FUNGAL FLORA OF ROSETTE QUILLS IN THE NORTH AMERICAN PORCUPINE () IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES.

The North American (NA) porcupine () is a rodent species with specialized hair structures called quills designed to detach and penetrate into tissues of any human or animal coming into contact with them. The objective of this study was to characterize the fungal flora of the quills in the region of the rosette in wild NA porcupines to further define health risks to NA porcupines and any animal coming into contact with the quills. A total of 17 adult NA porcupines were sampled, and fungal culture was performed.