Investigations into the niche specialisation of the coprophilous mycoflora, with reference to herbivore faeces

Abstract

The experiments carried out in this study were initial investigations into a subject that has hitherto been overlooked by professional mycologists. The results confirmed that some items in a 'classical succession' of coprophilous fungi could appear on samples of macerated grass from grazed fields on incubation in the laboratory. This is a stimulating observation and there is great scope for more experimental work to be undertaken. The purpose of this appendix therefore, is to outline further work that would have been attempted had time permitted. Some of the experimental work is short-term, that is, for periods of several weeks, while other projects are long-term, for periods of a year.