Fungi Isolated from Wild Birds and Litter in the Itatiaia National Park in Southeastern Brazil

Abstract

In Brazil, the Atlantic Forest has suffered from deforestation, which has caused impacts on its flora, fauna, and microbiota. This biome is considered one of the main tourist and birdwatching destinations due to the large number of species, especially Passeriformes. However, the fungal diversity present in these environments is little known and studied. In this work, a total of 148 samples from 74 wild birds (74 feathers and 74 feces) and 16 samples of litter were collected in Itatiaia National Park, southeastern Brazil. Filamentous fungi isolated from these samples were identified using macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. Among birds, Aspergillus spp., Mucor spp., Cladosporium spp., Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp. and Syncephalastrum spp. were identified in higher abundance. In litter, Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp. and Penicillium spp. were identified. These results indicate the presence of saprophytic fungi species in the feathers and feces of wild birds and in the litter of the capture site. Further studies should be conducted in order to elucidate if the mycobiota profile modifies with anthropization and if it interferes with bird health and environmental recovery.

Fungi isolated from wild birds in the Marambaia Island, Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil

“…2-7), and when analyzing the total number of fungi present in the substrates (feces and feathers), we observed a greater number of isolated genera in the feces than in the feathers (Table 1). Similar results were found by Oliveira et al (2022) who, when studying the fungal diversity present in the birds of the Itatiaia National Park in Brazil, reported the presence of Aspergillus spp., Mucor spp. Cladosporium spp., Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp.…”

“…Mucor is the main genus of the order, which has simple or branched sporangiophores, forms globular sporangia, and does not have rhizoids (De Hoog et al 2020, Freitas et al 2021. Further, when analyzing the presence of this fungus in the substrates, we noticed that it was reported in greater quantity in the feces than in the feathers, as also evidenced by Oliveira et al (2022), reinforcing the need for further studies involving the feeding of these animals.…”

“…Pollination, insect control, and seed dispersal are examples of how birds act in the ecosystem chain (Howard 2003). These birds are among the animals that can act as reservoirs and dispersers for various microbial agents such as fungi, which can associate with feathers, when bumping into some substrate, and also with internal organs, entering through the air pathways and orally (Howard 2003, Reding 2003, Oliveira et al 2022. Fungi are agents of the decomposition of organic matter and can be found in pollen, seeds, and soil (Simi et al 2019, Kraisitudomsook et al 2021.…”

“…The diversity of fungi present in the tropical environment is very high and most of them are still unknown (Oliveira et al 2022). More studies about the frequency of environmental fungi become important since most of them have an opportunistic profile (Oliveira et al 2022).…”

“…The diversity of fungi present in the tropical environment is very high and most of them are still unknown (Oliveira et al 2022). More studies about the frequency of environmental fungi become important since most of them have an opportunistic profile (Oliveira et al 2022). Therefore, it is of great importance to define the profile of the mycobiota residing in these places, as well as to establish the incidence of filamentous and/or opportunistic fungi.…”