Kangaroos and wallabies as carriers of Basidiobolus haptosporus

Abstract

This fungus is a cause of cutaneous phycomycosis of horses in northern Australia. Of 162 macropods cultured for fungi, 14 of seven species yielded 17 isolates-15 from faeces and one each from stomach contents and small intestinal contents. Seven were identified as B. haptosporus, the other ten had lost the ability to sporulate. Faecal samples from 23 possums, 7 reptiles and a bird were negative for the fungus.