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The survival of microfungi in the nests of Tree-Sparrow [Passer montanus L.] in the nest-boxes over the winter season

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Abstract

At the mycological examination of eleven nest-boxes of the Tree-Sparrow (Passer montanus L.) after the winter season a significant increase of the total number of fungi was ascertained in comparison with the investigation of the same boxes in the previous summer; especially the cellulolytic fungi increased (generaPenicillium, Scopulariopsis, Chrysosporium et al.) but also the potentially zoopathogenic (ascertainedAspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Mucor pusillus et al.) and toxinogenic fungi (e.g.Asp. flavus); a moderate-statistically insignificant-decrease in the number of isolates and species of keratinolytic fungi took place (in spring foundArthroderma ciferrii, A. quadrifidum andAphanoascus fulvescens). In some fungi not only survival but also colonization of the substrate in the winter and early-spring period were proved. As main factors conditioning the survival of fungi in the nest-boxes over the winter were ascertained the composition of the substrate, its temperature and humidity. The limiting abiotic factor is before all the low temperature, inhibiting the development of nonpsychorphilic fungi. On the base of various changes of the physical and chemical conditions of the environment an attempt of explaining the dynamics of some ascertained fungi in accordance with literary statements is presented. The proved overwintering of some potentially pathogenic fungi in the microhabitat supplies to the studies of this kind an epidemiologic and epizootologic importance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Parasitology, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, 16632, Prague

    Z. Hubálek

  2. Institute of Vertebrates Zoology, Czcchoslovak Academy of Sciences, Brno

    F. Balát

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  1. Z. Hubálek
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  2. F. Balát
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Hubálek, Z., Balát, F. The survival of microfungi in the nests of Tree-Sparrow [Passer montanus L.] in the nest-boxes over the winter season. Mycopathologia et Mycologia Applicata 54, 517–530 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02050056

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