Homeland

P. crystallinus is an obligate coprophilous meaning that is has to live on dung to survive. Dung as it turns out is an excellent source of nitrogen and other essential elements. It is also an excellent place to live because it is a relatively low competition environment if you are equipped like P. crystallinus to handle the conditions. P. crystallinus has been found just about anywhere there is herbivore dung including Europe, Australia, the United States (Ohio, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and many states). The organisms that do compete with this fungus for food include: nematodes, other saprobic fungi species, and many different species of bacteria. The most important way that P. crystallinus has adapted to this environment is by developing an effective means in which to disperse its spores to promote future generations.

©2007 by Ashley Seidler

This page was developed for Biology 203 (Organismal Biology) at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse

Last updated April 27, 2007

Contact me: seidler_ashl@students.uwlax.edu