Characterization and Isolation of Fungi from Domestic Pigeon Droppings in the Governorate of Erbil and its Suburban Area

Abstract

A total of 200 samples of domestic bird droppings were collected from 54 regions in Erbil Governorate and its suburbs, and 23 of the isolates were fungi obtained by using the Niger bird seed medium and Sabouraud dextrose agar medium. The fungal genera were identified through macroscopic, microscopic, and phenotypic properties on agar plates and slides by staining with Lactophenol cotton blue stain. Findings belong to nine genera (Aspergillus, Alternaria, Chrysosporium, Cunninghamella, Helminthosporium, Mucor, Penicillium, Rhizomucor, and Rhizopus). Among the isolates, six species belonging to Aspergillus were identified which also had the highest frequency (44.4 %) in total genera, while the lowest frequency was (0.1 %) for Alternaria sp., Chrysosporium sp., Cunninghamella sp. Results reveal that 17 sites' samples of bird droppings produced negative results when tested on Niger bird seed agar, while only two locations produced no results when tested on Sabouraud dextrose agar. Thus, Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) is thought to be better than Niger bird seed agar (NBSA) for isolating fungi since it is considered a generally rich media for them.