Скачать или смотреть What Moa Droppings Reveal About Fungi’s Secret Role in Ancient Forests!

Did you know ancient moa droppings hold the key to understanding fungi’s secret role in forest ecosystems? Scientists have identified mysterious fungi, including a bright purple species, preserved in the droppings of New Zealand’s extinct moa. These fungi likely evolved to attract moa, ensuring their spores were spread across forests, boosting ecosystem health. Many of these fungi, called ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi, form underground networks that help trees absorb nutrients and water. With moa extinct, these fungi may no longer spread as they once did, making New Zealand’s forests less resilient to change. In this video, we explore how moa droppings reveal the hidden relationship between fungi and forests, and what this means for our understanding of ancient ecosystems. Don’t miss this fascinating journey into the past and the surprising ways fungi have shaped our natural world!

Source:
1. "DNA and spores from coprolites reveal that colourful truffle-like fungi endemic to New Zealand were consumed by extinct moa (Dinornithiformes)." - Biology Letters, 2025.
( https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2024.0440 )