Fungivory

Fungivory is a feeding strategy in which an organism derives nutrition from fungi. It encompasses consuming fungal tissues and resources at various life stages, including fruiting bodies (such as mushrooms and brackets), hyphae, mycelium in substrates, spores, and yeasts. Fungivory can be a primary dietary habit or occur as a supplement within a broader omnivorous or detritivorous diet.

Fungivores exploit fungi in multiple ways. Invertebrates such as certain beetles that specialize on fungal fruiting bodies, fungus gnats whose larvae feed on fungal hyphae, woodlice, millipedes, and many slugs and snails commonly browse fungi. Some social insects cultivate fungi as a food source and subsequently consume the cultivated fungus. Vertebrate fungivory is comparatively less common but has been documented in some primates and small mammals, as well as incidental consumption by other species.

Ecologically, fungivory contributes to nutrient cycling and fungal population dynamics. By feeding on fungi, fungivores can influence decomposition rates, fungal diversity, and the dispersal of fungal propagules through their droppings, aiding in spore spread for certain species. Adaptations for fungivory include mouthparts and digestive systems suited to processing fungal tissue, as well as sensory mechanisms that help locate fungal fruiting bodies and colonies.

The term fungivore is used to describe this feeding habit, with related terms such as mycophagy and mycophagist appearing in broader discussions of fungi-based diets. Fungivory is studied across ecology, entomology, and mycology to understand interactions between fungi and their animal consumers.