Consumption of hypogeous and epigeous fungi by the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in subalpine conifer forests

摘要: Abstract The consumption of epigeous and hypogeous fungi by red squirrels Sciurus vulgaris in subalpine conifer forests the Alps was studied determining presence taxa (genus level) fungal spores fecal samples. Nearly all live-trapped summer autumn had eaten fruit bodies fungi, but only some animals consumed genus Boletus and/or Laccaria . From two (spring) up to nine (summer–autumn) genera were eaten. mean number per mg material differed between study areas seasons. Fruit hypogeous, a lesser extent epigeous, seem present an important seasonal food resource for Alps. We suggest that squirrels, having large home range size dispersal distances, are likely play major role as spore agent fungi.