Herbivore dung - Have a dung day!

[FungiJohn]

Considering the great variation in the feeding habits, habitats, and digestive systems of herbivores such as cows and horses, it is no surprise that we find a range of fungi associated with dung (coprophilous fungi). All classes of fungi are found on dung, with the Zygomycetes usually appearing first, followed by the Ascomycetes, and finally the Basidiomycetes.

So why not spend a day looking at dung

Maybe we could have a competition to see who can photograph the best species (I mean of fungi associated with dung). Seriously though, now is a good time to start looking.

I’m just waiting for the replies …. What a load of dung

John

[nightshade]

I had a look at some dung yesterday,the landowner was very proud of it because the cattle are not wormed there are a lot of insect eggs/larva in it which is loved by birds and bats!

[FungiJohn]

I've bumped this thread up again
If the morels don't show up it's a good alternative

[NickCantle]

That's a good idea like. I'm well up for going out looking at dung Seriously though, we did see some the other day. The tiny orange bubbles. This does come with health warnings though, but I might be a complete idiot and ignore these...because I'm a bit stupid like that.

[FungiJohn]

Worth a day Nick Providing people take the obvious precautions, it's fine.
I mean .. Just look at me

[Deer Stalker]

Got this one back in December.

[goosey]

Here is Cheilymenia stercorea, I found 30-12-07 on Highland cattle dung

[FungiJohn]

These are excellent examples ... bring out your dung more .. more
I'm not sure what that first one is

[FungiJohn]

Here’s Cheilymenia fimicola on cow dung

[Deer Stalker]

Originally Posted by FungiJohn

These are excellent examples ... bring out your dung more .. more
I'm not sure what that first one is

Nail Fungus - Poronia punctata.

Rare, but plenty in the New Forest.

[Dogghound]

Ive noticed alot of different types of fungi on dung. I will get afew photo's together hopefully someone will give me ID's. Dung is lovely stuff i often look for insects on it, they love it like the fungi does.

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by Deer Stalker

Nail Fungus - Poronia punctata.

Rare, but plenty in the New Forest.

Many thanks ... It just shows how much I look in the gallery

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Ive noticed alot of different types of fungi on dung. I will get afew photo's together hopefully someone will give me ID's. Dung is lovely stuff i often look for insects on it, they love it like the fungi does.

That would be great Keep us updated on any finds.
John

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by FungiJohn

That would be great Keep us updated on any finds.
John

I will do John, im fortunate in that respect as there are cattle and sheep in close proximity to my house, so ill see what i can find, will be interesting to see if there are any correlations in species. Hopefully go tomorrow before work.

[flaxton]

I collected some Fox dung and am waiting to see what grows

Mal

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by flaxton

I collected some Fox dung and am waiting to see what grows

Mal

Interesting i wouldnt imagen carnivore dung to be as good, with less vegetable matter in it. But who knows unless you try it.

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by flaxton

I collected some Fox dung and am waiting to see what grows

Mal

I can't wait Mal

[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.

[Fungus Ken]

Originally Posted by Deer Stalker

Got this one back in December.

Nice find. I've never found Poronia punctata myself, although I have seen it on a foray down in that area.

Ken

[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

[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.