eDNA Metabarcoding of Fungal Communities in the Scats of Long-footed Potoroos (Potorous longipes)

The mutualistic interaction between truffle-like ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi and mycophagous mammals is fundamental to forest health, supporting fungal dispersal, soil structure, nutrient cycling, and plant community dynamics worldwide. The endangered marsupial long-footed potoroo (Potorous longipes, LFP) is one of the most specialised mycophagous mammals in the world. Using ITS2 metabarcoding of a unique and extensive 23-year collection of LFP scat samples over five sites, we examined how their truffle-like ECM fungal diet is shaped across space and time.