Chapter 12 - Diversity and bioprospect significance of macrofungi in the scrub jungles of southwest India

Abstract

This study addresses the macrofungal assemblage in fairly undisturbed lateritic scrub jungles of southwest India during the southwest monsoon season. Altogether 90 species belonging to 45 genera of macrofungi were recovered as a result of a weekly survey up to 12 weeks. Macrofungi preferred and colonized 12 different substrates mainly related to soil, leaf litter, woody litter, and insects. The highest number of macrofungi was found on woody litter followed by soil, leaf litter, and insects. The core group of 12 fungi was composed of Geastrum triplex, Lenzites betulinus, five Marasmius species, Mycena adscendens, Tetrapyrgos nigripes, and three Xylaria species. Sampling in the eighth week showed the highest species richness as well as diversity, while the sporocarp richness peaked in the seventh week. The assemblage was composed of up to 50% economically viable fungi with medicinal fungi highest followed by edible and ectomycorrhizal fungi. The current study also reveals the occurrence of as many as six species of Cordyceps on larvae and insects in scrub jungles. Owing to confining the macrofungal survey exclusively to scrub jungles at weekly intervals, the present study resulted in highest species richness as well as diversity. Future efforts are crucial to preserve the scrub jungles as a measure of environmental conservation, as well as to harness the benefits of economically important macrofungi.