ISSN 2456-7876

Archive of Life Science and Environment (Arch. Life Sci. & Env.) 1 (2): 52-56 (2017)

FIRST REPORT ON FOUR MACROFUNGI FROM MEGHALAYA, NORTH EAST INDIA Rajesh Kumar1*, Krishna Giri1 and Shailesh Pandey2

1Rain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat-785 001, Assam, India. 2 Forest Research Institute, Dehradun- 248001, Uttarakhand, India.

*Corresponding author email: [email protected]

Abstract: The present study was undertaken to explore the wild diversity of Meghalaya, Northeast India. Extensive field surveys were conducted in the entire state, and the wild were collected from different forest types. A total of 138 mushroom species were identified on the basis of morphological and micro‐ scopic characteristics. Four fungal species, viz., bisporigera G. F Atkinson, Amanita magniverrucata (Thiers & Ammirati), Cortinarius caninus (Fr.) and Laccaria affinis (G.F. Atkinson) were found as new records from Baghmara Reserve Forest, Meghalaya. Though, these macrofungi have been described from other parts of the world, however, to the best of our knowledge these are being reported for the first time from India. Keyword: Baghmara Reserve Forest, A. bisporigera, A. Magniverrucata, C. Caninus, L.. affinis.

Introduction minimum temperature of the state is 24.3 0C and 17.8 0C, respectively. The average annual rain fall in Macrofungi (Mushrooms) play an important role in Meghalaya is about 1200 mm. The floral diversity of fulfilling nutritional and medicinal requirements in Meghalaya is well reputed for its richness and abode of many counties, and serve as a livelihood source of many endemic species. In Northeast India, the wild forest dwelling communities. The wild edible mush- edible fungal resources and ethno mycological knowl- rooms are one of the most important natural resources edge on wild mushrooms of Nagaland have been docu- having high nutritional and economic value (Khaund mented earlier (Kumar et al., 2013; 2014). In addition and Joshi, 2013). In addition to nutritional, medicinal to this, micro- and macrofungal diversity in Langol and economic importance, mushrooms also play a sig- herbal garden, Manipur has also been documented nificant role in leaf litter decomposition and nutrient (Kumar et al., 2015a). Recently Kumar et al. (2015b) recycling in the forest ecosystems. After decomposi- reported 23 unrecorded macro fungi from Meghalaya, tion, the remaining substrate is utilized by other plants and Khaund & Joshi (2013) documented ethno myco- and animals for their growth and development. logical aspects of wild edible macrofungi of Khasi Out of 1.5 million fungi in the world, only 50 % have tribes, Meghalaya. In Meghalaya, the Nokrek Bio- been characterized till date (Manoharachary et al., sphere Reserve in the west, Garo Hills, Balphakaram 2005). Among the known mushrooms, approximately National Park in south and Garo Hills are considered 850 species have been recorded from India. Many of as most biodiversity rich sites. The old native forests of them have been used in food and folk medicine since Garo Hills in western Meghalaya support most diverse time immemorial (Thatoi and Singdevsachan, 2014). and luxuriant tropical vegetation conditions in the North-eastern region of India is among the 34 biodi- world (Kumar et al., 1982). Baghmara reserve forest is versity hot spots of the world. The region is ecologi- a part of Balphakaram National Park in South Garo cally represented by the Eastern Himalayan Biome and Hills which harbour rich floral diversity of the state rich in endemic flora and fauna. The state of Megha- (Figure 1). Most of the forest dwelling tribal communi- laya comprises Khasi Hills, Garo Hills, Jaintia Hills, ties of Meghalaya utilize wild mushrooms as a source and Ri-Bhoi, districts covering an area of 22,720 sq of food. Due to lack of knowledge about wild mush- Km, lies between 250 47′ to 260 10′ N latitude and 890 0 rooms, many people die every year as a result of poi- 45′ to 92 45′ E longitude. The altitude ranges from 50 sonous mushroom consumption. Therefore, present to 1960 m (m.s.l.). The mean maximum and mean investigation was carried out to explore the wild mush- All Rights Reserved © Navya Society of Higher Education, www.archiveofsciences.com

