Effects of Animals Grazing on Fungi

Abstract

Fungivores of soil and litter are found in several animal groups, including mites, springtails, annelids and nematodes. Grazing of mycelium can modify the fungal community. Typically, grazing is selective. Feeding on a dominant fungus promotes greater fungal diversity by suppression of a mycelium which otherwise would be more abundant. By contrast, grazing on a fungus which is not dominant acts to reinforce established patterns of competition and further polarize the community, reducing diversity. Species richness can be reduced by the elimination of fungi by particularly intense grazing. Fungal responses to grazing vary. New growth can occur from previously inactive hyphae, but grazing can have strong negative impact on growth and metabolism of the hyphae which remain. Modifications to fungal growth are also seen in response to grazing of fungi on wood substrates. Overall, a picture emerges from studies under controlled conditions of a significant role for grazing to shape the fungal communities seen in the field.