Fungal consumption by marsupials in southern Tasmania

In Australia, many mycophagous (fungus feeding) mammals that disperse fungal spores are extinct or threatened throughout much of their historic range. Using live-trapping, we collected scats from eastern bettongs (Bettongia gaimardi), long-nosed potoroos (Potorous tridactylus), brush-tailed possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), eastern barred bandicoots (Perameles gunnii) and southern brown bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus) at two sites in southern Tasmania. Microscopic analysis of scats revealed that all species in this study consumed fungi (over 24 fungal taxa), and the composition varied between some species and sites. This study highlights the need for additional research to gain insight into the ecological implications of spore dispersal by native marsupials.