Fungivore

Fungivore is an organism that feeds predominantly on fungi, including macrofungi such as mushrooms and microfungi such as molds and yeasts. Fungivory occurs across a wide range of taxa, from invertebrates such as fungus beetles, springtails, and mites to some mammals in certain ecosystems. In many habitats, fungi provide important nutrient sources, especially where plant resources are scarce or decomposing material is abundant. Fungivores contribute to fungal population control and to the dispersal of fungal spores, and they play a role in nutrient cycling within soils and litter.

Diet and adaptations: Fungivores may consume living fungal tissue, hyphae, spores, or fruiting bodies. Some species specialize on particular fungal groups, while others are generalists. Adaptations include specialized mouthparts or digestive enzymes capable of breaking down fungal cell walls, which are rich in chitin and glucans, as well as tolerance to fungal secondary metabolites. In some ecosystems, fungivores form part of detrital food webs and interact with other detritivores and predators.

Ecology and significance: Fungivory is common in leaf litter, soil, decaying wood, and other moist, shaded habitats where fungi thrive. Fungivores influence fungal community composition and decomposition rates, contributing to nutrient recycling and energy flow in ecosystems. The relationship between fungivores and fungi can range from mutualistic to competitive, depending on environmental context and fungal species.

See also: mycophagy, detritivory.