The decomposer system that fungi plays important role is responsible for the majority of secondary production. The fruitbodies of fungi are structures for sexual reproduction that form unique epigeal stages facilitating interactions with mobile terrestrial organisms living above the ground. Many invertebrates and vertebrates are known to feed on mushrooms and toadstools. So far, most available natural history studies of fungivorous invertebrates are on those that inhabit in fungi for their developing stage and as such can be specifically named. However, we recognized that the paucity of information of mobile fungal consumers on fungi those can be the most important consumers affecting on fungal host fitness.

The speakers introduce natural histories of fungi-animal relationships through their field works as entomologists, a primatologist, or a mycologist. The influence of predation on fungal fitness can be variable given the combination of fungal and animal characteristics and timing. We expect that audience could get a new picture of the relationships among fungi and animal in the symposium.