A quantitative dietary study of the ?Critically Endangered? Gilbert?s potoroo Potorous gilbertii.

2005 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
VP Nguyen ◽  
AD Needham ◽  
JA Friend
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Microscopic Examination ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Fungal Spore ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Spore Type ◽  
Faecal Analysis ◽  
Faecal Matter ◽  
Dietary Study

Faecal analysis from the only known population of Gilbert?s potoroo (Potorous gilbertii) near Albany, Western Australia revealed that it, like other rat-kangaroo species is primarily mycophagous. Diet was determined by faecal collections from live-captured animals within Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. Microscopic examination of samples collected from June - September 2000 and additional samples from storage, found fungi to comprise over 90% of faecal matter. A total of 44 fungal spore types were identified with many believed to be of hypogeous origin. Fungal spores belonging to the genera Mesophellia, Elaphomyces, Hysterangium and an unknown spore type (Unknown 1) were frequently recorded in samples. Non-fungal material including plants (stems, roots and seeds) and invertebrates represented the remainder. This investigation found that P. gilbertii fed almost exclusively on fungi and could be considered a specialised mycophagist.

scholarly journals Aeromycoflora in Outdoor Environment of Timisoara City (Romania)

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicoleta IANOVICI ◽  
Dorina TUDORICA
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Method ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Fungal Spore ◽  
Outdoor Environment ◽  
Spore Type ◽  
Fungal Propagules ◽  
Allergenic Fungi ◽  
Volumetric Sampling

An aeromycological study to identify and quantify allergenic fungi and their fluctuations was conducted at Timisoara. The diversity of the aeromycoflora in this study, based on the recovery of fungal propagules by the volumetric sampling method was conducted for 30 days using the Lanzoni sampler. The study showed that the most prevalent (major components) fungal spores in the air of Timisoara were Cladosporium spp., Drechslera/Helminthosporium spp., Alternaria spp. and Epicoccum spp. The abundant genera were Cladosporium, Fusarium/Leptosphaeria, Drechslera/Helminthosporium, Alternaria and Torula. Cladosporium was the most abundant fungal spore type (41%) collected throughout the period of study reaching.

Aggressive interactions between freshwater turtle, Chelodina oblonga, hatchlings and freshwater crayfish, Cherax spp.: implications for the conservation of the critically endangered western swamp turtle, Pseudemydura umbrina

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 295 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Bradsell ◽  
J. Prince ◽  
G. Kuchling ◽  
B. Knott
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Freshwater Turtle ◽  
Freshwater Crayfish ◽  
Predatory Behaviour ◽  
Aggressive Interactions ◽  
Native Crayfish

Interactions between turtle hatchlings of Chelodina oblonga and the marron, Cherax tenuimanus, the gilgie, C. quinquecarinatus, the koonac, C. preissii (freshwater crayfish native to Western Australia) and the introduced yabby, Cherax. sp., were observed in laboratory-based trials in uncluttered aquaria. Marron, koonacs and yabbies, but not gilgies, showed aggressive and predatory behaviour towards the hatchlings. In total, 59 attacks were observed in 26 of the 80 trials. On 12 occasions, crayfish captured hatchlings in their chelae. On two occasions, the attack of the crayfish was so quick that the hatchling was killed instantly. Compared with movement when alone, movement of hatchlings was significantly greater in the presence of koonacs and yabbies, but significantly less in the presence of marron and gilgies. The range of non-native yabbies currently is expanding into Ellen Brook Nature Reserve which harbours the last naturally persisting population of the critically endangered western swamp turtle, Pseudemydura umbrina. No native crayfish occur in the habitat of P. umbrina in this reserve. The possible invasion by the ecological generalist yabby poses a new threat to the survival of P. umbrina.

Diet of the critically endangered woylie (Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi) in south-western Australia

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry L. Zosky ◽  
Adrian F. Wayne ◽  
Kate A. Bryant ◽  
Michael C. Calver ◽  
Fiona R. Scarff
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Fungal Spore ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Dietary Composition ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Close Match ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Bettongia Penicillata ◽  
One Year ◽  
Free Ranging

To assist the management of the critically endangered woylie (Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi), a quantitative study of its diet was conducted across five of the larger subpopulations in south-western Australia. There was a close match between dietary composition established from foregut contents and faecal pellets. Woylies were predominantly mycophagous in all subpopulations, but consumed a broad diet including invertebrates, seeds and other plant material. Individuals in a high-density, fenced subpopulation ate significantly less fungi than free-ranging animals from lower-density subpopulations. Dietary composition did not vary significantly amongst subpopulations in the Upper Warren region, where a range of population densities was observed. Altogether, 79 fungal spore classes were identified, including at least 15 genera from 14 families. Sampling across one year showed that fungi made up a larger fraction of the diet in autumn or winter, and greater diversities of fungi were consumed at these times than at other times of year. This information is essential to provide valuable ecological context for effective population management of woylies, as well as identification and conservation of important habitats.

