A study on micro-fungi in arid areas: notes on soil saprotrophs and animalopportunistic pathogens

Soil fungi were studied in three desert areas in Namibia with the aim of id entifying saprotrophic microorganisms associated with animal communities as opportunistic pathogens. The extremely arid environment of the Naukluft De sert Park was found to be more selective for soil fungi, whereas the soils of Etosha Dan, with seasonal wet areas, and the mobile dunes of Sossousvlei , which absorb atmospheric moisture at. night by virtue of their proximity to the sea. host saprotrophic microorganisms and potential and/or opportuni stic pathogens.