Abstract
Simple SummaryFungi inhabiting bird nests may pose a serious threat to living organisms. Therefore, the main goal of the study was to identify cultivable fungi in the nest of grey heron (Ardea cinerea) located near the city centre of Wrocław (Poland). Overall, 10 different fungal species were obtained which were both cosmopolitan and potentially hazardous to humans, homoiothermous animals and plants. The greatest number of fungal species was obtained from the nest fragments with visible fungal growth, and the least from western conifer seed bugs (Leptoglossus occidentalis) inhabiting the nests. The damp chamber allowed isolation of Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium coprophilum, and P. griseofulvum as directly related to the occurrence of visible fungal growth on plant fragments of grey heron nests.There are many positive relationships between micromycetes and birds: They can spread fungal spores, and fungi facilitate cavity woodpecker excavation by preparing and modifying excavation sites. In turn, bird nests are mainly a source of potentially zoopathogenic fungi. The Wrocław city centre hosts the biggest grey heron breeding colony in Poland with at least 240 breeding birds pairs. To assess the possible public health risks associated with bird nests, the goal of the present study was to identify cultivable fungi present in the nests of grey herons (Ardea cinerea) in Wrocław. Additionally, attempts were made to determine whether the obtained species of fungi may pose a potential threat to animal health. Fungi were cultured at 23 and 37 ± 0.5 °C, and identified based on phenotypic and genotypic traits. Moreover, during routine inspection, visible fungal growth in some of the nests was found. Overall, 10 different fungal species were obtained in the study (Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Botryotrichum piluliferum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Epicoccum layuense, Mucor circinelloides, M. hiemalis, Penicillium atramentosum, P. coprophilum, and P. griseofulvum). They are both cosmopolitan species and a source of potential threat to humans, homoiothermous animals and plants. The greatest number of fungal species was obtained from the nest fragments with visible fungal growth incubated at 23 °C, and the least from western conifer seed bugs (Leptoglossus occidentalis) inhabiting the nests. The species such as A. fumigatus, P. coprophilum, and P. griseofulvum can be directly related to the occurrence of visible fungal growth on plant fragments of grey heron’s nests.
Highlights
Micromycetes associated with birds might constitute a potential threat to other animals and to humans, leading to zoonotic diseases including cryptococcosis, or histoplasmosis [9,10]
The further phenotypical and molecular analyses of the isolates enabled their identification into two different phyla, five orders, and seven genera, including 10 different species, i.e., Alternaria alternata, Epicoccum layuense (Ascomycota, Pleosporales); Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium atramentosum, Penicillium coprophilum, Penicillium griseofulvum (Ascomycota, Eurotiales); Botryotrichum piluliferum (Ascomycota, Sordariales), Cladosporium cladosporioides (Ascomycota, Cladosporiales); Mucor circinelloides, Mucor hiemalis (Mucoromycota, Mucorales)
The most fungal species (n = 10) were isolated from the tested samples incubated at 23 ± 0.5 ◦ C, and only two species at 37 ± 0.5 ◦ C
Summary
Birds-associated fungi can play either positive, neutral or negative roles in ecosystems [1–7]. Fungi allow excavator birds (such as woodpeckers), softening wood, while the birds may facilitate fungal spore dispersion [1,2]. Some bird species feast on fungi (54 bird species in 27 families), while others use fungal rhizomorphs in their nests conditions of the Creative Commons. Micromycetes associated with birds might constitute a potential threat to other animals and to humans, leading to zoonotic diseases including cryptococcosis, or histoplasmosis [9,10]. Fungal infections in birds are common and might involve aspergillosis, candidosis, cryptococcosis, rhodotoruliasis, or mucormycosis [11,12]. Specific environmental conditions, such as high humidity, might promote fungal growth. Such fungal infections have mainly opportunistic nature [4–7]
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