds-associated fungi can play either positive, neutral or negative roles in ecosystems [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Fungi allow excavator birds (such as woodpeckers), softening wood, while the birds may facilitate fungal spore dispersion [1,2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, some bird species feast on fungi (54 bird species in 27 families), while others use fungal rhizomorphs in their nests construction (about 176 bird species in 37 families) [8]. Some examples of birds, which were described as fungal spore dispersal vectors, are chucao tapaculos (Scelorchilus rubecula) and black-throated huet-huets (Pteroptochos tarnii), which regularly consume mycorrhizal fungi and disperse viable spores via mycophagy [3]. Unfortunately, micromycetes associated with birds might constitute a potential threat not only to other animals but also to humans, leading to zoonotic diseases including cryptococcosis, or histoplasmosis [9,10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Culture-Based Study of Micromycetes Isolated from the Urban Nests of Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) in SW Poland

Ogórek

Borzęcka

Kłosińska

et al. 2022

Animals

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There are many positive relationships between micromycetes and birds: They can spread fungal spores, and fungi facilitate cavity woodpecker excavation by preparing and modifying excavation sites. In turn, bird nests are mainly a source of potentially zoopathogenic fungi. The Wrocław city centre hosts the biggest grey heron breeding colony in Poland with at least 240 breeding birds pairs. To assess the possible public health risks associated with bird nests, the goal of the present study was to identify cultivable fungi present in the nests of grey herons (Ardea cinerea) in Wrocław. Additionally, attempts were made to determine whether the obtained species of fungi may pose a potential threat to animal health. Fungi were cultured at 23 and 37 ± 0.5 °C, and identified based on phenotypic and genotypic traits. Moreover, during routine inspection, visible fungal growth in some of the nests was found. Overall, 10 different fungal species were obtained in the study (Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Botryotrichum piluliferum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Epicoccum layuense, Mucor circinelloides, M.hiemalis, Penicillium atramentosum, P.coprophilum, and P.griseofulvum). They are both cosmopolitan species and a source of potential threat to humans, homoiothermous animals and plants. The greatest number of fungal species was obtained from the nest fragments with visible fungal growth incubated at 23 °C, and the least from western conifer seed bugs (Leptoglossus occidentalis) inhabiting the nests. The species such as A. fumigatus, P. coprophilum, and P.griseofulvum can be directly related to the occurrence of visible fungal growth on plant fragments of grey heron’s nests.

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Wind and small mammals are complementary fungal dispersers

Borgmann-Winter

Stephens

Anthony

et al. 2023

Ecology

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Discovering the role of Patagonian birds in the dispersal of truffles and other mycorrhizal fungi

Cited by 30 publications

References 101 publications

Mammalian Mycophagy: a Global Review of Ecosystem Interactions Between Mammals and Fungi

Mammalian Mycophagy: a Global Review of Ecosystem Interactions Between Mammals and Fungi

A Culture-Based Study of Micromycetes Isolated from the Urban Nests of Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) in SW Poland

Wind and small mammals are complementary fungal dispersers

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