Habitat differences of coprophilous fungi on moose dung

This study aimed to test whether fungal community on moose (Alces alces) dung is affected by habitat. We used dung of homogenous origin, composition, and age. Dung was placed in three different habitats in north-eastern Sweden, and was checked again after 35-36 d. Of the 26 species of fungi found, 12 were new to the region, 17 had never been observed on moose dung, and two were not previously described. We found a significant difference in species composition between the habitats, with a low number of species in the spruce forest and about a threefold increase in the pine forest and the open mire. Species diversity was negatively associated with degree of insect attack. This suggests that insects feeding either on the dung or the fungi (spores, mycelia) may be an important factor explaining the observed pattern. In order to test this hypothesis we need to run experiments excluding insects.