Kumar et al. /Arch. Life Sci. & Env. 1 (2): 52-56 (2017) room diversity, to document ethno mycological knowl- Spores- 6.5–9.5 x 6–8.5 µm (LxB), smooth, globose to edge, and to create awareness about edible and inedi- subglobose, amyloid, Basidia 2 spored, Xanthochoric ble wild mushrooms found in the state. reaction- execute bright yellow on cap surface in KOH (Figure 2. A–D). Materials and Methods Substratum: Found on leaf litter under mixed forest Extensive field surveys were conducted during mon- (date of survey and collection: 07/07/2016) soon season, and the fruiting bodies of macrofungi Accession No.ML/RFRI/00275 Jorhat, Assam. were collected from different habitats. The collected samples were brought to the laboratory for morpho- 2. Amanita magniverrucata, Thiers & Ammirati, Mycotaxon 15: 161 (1982) Taxonomic position Fungi//// /Amanita/A. magniverrucata Diagnostic characters: Cap- white to cream, broad, convex, expanding to nearly plane, margin inrolled, incurved after maturity with 7–14 cm length, Gills- free, close, white to cream, - white, dry, striate solid, fleshy, the base was typically bulbous with a root-like extension of 5–8x 2.5 cm, partial veil mem- branous, thin, fragile, volva consisting of one to sev- eral scaly rings. Universal veil appears to arise from the context of the pileus without interposal of a pileipellis, Flesh- white to tan, Smell- unpleasant and strong. Spores- 8.5–10.5 x 6–7 µm, ovoid, thin-walled, amyloid; clamps are infrequently found on bases of 4 spored basidia, Xanthochoric reaction- execute nega- tive colour on cap surface in KOH (Figure 3. A-D). Substratum: Found on leaf litter under mixed forest (Date of survey and collection: 07/07/2016). Accession No.ML/RFRI/00274, Jorhat, Assam.

3. Cortinarius caninus (Fr.) Fr., Epicrisis Systematis Figure 1. Surveyed locations in Baghmara Reserve Mycologici: 285 (1838) Forest, South Garo Hills, Meghalaya Taxonomic position logical and microscopic examination. The collected Fungi/Basidiomycota/Agaricomycetes/Agaricales/ samples were preserved in Formalin- Acetic Acid /Cortinarius/ C. caninus (FAA) solution (30:70 v/v), and deposited in the mush- Diagnostic characters: Cap- creamy brown, convex, room collection of Laboratory, Forest Pro- domed, at first buff with a hint of violet, dry, smooth, 3 tection Division, Rain Forest Research Institute, Jor- –9cm across, Gills- adnate, rusty brown, Stem- violet hat, Assam. near the apex at first, then white with delicate bands, fibrous and bulbous and measures from 5–10 cm in height, with a diameter of 0.7–1.3 cm. Flesh pallid, Results and Discussion with violet near the stem apex, Smell- slightly mild, A total of 138 mushroom species were identified from Spores- 7–6 x 6–7µm (LxB), subglobose, roughened, different forest types. The following four species are Cheilo and pleurocystidia absent, Xanthochoric reac- being described first time from India. tion- execute pink colour on cap surface in KOH (Figure 4. A–D). 1. Amanita bisporigera G.F. Atk., Botanical Gazette Substratum- Broad leaf litter under mixed forest (date Crawfordsville 41 (3): 348 (1906) of survey and collection: 07/07/2016) Taxonomic position Accession No.ML/RFRI/00135 Jorhat, Assam. Fungi/Basidiomycota/Agaricomycetes/Agaricales/ Amanitaceae/Amanita/A. bisporigera Diagnostic characters: Cap- whitish cream, convex to 4. Laccaria affinis (Singer) Bon, Docums Mycol. 13 bell-shaped, sticky, 2.7–9.5 cm, Gills- free, white, (No. 51): 49 (1983) close, Stipe- white, tapering, flaring to an enlarged Taxonomic position base, 5.3–12x 4–2 cm long, white sack like volva en- Fungi/Basidiomycota/Homobasidiomycetes/ casing the base, Flesh- white, Smell- unpleasant, Tricholomatales/Tricholomataceae/Laccaria/Laffinis

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Kumar et al. /Arch. Life Sci. & Env. 1 (2): 52-56 (2017)

A A

B B

C C

D D

Figure 2. A-C Fruit body & D, Spores of A. bisporig- Figure 3 A-C Fruit body & D Spores of A. Magni-

verrucata era

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Kumar et al. /Arch. Life Sci. & Env. 1 (2): 52-56 (2017)

A A

B B

C C

D D

Figure 4. A-C Fruit body & D, Spores of C. caninus Figure 5. A-C Fruit body in different views & D Spores of L. Affinis

