Coprophilous Ascomycetes from Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary and Khao Yai National Park in Thailand

Abstract

The diversity and distribution were studied in samples of dung fungi collected from four species of wildlife and domestic animals (barking deer, buffalo, cow and elephant) in the Khao Yai National Park, Nakhon Ratchasima province and the Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary, Loei province. Different isolation methods, such as the moist chamber, Warcup’s direct plating, soil plate, dilution plate and heat and alcohol treatments were used. Identification of the fungal isolates was based on the morphological characteristics of colony growth on agar media, fruiting bodies and spore ornamentation using stereo, light and scanning electron microscopes. Forty-nine isolates of coprophilous Ascomycetes, comprising 16 genera and 20 species were found, including Ascobolus, Cercophora, Chaetomium, Coprotus, Emericella, Eurotium, Eupenicillium, Gelasinospora, Hamigera, Neosartorya, Podospora, Saccobolus, Sordaria, Sporormiella, Talaromyces and Xylaria. The isolation of Podospora setosa provided a new record of coprophilous Ascomycetes for Thailand.