scholarly journals Diversity, Concentration and Dynamics of Culturable Fungal Bioaerosols at Doha, Qatar

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 182
Author(s):  
Raghdaa K. Fayad ◽  
Roda F. Al-Thani ◽  
Fatima A. Al-Naemi ◽  
Mohammed H. Abu-Dieyeh
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Gravimetric Method ◽  
Fungal Spore ◽  
Industrial Area ◽  
Airborne Fungi ◽  
Culture Collection ◽  
Colony Count ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Future Work

This research was conducted to investigate the dynamics of airborne fungi using viable culture collection and in respect to different abiotic variables, including seasonal and intra-diurnal variations. A gravimetric method was used to sample airborne fungal deposition on potato dextrose agar plates on alternate days, for a year between April 2015 to March 2016. From 176 settle plate exposures, a total of 1197 mould and 283 yeast colony-forming units (CFU), 21 genera and 62 species were retrieved. The highest fungal spore count was recorded in February 2016, whereas the lowest count occurred in August 2015. The main constituents of the fungal airspora were attributed to Cladosporium (60.2%), Aspergillus (10.4%), Fusarium (9.4%), Alternaria (8.5%), and Ganoderma spp. (2.3%). Temperature was negatively correlated with total colony count (r = −0.231, p ≤ 0.05) or species richness (r = −0.267, p ≤ 0.001), while wind speed was positively correlated with total colony count (r = 0.484, p ≤ 0.001) or species richness (r = 0.257, p ≤ −0.001). The highest dispersal of fungal spores was obtained at 18:00, whereas the lowest fungal spores release was recorded at 00:00 (midnight). There were no significant differences in species composition and richness of the airborne fungal population between two study sites, the Industrial area and Qatar University Campus. The count of Alternaria spp. and Fusarium spp. were significantly higher at the Industrial area site, which corresponds to a higher CO2 level than the Qatar University site. This study lays the foundation for future work to assess the implications of such aeromycological data on public health.

scholarly journals Characterisation of biofluorescent aerosol emissions over winter and summer periods in the United Kingdom

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Forde ◽  
Martin Gallagher ◽  
Virginia Foot ◽  
Roland Sarda-Esteve ◽  
Ian Crawford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Aerosol Particles ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Ultra Violet ◽  
Fungal Spore ◽  
Complete Analysis ◽  
Hierarchical Agglomerative Cluster ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Fluorescent Particles

Abstract. Primary biological aerosol particles (PBAP) are an abundant subset of atmospheric aerosol particles which comprise viruses, bacteria, fungal spores, pollen, and fragments such as plant and animal debris. The abundance and diversity of these particles remain poorly constrained, causing significant uncertainties for modelling scenarios and for understanding the potential implications of these particles in different environments. PBAP concentrations were studied at four different sites in the United Kingdom (Weybourne, Davidstow, Capel Dewi, and Chilbolton) using an ultra-violet light induced fluorescence (UV-LIF) instrument, the Wideband Integrated Bioaerosol Spectrometer (WIBS), versions 3 and 4. Using hierarchical agglomerative cluster (HAC) analysis, particles were statistically discriminated between. Fluorescent particles and clusters were then analysed by assessing their diurnal variation and their relationship to the meteorological variables, temperature and relative humidity, and wind speed and direction. Using local land cover types, sources of the suspected fluorescent particles and clusters were then identified. Most sites exhibited a wet discharged fungal spore dominance, with the exception of one site, Davidstow, which had higher concentrations of bacteria, suggested to result from the presence of a local dairy factory. Differences were identified as to the sources of wet discharged fungal spores, with particles originating from arable and horticultural land at Chilbolton, and improved grassland areas at Weybourne. Total fluorescent particles at Capel Dewi were inferred to comprise two sources, with bacteria originating from the broadleaf and coniferous woodland and wet discharged fungal spores from nearby improved grassland areas, similar to Weybourne. The use of HAC and a higher fluorescence threshold (9SD) produced clusters which were considered to be biological following the complete analysis. More knowledge of the reaction of speciated biological particles to differences in meteorology, such as relative humidity and temperature would aid characterisation studies such as this.

New genera of Paleogene fungal spores

1974 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 953-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
William C. Elsik ◽  
Jan Jansonius
Keyword(s):  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Fungal Spore ◽  
Western Hemisphere ◽  
Northwest Pacific ◽  
New Genera ◽  
New Form

Ctenosporites, Granatisporites, and Pesavis are described as new form genera of fossil fungal spores and spore-like fossils; Striadiporites and Pluricellaesporites are emended. Pesavis and Ctenosporites are geographically restricted to the northwest Pacific and Arctic region. Granatisporites is described to facilitate the classification of fungal spore types ubiquitous over at least the Western Hemisphere.

