How cryptic animal vectors of fungi can influence forest health in a changing climate and how to anticipate them

Abstract

Fungal spores are usually dispersed by wind, water, and animal vectors. Climate change is accelerating the spread of pathogens to new regions. While well-studied vectors like bark beetles and moths contribute to pathogen transmission, other, less-recognized animal species play a crucial role at different scales. Small-scale dispersers, such as mites, rodents, squirrels, and woodpeckers, facilitate fungal spread within trees or entire forest regions. On a larger scale, birds contribute significantly to long-distance fungal dispersal, potentially aiding the establishment of invasive species across continents. These vectors remain underexplored and are often overlooked in fungal disease studies and are therefore called cryptic vectors. Understanding the full range of dispersal mechanisms is critical as climate change drive shifts in species distributions and increases vector activity. Expanding monitoring and detection tools to include these hidden carriers will improve our ability to track the distribution of fungal pathogens. Integrating targeted research, innovative technologies, and collaborative efforts across disciplines and borders is essential for enhancing disease management and mitigating fungal disease’s ecological and economic impacts.

• Cryptic animal vectors play a critical role in fungal spore dispersal across forests and continents.

• Climate change accelerates fungal pathogen spread by altering species distributions, increasing vector activity, and facilitating long-distance dispersal.

• Innovative monitoring tools, like eDNA sampling and predictive modelling, are essential to uncover cryptic vector contributions and mitigate fungal disease impacts.