Dung fungi as a proxy for megaherbivores: opportunities and limitations for archaeological applications

摘要: The use of spores coprophilous fungi from sedimentary sequences as proxy evidence for large herbivore abundance has garnered pronounced attention and scrutiny over the past three decades. In response to rapid rate at which new information is being discovered on this topic, paper presents a brief review archaeological applications so far, outlines opportunities limitations using Sporormiella abundance. Specific uses include understanding megaherbivore extinctions human land patterns such pastoralism agriculture. We analyse how dung fungal records are formed mycological literature outline factors affecting spore reproduction preservation. These strongly each commonly used taxon relies substrate environmental deposition. Certain laboratory preparation techniques adversely affect representation pollen slides. methods analysis quantification also impact our understanding. describe good practice increase precision analytical methods. Due imposed by some these factors, it possible that an absence palaeoecological record does not imply herbivores. However, consideration inclusion wide range increases reliability inferences.