Little is known about species of myxomycetes associated with vertebrate dung in Australia. In the present study, dung samples of 15 species of mammals (eight marsupials, three native rodents and four domestic or feral eutherians) and a large flightless bird (the southern cassowary, Casuarius casuarius) were collected and processed in 84 moist chamber cultures. Fifty-two percent of these cultures yielded evidence (fruiting bodies and/or plasmodia) of myxomycetes. Eleven species belonging to seven genera were recorded. Licea tenera was the most common species in the study (recorded from 12 moist chamber cultures) and is also a new record for the continent. Perichaena depressa, Didymium difforme and Cribraria violacea were the only other species appearing in at least three cultures. Samples of dung collected from small mammals did not yield any myxomycetes.

Context. Many mycorrhizal fungi are vital to nutrient acquisition in plant communities, and some taxa are reliant on animal-mediated dispersal. The majority of animals that disperse spores are relatively small and have short-distance movement patterns, but carnivores – and especially apex predators – eat many of these small mycophagists and then move greater distances. No studies to date have assessed the ecosystem services carnivores provide through long-distance spore dispersal. Aims. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether Australia's free-ranging dogs (Canis familiaris), including dingoes, act as long-distance spore dispersers by predating smaller mycophagous animals and then secondarily dispersing the fungi consumed by these prey species. Methods. To answerthis question, we collected dingo scats along 40 km of transects in eastern Australia and analysed the scats to determine the presence of fungal spores and prey animals. Using telemetry and passage rate data, we then developed a movement model to predict the spore dispersal potential of dingoes. Key results. We found 16 species of mammalian prey to be eaten by dingoes, and those dingo scats contained spores of 14 genera of mycorrhizal fungi. These fungi were more likely to appear in the scats of dingoes if primary mycophagist prey mammals had been consumed. Our model predicted dingo median spore dispersal distance to be 2050 m and maximum dispersal potential to be 10 700 m. Conclusions. Our study indicates that dingoes are providing a previously overlooked ecosystem service through the long-distance dispersal of mycorrhizal fungi. Many of the fungi found in this study form hypogeous (underground) fruiting bodies that are unable to independently spread spores via wind. Because dingoes move over larger areas than their prey, they are especially important to these ecosystem functions. Implications. Our novel approach to studying an overlooked aspect of predator ecology is applicable in most terrestrial ecosystems. Similar modelling approaches could also be employed to understand the dispersal potential of both primary and secondary spore dispersers globally. Because this study highlights an unrecognised ecosystem service provided by dingoes, we hope that it will stimulate research to develop a more comprehensive understanding of other apex predators' ecosystem functions.

Context. The diversity of myxomycetes associated with Australia’s most diverse native conifer genus, Callitris, has been incompletely studied. Aims. In this study, we examine the diversity of myxomycetes associated with outer bark, fallen cones and dead litter (leaves/ needles) of four Callitris species. Methods. Substrate samples were collected from 13 localities in New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. Samples were used to prepare moist-chamber cultures, and species of associated myxomycetes were identified. Key results. Twenty-three species in 15 genera were recorded. Percentage occurrence of myxomycetes varied depending on substrate, being 87% (cones), 83% (bark) and 63% (litter). Bark yielded the most species (17), followed by litter (10) and cones (6). Only two species ( Arcyria cinerea and S. fusca) were recorded from all three substrates. Substrate pH is often an important factor for the occurrence of myxomycetes, but the mean values recorded for cones (5.7), litter (5.8), and bark (5.9) showed little difference. This suggests that other undetermined factors contributed to the differences in species occurrence. In addition to the records generated in the present study, we provide a list of previous records of myxomycetes found in association with Callitris. Conclusions.This study has highlighted, for the first time, the diversity of myxomycetes associated with members of the genus Callitris and has shown the importance of cypress pines as a substrate for myxomycetes. Implications. This study leads to a better understanding of the biogeography, distribution and ecology of myxomycetes and their associated organisms.