Filamentous Fungi transported by birds during migration across the mediterranean Sea.

The potential for the transport and diffusion ofsome pathogenic microorganisms by migratory birds is ofconcern. Migratory birds may be involved in the dispersal ofmicroorganisms and may play a role of mechanical andbiological vectors. The efficiency of dispersal of pathogenicmicroorganisms depends on a wide range of biotic andabiotic factors that influence the survival or disappearanceof a given agent in a geographical area. In the present study,349 migratory birds were captured in four sites (Mazara delVallo, Lampedusa, Ustica and Linosa), representing themain stop-over points during spring and autumnal migration,and analyzed for the presence of filamentous fungi. Atotal of 2,337 filamentous fungi were isolated from 216birds and identified by a combined phenotypic-genotypicapproach to species level. Twelve species were identified inthe study, with Cladosporium cladosporioides, Alternariaalternata, and Aspergillus niger as the most abundant. Thetransport of these fungal species isolated in this study is ofconsiderable importance because some of these species cancreate dangers to human health.