A microcosmic experimental overview of durability and nutritional aspects of feces to dung-inhabiting fungi development.

Abstract

Dung serves as a critical resource for diverse organisms, including dung-inhabiting fungi, which play a key role in nutrient cycling. In this study, we examined the decomposition rates and half-lives of dung from ruminant and monogastric herbivores in a microcosm experiment, assessing the impact of autoclaving (fungal exclusion) on decomposition dynamics. Over six months, autoclaved dung decomposed more slowly, retaining greater biomass and highlighting the fungi's role in matter cycling. Decomposition followed a Gaussian linear model, with constants k ranging from 0.02 to 0.03 and half-lives of 19-23 days. Nutrient mineralization varied significantly between the start and end of the experiment, underscoring the contribution of the fungi to nutrient release. Our findings emphasize the ecological importance of dung-inhabiting fungi and suggest areas for future research on factors influencing dung decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems.