A peer-reviewed open-access journal MycoKeys 63: 1–48 (2020) Macrofungal checklist for South Africa 1 doi: 10.3897/mycokeys.63.36566 CHECKLIST MycoKeys http://mycokeys.pensoft.net Launched to accelerate biodiversity research A first checklist of macrofungi for South Africa Tonjock Rosemary Kinge1,2, Gary Goldman3, Adriaana Jacobs4, George Gatere Ndiritu5, Marieka Gryzenhout1 1 Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, Re- public of South Africa 2 Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39, Bambili, North West Region, Cameroon 3 MushroomFundi, Cape Town, South Africa 4 National Collection of Fungi, Mycology Unit, Plant Health and Protection, Agricultural Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa 5 School of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Karatina University, P.O. Box 1957, Karatina 10101, Kenya Corresponding author: Marieka Gryzenhout (
[email protected]) Academic editor: G. Rambold | Received 27 May 2019 | Accepted 7 November 2019 | Published 5 February 2020 Citation: Kinge TR, Goldman G, Jacobs A, Ndiritu GG, Gryzenhout M (2020) A first checklist of macrofungi for South Africa. MycoKeys 63: 1–48. https://doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.63.36566 Abstract Macrofungi are considered as organisms that form large fruiting bodies above or below the ground that are visible without the aid of a microscope. These fungi include most basidiomycetes and a small number of ascomycetes. Macrofungi have different ecological roles and uses, where some are edible, medicinal, poisonous, decomposers, saprotrophs, predators and pathogens, and they are often used for innovative biotechnological, medicinal and ecological applications. However, comprehensive checklists, and compi- lations on the diversity and distribution of mushrooms are lacking for South Africa, which makes regula- tion, conservation and inclusion in national biodiversity initiatives difficult.