Herbivore dung - Have a dung day!

[NickCantle]

Originally Posted by CapAndBracket

Sorry about the photo quality, as soon as i removed dung from damp chamber the fungi started to flag, these are on a rabbit currant and an experiment i mean to re-run a bit better organised. These appeared after a few weeks, having produce pilobolus sp initially. The same species seemed to appear on deer droppings collected at the same time in the same area.

If you get pilobolus.sp growing in a sandwich box you will find their sporagium stuck to the light side of the box demonstrating they are phototropic.

One problem with dung (especially i found with cow dung) is many insect larvae are timed to emerge and take advantage of the fungi, so you can end up with a box of well fed larvae. Apparently it is possible to treat the dung with insecticide but this is an area i hav'nt explored.

Cheers J.P.

I might have to try that JP. Looks good from the photo! I'll ask about that at the next meet

Nick

[CapAndBracket]

May i suggest anyone game to take part, collects dung this weekend, sandwich boxes so loaded and kept moist should produce an interesting photo thread over easter and beyond.

Cheers J.P.

P.S. after that we can start: find the first Calocybe gambosa.

[NickCantle]

I'd be well game for that, the only trouble is, my Girlfriend is down for the weekend, and she might wonder what she'd let herself in for if she realises her hubby is out collecting dung. I'm good for Tuesday though

I'll do that when I can.

Nick

P.s- You're on for 'Who can find the first Calocybe gambosa' though I've no patches So I'd better search for good ground where I reckon they'll pop up

[FungiJohn]

Well, it looks like the dung has hit the fan this time round

It should make for a very interesting Easter ... with or without morels Now where are my petri dishes

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by Fungus Ken

I did an experiment many years ago, growing fungi on sheep dung in petri dishes and identifying the various species that grew.

Unfortunately I needed to put the petri dishes on a window ledge and my wife objected to most of my proposed locations... can't really understand why.

Anyway, at the time my two daughters were both quite young, so my wife eventually compromised and allowed me to use the window sill in their bedroom. My daughters didn't seem to mind and they thought it was quite entertaining when all the little Pilobolus cannons started firing off their black cap of spores. It can shoot some distance and it is sticky so the window was plastered in them.

Ah the good old days.

Ken

This made me laugh Ken

My window sill is still covered in petri dishes! My wife daren't go near it ... in fact, the hoover stops about 3 feet from the back of my chair .. there's a distinct border line in the carpet

The kids ... well 23 and 25 ... they just think I'm mad

[CapAndBracket]

Have made a start this morning, 4 small sandwich boxes/food containers,
one of rabbit dung, one of deer dung, and the other two have cow dung, one sample looks fairly fresh the other old a weather beaten. All have paper towel in the bottom of containers which is well moistened. I've left the lids loose so the fungi can lift them as they grow ))

Cheers J.P.

[NickCantle]

Hope it all goes well J.P. Do keep us all posted!

[CapAndBracket]

Magnifycation 40X

Well i never expected such a speedy start, already the rabbit droppings are producing back and yellow hatted pilobolus.sp.
The deer and cow dung appear to have little jelly spots on them, various colours.

Cheers J.P.

[Fungus Ken]

I think Pilobolus are great. It would be good if it was possible to film them firing their little black caps (sporangia) towards the light. I don't have that facility myself.

I'd love to have another go at culturing dung but I can't get out to collect any with my fractured leg. Perhaps if I leave the front door open a stray sheep may wander in... but it would have to negotiate the hazardous M60 first, so that seems a bit unlikely.

Ken

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by Fungus Ken

I think Pilobolus are great. It would be good if it was possible to film them firing their little black caps (sporangia) towards the light. I don't have that facility myself.

I'd love to have another go at culturing dung but I can't get out to collect any with my fractured leg. Perhaps if I leave the front door open a stray sheep may wander in... but it would have to negotiate the hazardous M60 first, so that seems a bit unlikely.

Ken

I wouldn't mind having a go at recording this Ken. I've certainly got access to the equipment ... mmm watch this space

I'd keep the door closed for sheep until your leg is better Ken. I don't think we could cope if you posted that both your legs were broken