R. Donaldson et M. Stoddart, DETECTION OF HYPOGEOUS FUNGI BY TASMANIAN BETTONG (BETTONGIA-GAIMARDIMARSUPIALIA, MACROPODOIDEA), Journal of chemical ecology, 20(5), 1994, pp. 1201-1207
The ability of Tasmanian bettongs (Bettongia gaimardi) to locate hypog
eous fungi (their main diet) was tested in a controlled laboratory sit
uation. Bettongs dug directly over buried fungi significantly more oft
en than they did over buried glass marbles or over disturbed soil. Thi
s ability was not enhanced as they gained experience. Bettongs dug mor
e often over buried filter paper onto which fungus extract was absorbe
d than over control papers, and showed no discrimination between the o
uter and inner layers of the fungi. They preferred the odor of whole f
ungi to individual volatile compounds. They showed no reaction to the
odor of the steroid ergosterol.