DETERMINATION OF COPROPHILOUS FUNGAL SPECIES AND THEIR DIVERSITY ON THE DUNG SUBSTRATES

Coprophils represent a diverse community of morphologically and physiologically specialised mycota which provides a biological force for the decomposition and recycling of animal faeces. Hence in the present investigation 12 fungal species were isolated from 3 herbivorous animal dung samples (Cow, Horse and Goat) collected from 3 areas (Rahuri, Sangamner and Shrirampur Tahsils). In that 6 microfungi and 4 macrofungi were observed. In the present study, 12 species of coprophilous fungi belonged to 3 classes. The majority of isolated species were belonging to Ascomycetes (05) followed by Basidiomycetes (04) and Zygomycetes (03) species. The highest number of isolated species were found associated with domestic Cow dung samples while minimal number with goat dung samples.