Effect of slug mycophagy on Tuber aestivum spores

Ori, Francesca; Menotta, Michele; Leonardi, Marco; Amicucci, Antonella; Zambonelli, Alessandra; Covès, Hervé; Selosse, Marc‐André; Schneider‐Maunoury, Laure; Pacioni, Giovanni; Iotti, Mirco

doi:10.1016/j.funbio.2021.05.002

Cited by 13 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 57 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%

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%

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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“…Fogel and Peck [ 124 ] recorded 36 coleopterans feeding on hypogeous fungi, some of them having viable spores in their fecal matter. Molluscs have also been shown to carry viable spores of hypogeous fungi [ 125 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, contrary to this hypothesis, species of Rhizopogon and Suillus (Boletales, Agaricomycetes) have generally thin-walled, smooth, and hyaline spores yet with high rates of viability [ 131 , 134 , 135 , 136 , 137 ]. One final note to consider here is that invertebrates may be more efficient in spore dispersal compared to many mammals [ 125 ]…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mycophagy: A Global Review of Interactions between Invertebrates and Fungi

Santamaria

Verbeken

Haelewaters

2023

JoF

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Fungi are diverse organisms that occupy important niches in natural settings and agricultural settings, acting as decomposers, mutualists, and parasites and pathogens. Interactions between fungi and other organisms, specifically invertebrates, are understudied. Their numbers are also severely underestimated. Invertebrates exist in many of the same spaces as fungi and are known to engage in fungal feeding or mycophagy. This review aims to provide a comprehensive, global view of mycophagy in invertebrates to bring attention to areas that need more research, by prospecting the existing literature. Separate searches on the Web of Science were performed using the terms “mycophagy” and “fungivore”. Invertebrate species and corresponding fungal species were extracted from the articles retrieved, whether the research was field- or laboratory-based, and the location of the observation if field-based. Articles were excluded if they did not list at least a genus identification for both the fungi and invertebrates. The search yielded 209 papers covering seven fungal phyla and 19 invertebrate orders. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota are the most represented fungal phyla whereas Coleoptera and Diptera make up most of the invertebrate observations. Most field-based observations originated from North America and Europe. Research on invertebrate mycophagy is lacking in some important fungal phyla, invertebrate orders, and geographic regions.

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“…We did not test spore viability in this study due to the extensive research on spore resiliency and positive impacts of spore scarification by animal digestive systems (Vašutová et al 2019;Elliott et al 2022). Some studies have suggested that longer transit times and/or harsher digestive systems may actually be beneficial for the germination rates of some mycorrhizal fungal spores (Zambonelli et al 2017;Ori et al 2021). Our microanalysis of spores present in the scats included in this study showed no evidence of detrimental spore degradation, and many previous studies of spore viability post vertebrate ingestion also support our assumption of viability (Tay et al 2018;Vašutová et al 2019;Aguirre et al 2021;Caiafa et al 2021;Ori et al 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The dingo (Canis familiaris) as a secondary disperser of mycorrhizal fungal spores

et al. 2023

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Context. Many mycorrhizal fungi are vital to nutrient acquisition in plant communities, and some taxa are reliant on animal-mediated dispersal. The majority of animals that disperse spores are relatively small and have short-distance movement patterns, but carnivoresand especially apex predatorseat many of these small mycophagists and then move greater distances. No studies to date have assessed the ecosystem services carnivores provide through long-distance spore dispersal. Aims. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether Australia's free-ranging dogs (Canis familiaris), including dingoes, act as long-distance spore dispersers by predating smaller mycophagous animals and then secondarily dispersing the fungi consumed by these prey species. Methods. To answer this question, we collected dingo scats along 40 km of transects in eastern Australia and analysed the scats to determine the presence of fungal spores and prey animals. Using telemetry and passage rate data, we then developed a movement model to predict the spore dispersal potential of dingoes. Key results. We found 16 species of mammalian prey to be eaten by dingoes, and those dingo scats contained spores of 14 genera of mycorrhizal fungi. These fungi were more likely to appear in the scats of dingoes if primary mycophagist prey mammals had been consumed. Our model predicted dingo median spore dispersal distance to be 2050 m and maximum dispersal potential to be 10 700 m. Conclusions. Our study indicates that dingoes are providing a previously overlooked ecosystem service through the long-distance dispersal of mycorrhizal fungi. Many of the fungi found in this study form hypogeous (underground) fruiting bodies that are unable to independently spread spores via wind. Because dingoes move over larger areas than their prey, they are especially important to these ecosystem functions. Implications. Our novel approach to studying an overlooked aspect of predator ecology is applicable in most terrestrial ecosystems. Similar modelling approaches could also be employed to understand the dispersal potential of both primary and secondary spore dispersers globally. Because this study highlights an unrecognised ecosystem service provided by dingoes, we hope that it will stimulate research to develop a more comprehensive understanding of other apex predators' ecosystem functions.

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Effect of slug mycophagy on Tuber aestivum spores

Cited by 13 publications

References 57 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

Mycophagy: A Global Review of Interactions between Invertebrates and Fungi

The dingo (Canis familiaris) as a secondary disperser of mycorrhizal fungal spores

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