Well-preserved fungal spores from Jurassic rocks of Hells Canyon on the Idaho–Oregon border

1994 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 664-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfred Traverse ◽  
Sidney R. Ash
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Fungal Spore ◽  
Spores And Pollen ◽  
Marine Animals ◽  
Spore Form ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
Jurassic Rocks ◽  
One New Species ◽  
Hells Canyon

Palynoflorules containing sparse but regularly occurring chitinous-walled fungal, probably ascomycete, spores have been obtained from silty limestone nodules in the Jurassic Coon Hollow Formation in the Wallowa terrane in Hells Canyon, Idaho. The fungal spores are associated with moderately abundant embryophytic spores and pollen that suggest late Early Jurassic to early Middle Jurassic age, which agrees with dating provided by marine animals stratigraphically just above. The fungal spores constitute the most diverse such assemblage of robust-walled spores described from pre-Cretaceous rocks. Two new species of the fossil fungal spore form-genus Diporicellaesporites, D. idahoensis and D. serratulus, and one new species of form-genus Fractisporonites, F. pittsburgensis, are described.

scholarly journals Rain-induced bioecological resuspension of radiocaesium in a polluted forest in Japan

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuyuki Kita ◽  
Yasuhito Igarashi ◽  
Takeshi Kinase ◽  
Naho Hayashi ◽  
Masahide Ishizuka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Ecology ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Fungal Spore ◽  
Radioactive Aerosol ◽  
Exclusion Zone ◽  
Forest Environment ◽  
Major Mechanism ◽  
Research Fields ◽  
Rainy Weather ◽  
Japanese Forest

Abstract It is the conventional understanding that rain removes aerosols from the atmosphere. However, the question of whether rain plays a role in releasing aerosols to the atmosphere has recently been posed by several researchers. In the present study, we show additional evidence for rain-induced aerosol emissions in a forest environment: the occurrence of radiocaesium-bearing aerosols in a Japanese forest due to rain. We carried out general radioactive aerosol observations in a typical mountainous village area within the exclusion zone in Fukushima Prefecture to determine the impacts and major drivers of the resuspension of radiocaesium originating from the nuclear accident in March 2011. We also conducted sampling according to the weather (with and without rain conditions) in a forest to clarify the sources of atmospheric radiocaesium in the polluted forest. We found that rain induces an increase in radiocaesium in the air in forests. With further investigations, we confirmed that the fungal spore sources of resuspended radiocaesium seemed to differ between rainy weather and nonrainy weather. Larger fungal particles (possibly macroconidia) are emitted during rainy conditions than during nonrainy weather, suggesting that splash generation by rain droplets is the major mechanism of the suspension of radiocaesium-bearing mould-like fungi. The present findings indicate that radiocaesium could be used as a tracer in such research fields as forest ecology, meteorology, climatology, public health and agriculture, in which fungal spores have significance.

scholarly journals Relating dung fungal spore influx rates to animal density in a temperate environment: Implications for palaeoecological studies

The Holocene ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eline N van Asperen ◽  
Jason R Kirby ◽  
Helen E Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Background Level ◽  
Fungal Spore ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Large Herbivores ◽  
Fungal Abundance ◽  
The Impact

The management of the remainder of Europe’s once extensive forests is hampered by a poor understanding of the character of the vegetation and drivers of change before the onset of clearance for farming. Pollen data indicate a closed-canopy, mixed-deciduous forest, contrasting with the assertion that large herbivores would have maintained a mosaic of open grassland, regenerating scrub and forested groves. Coprophilous fungal spores from sedimentary sequences are increasingly used as a proxy for past herbivore impact on vegetation, but the method faces methodological and taphonomical issues. Using pollen trap data from a long-running experiment in Chillingham Wild Cattle Park, UK, we investigate the first steps in the mechanisms connecting herbivore density to the incorporation of fungal spores in sediments and assess the effects of environmental variables on this relationship. Herbivore utilisation levels correlate with dung fungal spore abundance. Chillingham is densely populated by large herbivores, but dung fungal spore influx is low. Herbivores may thus be present on the landscape but go undetected. The absence of dung fungal spores is therefore less informative than their presence. Dung fungal spores likely enter the sediment record through a different pathway from wind-borne pollen and thus dung fungal abundance is better expressed as influx rates than as percentage of total pollen. Landscape openness, vegetation type and site wetness do not distort the impact of utilisation levels on dung fungal spore representation. However, dung fungal spore influx varies markedly between seasons and years. Spores travel, leading to a background level of spore deposition across the landscape, and at times a depletion of spores, especially under wet weather conditions. Animal behaviour, as well as husbandry practices, can lead to the accumulation of dung, and thus fungal spores, in specific locations on the landscape that do not directly reflect grazing pressure.

scholarly journals Leveraging a high resolution microfluidic assay reveals insights into pathogenic fungal spore germination

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 603-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Layla J. Barkal ◽  
Naomi M. Walsh ◽  
Michael R. Botts ◽  
David J. Beebe ◽  
Christina M. Hull
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Spore Germination ◽  
Fungal Spores ◽  
Fungal Spore

Germination of a population of pathogenic fungal spores into yeast can be tracked, quantified, and parsed using a microfluidic assay.

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