Coprophilous Mucorales (Mucoromycota) from Caatinga

Herbivore dung is a favorable substrate for growing Mucorales (Mucoromycota) fungi. However, the Mucorales community of many animals dungs is unknown, especially of animals from the Caatinga area. Furthermore, it is not known whether the gut type of these animals influences the structure of the dung-inhabiting Mucorales community. Thus, this study aimed to assess the community mucoralean fungi on herbivores dung from Caatinga and analyze whether the digestive system (ruminant and monogastric) modulate the mucoralean community on dung of animals. We found eighteen species (10 genera). Pilobolus and Mucor were the most representative genera and Thamnostylum piriforme was the most frequent species. The species richness, diversity, and evenness of fungal communities did not differ significantly between the dungs of ruminant and monogastric herbivores. The Mucorales communities on horse and donkey dung were more similar. An identification key to all coprophilous Mucorales from Caatinga is presented. This study confirms knowledge about the ecological aspects of coprophilous fungi and raises new ecological perspectives about these Caatinga microorganisms.