Association of the coprophilous fungus Pirella circinans with an indigenous beetle on the sub-Antarctic Bird Island

Bridge, P.D.; Hughes, Kevin A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2701-726X; Denton, J.O.. 2008 Association of the coprophilous fungus Pirella circinans with an indigenous beetle on the sub-Antarctic Bird Island. Polar Biology, 31 (6). 657-661. 10.1007/s00300-007-0403-y

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Abstract/Summary

The zygomycete fungus Pirella circinans was isolated from cadavers of the beetle Hydromedion sparsutum from diverse sites on the sub-Antarctic Bird Island and was found to be the dominant or sole fungal coloniser during the primary degradation of cadavers. The fungus was observed to grow and colonise cadavers from discrete areas of the beetle carapace, some of which were not affected by alcohol surface sterilisation. The fungus is commonly reported from the dung of rodents and other small mammals, both of which are absent from Bird Island. Recovery of P. circinans as the only fungus from beetle cadavers is unusual and may indicate a close association between the beetle and the fungus.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1007/s00300-007-0403-y
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Global Science in the Antarctic Context (2005-2009) > Long-Term Monitoring and Survey – Biological Sciences Division
ISSN:	0722-4060
Additional Keywords:	zygomycete; thamnidiaceae; pirella circinans; beetle Hydromedion sparsutum; degradation; molecular identification; coprophilous
NORA Subject Terms:	Biology and Microbiology Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	18 Nov 2010 15:08 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/11407

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