Authors
Todd F Elliott, Michelle A Jusino, James M Trappe, Heino Lepp, Guy-Anthony Ballard, Jeremy J Bruhl, Karl Vernes
Publication date
2019/9
Source
Fungal Diversity
Volume
98
Issue
1
Pages
161-194
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Description
Symbiotic associations between mammals and fungi have been well documented and are widely regarded as vital to ecosystem functions around the world. Symbioses between birds and fungi are also ecologically vital but have been far less thoroughly studied. This manuscript is the first to review a wide range of symbiotic associations between birds and fungi. We compile the largest list to date of bird species reported to eat fungi (54 bird species in 27 families) and follow up with a discussion of these symbioses and suggestions for how future studies can determine the prevalence of associations between birds and fungi. We review the importance of fungi for cavity-excavating birds and show that at least 30 bird species in three families form varying levels of associations with fungi for cavity excavation. We also review the use of fungal rhizomorphs in nest construction and show that 176 bird species in 37 …
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