Microfungivores

Microfungivores are organisms that feed on microscopic fungi, including fungal hyphae, spores, and yeast-like cells. They form a functional group in soil, leaf litter, and aquatic sediments and span a range of taxa from protists to small metazoans. In soils, protozoa such as ciliates and testate amoebae graze on hyphae and spores, while fungivorous nematodes feed on hyphal tissue and spores. Microarthropods, including some mites and springtails, also consume fungal material and can aid in dispersing fungal propagules.

Ecological roles: by consuming fungi, microfungivores influence fungal community composition and activity, thereby affecting decomposition rates and nutrient mineralization. They can contribute to disease suppression by reducing the abundance of plant-pathogenic fungi and by altering competitive interactions among fungi. Through their own metabolism and excretion, they channel fungal-derived carbon and nitrogen to higher trophic levels, linking fungal growth to broader soil food webs. They may also contribute to spore dispersal and hyphal fragmentation, impacting fungal colonization and succession.

Habitats and drivers: microfungivores are common in soil and sediment environments with detectable fungal biomass; their abundance is governed by moisture, pH, temperature, and the availability of fungal prey.

Methods: researchers study microfungivory using microcosm experiments, microscopy, DNA-based surveys, and stable isotope tracing to resolve trophic links and fluxes within soil and aquatic ecosystems.