Emma Wilson
Organisms that consume fungi are known as fungivores or mycophagous. Many organisms, including birds, mammals, insects, plants, amoebas, gastropods, nematodes, bacteria, and other fungi, have been observed to obtain their energy by consuming fungi. Some of these organisms, known as fungivores, rely solely on fungi as their food source, while others include fungi as only a small part of their diet, making them omnivores. Interestingly, certain species of fungi, such as oyster mushrooms, have been observed to exhibit carnivorous behavior by hunting, trapping, and consuming live prey. This challenges the traditional view of mushrooms as solely decomposers of organic matter and expands our understanding of their ecological roles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are mushrooms omnivores? | No, mushrooms are not omnivores. They are considered fungivores or mycophagous. |
| Examples of fungivores | Birds, mammals, insects, plants, amoebas, gastropods, nematodes, bacteria, other fungi, and humans |
| Examples of mycophagous | Jays (Perisoreus), Canada jays, Siberian jays, Oregon jays, Euprenolepis procera (a species of ant), beetles, termites, slugs, and emus |
| Are there carnivorous mushrooms? | Yes, carnivorous mushrooms are predatory on nematodes and insects. Examples include oyster mushrooms and beefsteak shelf fungi. |
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What You'll Learn
Animals that eat mushrooms
Mushrooms are not omnivores, but they are consumed by a diverse range of animals. Some of these animals are exclusive fungivores, while others include mushrooms as part of a broader diet. Here are some examples of animals that eat mushrooms:
Mammals
Mammals that eat mushrooms include squirrels, deer, bears, rabbits, and pigs or wild boars. Squirrels, in particular, have a fondness for truffle-like fungi, which they dig up and leave to dry on tree limbs before consuming. Deer and bears are able to safely consume certain mushrooms that would be toxic to humans.
Insects
Various insects are attracted to mushrooms, including flies, snails, slugs, ants, and beetles. Slugs from distinct families, such as Philomycidae and Ariolimacidae, feed on specific types of mushrooms and slime molds. Ants from the rainforests of Southeast Asia, specifically Euprenolepis procera, have been observed to have a diet consisting almost entirely of mushrooms.
Birds
Birds, such as Canada jays, Siberian jays, Oregon jays, and the southern cassowary of Australia, are also known to consume mushrooms as part of their diet. Mycophagy, the practice of eating mushrooms, has been recorded in several bird species.
Other Organisms
In addition to the animals mentioned above, other organisms such as amoebas, gastropods, nematodes, bacteria, and even other fungi (mycoparasitism) are known to consume fungi.
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Mushrooms that eat animals
While mushrooms are not omnivores, they are consumed by a variety of organisms, including birds, mammals, insects, plants, amoebas, gastropods, nematodes, bacteria, and other fungi. Some of these are considered fungivores, as they only eat fungi, while others are omnivores that include fungi as part of their diet.
Mammals
Mammals that eat mushrooms include squirrels, deer, bears, and rabbits. Squirrels have a particular fondness for truffle-like fungi, which they dig up and leave to dry on tree limbs before consuming. Deer have the ability to safely consume certain mushrooms that would be toxic to humans. Bears, known for their omnivorous diet, also enjoy eating mushrooms, especially during the summer months. Rabbits gain rich nutrients by digging up and consuming fungi, which supplements their primarily grass-based diet.
Insects
Various insects are attracted to mushrooms, including slugs, snails, flies, ants, and termites. Slugs are known to feed on mushrooms such as milk-caps, oyster mushrooms, and penny buns. Snails help in the decomposition of wood, leaves, and waste materials, aiding in the forest's growth and lifecycle. Flies are attracted to the spore-filled gleba of stinkhorn mushrooms, which mimic the smell of rotting flesh. Ants, such as the Euprenolepis procera species from the rainforests of Southeast Asia, have been observed to have a diet consisting almost entirely of mushrooms. Termites of the subfamily Macrotermitinae cultivate the Termitomyces fungus, consuming the immature mushrooms that are rich in protein, sugars, and enzymes.
Birds
Birds are also known to consume mushrooms, although documentation of mycophagy in birds is considered incomplete. The southern cassowary of Australia includes bracket fungi as part of its diet. Jays, including the Canada jay, Siberian jay, and Oregon jay, have been recorded to eat mushrooms, with the Siberian jay's stomach containing mostly fungi in early winter.
Other Organisms
In addition to the organisms mentioned above, other fungi also consume mushrooms. Mycoparasitism occurs when a fungus feeds on another fungus, although our understanding of this phenomenon in natural environments is limited. The fungal genus Trichoderma produces enzymes that degrade the cell walls of other fungi.
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Humans eating mushrooms
Mushrooms are a fungus, and humans are among the many mammals that eat them. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average American consumes approximately three pounds of mushrooms per year. Humans have been cultivating mushrooms for a long time, with over 20 species commercially cultivated in at least 60 countries.
There are many reasons why humans eat mushrooms. One is their unique, savoury flavour, which can enhance the taste of meals without adding a lot of fat, calories, or sodium. Another reason is their nutritional value. Mushrooms are the only produce that contains vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium for strong bones. They are also a source of vitamin B6, which helps the body form red blood cells, proteins, and DNA. Shiitake mushrooms, in particular, are a good source of vitamin B6.
