The occurrence and distribution of Piptocephalis, Syncephalis and Chaetocladium species on dung*

Records of the Piptocephalidaceae and Chaetocladiaceae from over 800 samples of dung collected worldwide are analysed. Piptocephalis species were frequent, occurring especially on dung of rabbit (31% of all samples) in temperate regions. Chaetocladium and Syncephalis species were much less frequent. The status of these fungi as coprophils and reasons for the differences in distribution and substrate preference are discussed.