Acoprophilous fungus (dung-lovingfungus)^[1] is a type ofsaprobic fungus that grows on animaldung. The hardy spores of coprophilous species are unwittingly consumed by herbivores from vegetation, and are excreted along with the plant matter. The fungi then flourish in the faeces, before releasing their spores to the surrounding area.

Coprophilous fungi release theirspores to the surrounding vegetation, which is then eaten byherbivores. The spores then remain in the animal as the plants aredigested, pass through the animal'sintestines and are finallydefecated. The fruiting bodies of the fungi then grow from the animal feces.^[2] It is essential that the spores of the species then reach new plant material; spores remaining in the feces will produce nothing. As such, some species have developed means of discharging spores a large distance.^[3] An example of this is the genusPilobolus. Fruiting bodies ofPilobolus will suddenly rupture, sending the contents over 2 metres away.^[4]

Animal feces provide an environmentrich in nitrogenous material as well as variousenzymes from the animal'sdigestive system. The spores themselves survive digestion by being particularly thick-walled, allowing them to germinate in the dung with minimum competition from other organisms.^[2] This thick wall is often broken down during digestion, readying the spore for germination.^[1] The spores are so hardy that samples of dried dung can later be rehydrated, allowing the fungus to fruit weeks later.^[5]

The distribution of coprophilous fungi is closely linked to the distribution of the herbivores on which they rely, such as rabbits, deer, cattle, horses and sheep.^[2] Some species rely on a specific species for dung; for instance,Coprinus radiatus andPanaeolus campanulatus grow almost exclusively on horse feces,^[6] while others, such asPanaeolus sphinctrinus, can grow on any feces or even just particularlyfertile soil.^[6] Further, some species (such asConocybe rickenii) can be found in large numbers in areas wheremanure has been used as a soilfertilizer, such as in gardens.^[7] Some coprophilous fungi are also known to grow from the dung ofomnivores (such asChaetomium globisporum fromrat droppings) or evencarnivores (such asChaetomium rajasthanense, fromtiger feces).^[8]

Although not all coprophilous fungi produce mushrooms, there are many that do, particularly in the generaCoprinopsis,Panaeolus andDeconica.^[1] Known species include:

• Bolbitius vitellinus^[2]
• Conocybe moseri^[9]
• Conocybe pubescens^[2]
• Conocybe rickenii^[7]
• Coprinopsis acuminata
• Coprinopsis cinerea
• Coprinopsis narcotica^[7]
• Coprinopsis patouillardii^[7]
• Coprinopsis radiata^[6]
• Crucibulum laeve^[10]
• Cyathus stercoreus^[10]
• Deconica coprophila^[11]
• Deconica merdaria^[11]
• Panaeolus papilionaceus^[6]
• Panaeolus semiovatus^[6]
• Protostropharia^[11] (all species)
• Psilocybe cubensis
• Psilocybe fimetaria
• Psilocybe liniformans

• Pegler, David N. (1983).Mushrooms and Toadstools. London: Mitchell Beazley Publishing. pp. 162–165.ISBN 0-85533-500-9.