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Diagnostic characters: Cap: hemispherical to flat or Acknowledgment convex, slightly depressed in the centre; ocher- The authors are thankful to the Indian Council of For- orange to reddish-pink colour, smooth 2–4.2 cm estry Research and Education, Dehradun for financial surface, hygrophanous, striped border. Gills: pink support. colour, adnate and fleshy, Stipe: cylindrical, 4.5x9 cm long, pink colour, base covered with whitish my- References Khaund, P., & Joshi, S.R. (2013) Wild edible Macro celium. Flesh: pale pink. Smell: mild. Spores: 7. 5– fungal species consumed by the Khasi tribes 10 × 8–10 µm, globose to subglobose with 1.5 μm of Meghalaya, India. Ind. J. Nat. Prod. Res., 4 tall spines. Cheilocystidia laminated wire free, fila- (2), 197-204. mentous to subclavate 50 x 7.5 µm. Basidia tet- Kumar, A., Gupta, A.K., Marcot, B.G., Saxena, A., rasporic 40 x 45 µm. Xanthochoric reaction: execute Singh, S.P., & Marak, T.T.C. (1982) Manage negative colour on cap surface in KOH (Figure 5. A- ment of forests in India for biological diver D). sity and forest productivity, a new perspect Substratum- Found on leaf litter under mixed forest ive. Volume IV: Garo Hills Conservation (Date of survey and collection 07/07/2016) Area (GCA). In E.G. Leigh Jr, A.S. Rand Accession No.ML/RFRI/00153,Jorhat, Assam D.M. Windsor (Eds.), Wildlife Institute of Meghalaya harbours wealthy mushroom diversity in India Long-term Changes. Washington DC: numerous forest forms of the state. within the gift Smithsonian Institute Press. study, 138 mushrooms were collected and known Kumar, R., Bisht, N.S., Mishra, G., Kalita, K., & Bez supported the morphological characteristics. Ethno- barua, R.N. (2015a). Micro- and macrofungal mycological information of social group communi- diversity in Langol herbal garden Manipur, ties on wild mushroom utilization was additionally India. Curr. Life Sci., 1(1), 24–34. documented through market surveys and question- Kumar, R., Pandey, S., Giri, K., Mishra, G., & Rishi, naires. Extension programmes were additionally R. (2015b). Unrecorded macrofungi from the conducted in numerous places to form awareness Narpuh reserve forest of Meghalaya, India. concerning correct identification of edible and toxic Curr. Life Sci., 1(3), 118-123. mushrooms. Kumar, R., Pandey, S., Tapwal, A., Rishi, R., Giri, K., As a results of morphological and microscopic ex- & Mishra, G. (2014) Ethnomycological aminations, the on top of represented four mushroom knowledge on wild mushrooms by tribes of species were found new from Asian country. Many Mokokchung, Nagaland, North East India. reports on higher fungi and mushrooms are printed The J. Ethnobiol. Trad. Med., 122, 890-899. from Asian country, which has North-western re- Kumar, R., Tapwal, A., Pandey, S., Borah, R.K., gion, eastern Himalaya and North-eastern hilly ar- Borah, D.P., & Borgohain, J. (2013). Macro- eas. North western region of Asian country includes fungal diversity and nutrient content of some geographical area, Haryana, Chandigarh and Gujarat edible mushrooms of Nagaland, India. Nusan- whereas the eastern Himalaya includes the northern tara Biosci., (5), 1-7. components of state, Arunachal Pradesh and geo- Manoharachary, C., Sridhar, K., Singh, R., Adholeya, graphic area. However, eastern hilly areas embody A., Suryanarayanan, T.S., Rawat, S., & Johri, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram and Tri- B.N. (2005). Fungal biodiversity, distribu pura. Fleshy plant flora from state and Meghalaya tion, conservation and prospecting of fungi happiness to the family Auriculariaceae, Clavari- from India. Curr. Sci., (89), 58-71. aceae, Cantharellaceae, Tricholomataceae, Thatoi, H., & Singdevsachan, S.K. (2014) Diversity, Pluteaceae, Paxillaceae, Cortinariaceae, Cycoper- nutritional composition and medicinal poten- daceae, and Sclerodermataceae of Basidiomycotina tial of Indian mushrooms: A review. African and Halvellaceae of Ascomycotina (Verma et J. Biotechnol., 13(4), 523–545. al.,1987) Verma, R.N., Singh, G.B. & Bilgrami, K.S. (1987). Fleshy fungal flora of N.E.H. India- I. Conclusion Manipur and Meghalaya. Indian Mush. Sci., The present study suggests that in future, more field 2, 414-421. surveys may be conducted to explore wild mush- room diversity of other parts of Northeast India for more new discoveries.

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