Chapter 9 - Interactions with Humans and Other Animals

Abstract

Interactions between fungi and animals are very different from those with plants because both fungi and animals are heterotrophs. Fungi and their lifestyles are very diverse, and there is similarly broad diversity among animals, thus interactions between the two are many and varied. Interactions can be direct or indirect, and can be beneficial or detrimental to either or both of the interacting partners. Fungi use the tissues of vertebrates, including humans, and invertebrates as food sources, causing detrimental effects to host animals. Animals also eat fungal mycelia and fruit bodies, as well as lichen thalli. However, associations have also evolved between fungi and animals that, rather than having negative impacts, are based on mutual benefit. The benefits are commonly nutritional, but also often include other additional or even sole benefits, such as the provision of a suitable environment, protection against antagonists, and carriage of fungal propagules.