Physical properties of fungal rhizomorphs of marasmioid basidiomycetes used as nesting material by birds |
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Authors: | BERND P. FREYMANN |
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Affiliation: | Alexander Koenig Research Institute and Museum of Zoology, Leibniz Institute for Terrestrial Biodiversity, Research Group: Biology and Phylogeny of Tropical Birds, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany |
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Abstract: | The use of fungal rhizomorphs of marasmioid fungi ('horsehair fungi') as nesting material, especially by tropical bird species, is a widespread but poorly documented phenomenon. I show in this first experimental examination of the physical properties of 'horsehair fungi', that the fungal rhizomorphs utilized by Icterus pustulatus have a significantly higher tensile strength and reduced water uptake than alternative fibres used to build nests. These results suggest an adaptive advantage for the use of marasmioid fungi in nest construction. |
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Keywords: | Horsehair fungi Icteridae nest construction Streak-backed Oriole tensile strength water uptake |
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