Coprophilous Discomycetes from the Azores

Abstract

Summary. Coprophilous discomycetes from the Azores obtained in the field or from dung samples later incubated in the laboratory are reported based on two visits to the Islands in 1995 and 1996. Other species previously known from the Islands are also noted, making a total of 31 species, of which all except Coprotus, Lasiobolus and Thelebolus belong in the order Pezizales. and later incubated in damp chambers to study the succession of fungi present. In addition, coprophilous fungi were collected directly in the field when encountered on older dung samples, particularly those of cow. The present paper discusses the discomycetes obtained, all of which except Coprotus, Lasiobolus and Thelebolus belong to the order Pezizales. Other coprophilous species previously known from the Islands are also noted, making a total of 31 species. The Azores archipelago, located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge some 1250 km west of the nearest part of Europe, is of tertiary age and comprises nine main islands. These are volcanic in origin and have never been connected to any land mass. Colonisation by European settlers took place during the 15th century, since when the inevitable influence of human activity has had a significant and often severe influence on the native flora and fauna, including the mycological composition of the Islands (Dennis et al. 1977). The Islands have no native herbivorous mammals, although the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has long been established (see Godman 1870) and is evidently now widely naturalised and fairly common. Dung samples obtained during these visits were, therefore, mainly from domesticated species, viz. donkey, horse, cow, goat and sheep, with several samples of rabbit dung and two of uncertain identification, perhaps either goat or sheep (samples no. 4 & 14 below).