Acheampong, Mavis AgyeiwaaPupin, BrenoDias, Luciana Pereira PintoSantos, Maiara P.Bernardes, Luana OliveiraPinheiro, Michele SouzaFerreira, Paulo CesarMikaelyan, AramMedina, Humberto RamírezAlder-Rangel, Alene2026-02-062026-02-06https://repositorio.univap.br/handle/123456789/1135The Mucor circinelloides complex, a group of dung-dwelling fungi, is essential for nutrient cycling and organic matter breakdown. Despite their ecological significance, variations in germination rates and stress tolerance among isolates are not well understood. This study examined four isolates—Cicarelli, Doc Beaver, Papulsa, and Zaina—to assess their germination on various media, including potato dextrose agar (PDA), Czapek (CZA), Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), Emerson (EM), and minimal media (MM). The results showed notable differ- ences in germination rates, with CZA and EM promoting the fastest growth. The study also analysed spor- angiospore tolerance to UV-B radiation and high temperatures (47 ◦C), with findings highlighting the role of growth media in stress resistance. Sporangiospores from Cicarelli, Doc Beaver, and Papulsa grown on PDA exhibited greater UV-B tolerance than those on CZA. Conversely, sporangiospores produced on CZA were more heat tolerant than those on PDA. The 12-h survival curve for the Zaina isolate reinforced these findings, showing similar trends in UV-B resilience and heat tolerance. This research demonstrates how growth media influence the environmental stress responses in M. circinelloides, providing insights into the adaptive potential of these fungi.PDFen-USArtigos de PeriódicosFungal Biology10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101575Coprophilous fungiDung decomposersGermination speedFungal physiologyGrowth substrateHeat toleranceUV-B toleranceACHEAMPONG, M. A. et al. Physiological stress tolerance responses of the dung decomposer fungus Mucor circinelloides. Fungal Biology, v. 129, n. 4, p. 1-8, 2025. Disponível em: 10.1016/j.funbio.2025.101575.Universidade do Vale do ParaíbaUniversity of GhanaInstituto Nacional de Pesquisa EspaciaisUniversidade de São PauloNorth Carolina State UniversityInstituto Tecnológico Nacional do MéxicoUniversidade Federal de São PauloInbioter Institute of Biotechnology Rangel