Consuming mushrooms also has health benefits. A review of 17 cancer studies from 1966 to 2020 showed that eating just 18 grams of mushrooms a day may lower the risk of cancer by up to 45%. Additionally, mushrooms are a powerful source of ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant that prevents or slows cellular damage. They also contain polysaccharides, their most abundant carbohydrate, which stimulates the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut.
However, it is important to exercise caution when consuming mushrooms. Some mushrooms are deadly poisonous and can cause fatal poisonings, such as the Amanita phalloides, also known as the death cap. Even normally edible mushrooms may be dangerous if they grow in polluted locations, as they can absorb chemicals and accumulate pollutants and heavy metals, sometimes in lethal concentrations. Therefore, great care should be taken when eating any fungus for the first time, and only small quantities should be consumed to prevent potential allergic reactions.
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Slugs eating mushrooms
Slugs are hermaphroditic creatures that are attracted to gardens because of the shade, moisture, and abundance of tender vegetation. They are also drawn to mushrooms, which are a significant food source for them. Slugs from various families, such as Philomycidae and Ariolimacidae, have a preference for specific types of fungi. For example, Ariolimax californianus feeds on mushrooms, while Philomycus carolinianus consumes slime molds.
Slugs have a diverse diet, including mushrooms like milk-caps, oyster mushrooms, and penny buns. They also feed on fungi from different genera, such as Agaricus, Pleurocybella, and Russula. Some slugs exhibit selective behavior, favoring certain parts or developmental stages of fungi. Their preference varies, and certain species of slugs consume fungi only at specific stages of development.
The presence of slugs in a garden can be discerned through telltale signs. Mushrooms with nibbled edges and small holes often indicate slug activity. Additionally, the glistening trails of clear slime on mushrooms, decaying plants, or even spider webs are indicative of slug movement in the area.
Slugs thrive in environments with high humidity and damp vegetation. Foggy mornings and frequent rain showers provide ideal conditions for slugs as they require moisture to survive. While some gardeners may view slugs with disgust, others find them fascinating. Understanding the behavior and preferences of slugs can help gardeners devise strategies to protect their gardens while also appreciating the role of slugs in the ecosystem.
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Ants eating mushrooms
In 2008, researchers discovered the first ant species with a diet consisting almost entirely of mushrooms. The Euprenolepis procera, a species of ant from the rainforests of Southeast Asia, represented a previously unknown feeding strategy in ants. This unusual ability to subsist primarily on fungi is due to their capacity to digest fungal material, allowing them to exploit a niche with minimal competition from other species.
Ant-fungus mutualism, or symbiosis, is observed between specific ant and fungal species. In this relationship, ants actively cultivate fungi as a food source, resembling how humans farm crops. Attine ants and ants from the Megalomyrmex genus are the only two known instances of this agricultural evolution, resulting in their dependence on fungi for nourishment. The leafcutter ant is a well-known example of this symbiosis, found in southern South America and extending up to the United States.
Fungus-growing ants, including the Attini tribe (subfamily Myrmicinae), are obligatory fungicultivists. They propagate, nurture, and defend Lepiotaceae and other types of basidiomycete fungus. In exchange, the fungus provides nutrients that accumulate in specialized structures called gongylidia, which are rich in lipids and carbohydrates. This mutualistic relationship also involves other organisms, indicating a complex community of symbionts.
Leafcutter ants practice a sophisticated form of agriculture known as leafcutter agricultural systems. They create the optimal environment for their fungi by using living biomass as a substrate, which is unique compared to other types of agriculture that rely on dead biomass. Additionally, they are selective about the substrates they use, favoring freshly cut grass, leaves, and flowers over the ancestral substrates of plant, wood, arthropod, and flower detritus used by their lower attine counterparts.
While leafcutter ants are often associated with farming fungi, it is important to note that they do not consume the resulting mushrooms. Instead, they attack and remove the lamellae, or gills, on the underside of the mushroom cap where spores are formed. This behavior suggests that the presence of mushrooms may not be beneficial to the system, and researchers are investigating its potential impact on the colony.
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Frequently asked questions
No, mushrooms are not omnivores. Fungi are decomposers, and while they do not hunt animals, some species of mushrooms are carnivorous and predatory.
Some carnivorous mushrooms include the oyster mushroom, chicken-of-the-woods, and the beefsteak shelf fungus.
Carnivorous mushrooms employ various strategies to catch their prey. For example, the oyster mushroom releases toxins to paralyze nematodes before consuming them.
Many different organisms, including birds, mammals, insects, plants, amoebas, gastropods, nematodes, bacteria, and other fungi, have been recorded to gain their energy from consuming fungi. Some of these are called fungivores, while others are omnivores that include fungi as part of their diet.
Yes, several beetle families, including the Erotylidae, Endomychidae, and certain Tenebrionidae, are specialists in consuming fungi. Other insects, like fungus gnats and scuttle flies, also utilize fungi during their larval stage.
