Evidence for adaptation of colourful truffle-like fungi for birds in Aotearoa-New Zealand.

ABSTRACT: Propagule dispersal is a crucial aspect of the survival and reproduction of sessile organisms, such as plants and fungi. As such, the colours of fleshy fruits serve as a visual cue for animal dispersers. However, little is known about how, or whether, specific traits of fungal fruiting bodies, such as colour or shape, attract animal dispersers, and additionally the identities of fungal dispersers are poorly understood. Globally, most truffle-like fungi are dull-coloured, subterranean, and likely have scents that are attractive to mammalian dispersers. In Aotearoa-New Zealand, however, brightly coloured truffle-like fungi that emerge from the forest floor have seemingly proliferated. This proliferation has prompted the hypothesis that they are adapted to dispersal by a bird-dominated fauna.

SUBMITTER: Brunton-Martin A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11324954 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature