OPEN ACCESS The Journal of Threatened Taxa fs dedfcated to bufldfng evfdence for conservafon globally by publfshfng peer-revfewed arfcles onlfne every month at a reasonably rapfd rate at www.threatenedtaxa.org . All arfcles publfshed fn JoTT are regfstered under Creafve Commons Atrfbufon 4.0 Internafonal Lfcense unless otherwfse menfoned. JoTT allows unrestrfcted use of arfcles fn any medfum, reproducfon, and dfstrfbufon by provfdfng adequate credft to the authors and the source of publfcafon. Journal of Threatened Taxa Bufldfng evfdence for conservafon globally www.threatenedtaxa.org ISSN 0974-7907 (Onlfne) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Prfnt) Short Communfcatfon Macrofungf fn two botanfcal gardens fn southwestern Indfa Mundamoole Pavfthra, Kandfkere R. Srfdhar & Ammatanda A. Greeshma 26 March 2017 | Vol. 9| No. 3 | Pp. 9962–9970 10.11609/jot. 2747 .9. 3.9962-9970 For Focus, Scope, Afms, Polfcfes and Gufdelfnes vfsft htp://threatenedtaxa.org/About_JoTT.asp For Arfcle Submfssfon Gufdelfnes vfsft htp://threatenedtaxa.org/Submfssfon_Gufdelfnes.asp For Polfcfes agafnst Scfenffc Mfsconduct vfsft htp://threatenedtaxa.org/JoTT_Polfcy_agafnst_Scfenffc_Mfsconduct.asp For reprfnts contact <[email protected]> Publfsher/Host Partner Threatened Taxa Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 March 2017 | 9(3): 9962–9970 Macrofungi in two botanical gardens in southwestern India 1 2 3 Mundamoole Pavithra , Kandikere R. Sridhar & Ammatanda A. Greeshma ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) 1,2,3 Short Communication Short ISSN 0974-7893 (Print) Department of Biosciences, Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri, Mangalore, Karnataka 574199, India 1 [email protected], 2 [email protected] (corresponding author), 3 [email protected] OPEN ACCESS Abstract: This study reports 11 species of macrofungi in the botanical Shetty & Kaveriappa 2001b). Several endemic species garden and arboretum of Mangalore University. Frequent species include Clathrus delicatus, Entoloma serrulatum and Tetrapyrgos were cultivated during 1992-1994 with the support of nigripes in the botanical garden, and Collybia aurea and T. nigripes the MacArthur Foundation, Chicago in the arboretum in the arboretum. Five species are edible (Collybia aurea, Lepista sp., and botanical garden of Mangalore University Campus. Russula adusta, R. atropurpurea and Termitomyces microcarpus), one is medicinal (T. microcarpus) and two are ectomycorrhizal (Russula Eighty-two endemic plant species have been introduced adusta and R. atropurpurea) with critically endangered endemic tree and maintained (57 tree species, two bamboo species species Vateria indica (Dipterocarpaceae). Some macrofungi grow on and 23 species of shrubs) in these gardens along with bark, woody litter and leaf litter, while others were found on typical lateritic soils with organic matter. Termitomyces microcarpus was native flora. These gardens are now over 20 years old common in the faecal pellets of termites in the botanical garden. Brief and have become excellent platforms for ecosystem descriptions of species based on field and laboratory observations, and forestry-related studies. Recently, macrofungi along with their substrates and distribution, are given. have been reported from the arboretum those are not Keywords: Arboretum, ectomycorrhizae, edibility, laterite soil, usually found in the coastal region (Karun & Sridhar macrofungi, mushrooms. 2014). Nearly 850 species of macrofungi have been reported from the Himalaya and Western Ghats of India (Manoharachary et al. 2006). An illustrated monograph The Western Ghats are known for heritage value by Mohanan (2011) documented up to 550 species with vast landscapes and forests endowed with native in 166 genera and 51 families from Kerala State. The and indigenous plants. These forests are especially aim of this current study was to document interesting rich in flowering trees, with 1,720 recorded species macrofungi in these botanical gardens, and provide a (in 54 genera) of which 8% (135 species) are endemic brief description of each species along with information (Nair & Daniel 1986; Nayar 1996; Shetty & Kaveriappa regarding distribution and economic value. 2001a). Endemics in the Western Ghats have also been recognized among woody plants, palms and Materials and Methods gymnosperms (Ahmedullah & Nayar 1986; Renuka 1992; Surveys were carried out periodically (June-October DOI: http://doi.org/10.11609/jott.2747.9.3.9962-9970 Editor: R.K. Verma, Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur, India. Date of publication: 26 March 2017 (online & print) Manuscript details: Ms # 2747 | Received 30 May 2016 | Final received 24 February 2017 | Finally accepted 02 March 2017 Citation: Pavithra, M., K.R. Sridhar & A.A. Greeshma (2017). Macrofungi in two botanical gardens in southwestern India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 9(3): 9962–9970; http://doi.org/10.11609/jott.2747.9.3.9962-9970 Copyright: © Pavithra et al. 2017. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication. Funding: The University Grants Commission, New Delhi, India. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Acknowledgements: Authors are grateful to Mangalore University for permission to carry out this study in the Department of Biosciences. KRS acknowledges the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, India for the award of UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship. GAA acknowledges the award of INSPIRE Fellowship, Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, Government of India. We thank Karun N. Chinnappa, Sudeep D. Ghate (Department of Biosciences) and K. Keshavachandra (Department of Applied Botany), Mangalore University for helpful suggestions.LOGOs 9962 Macrofungi of Mangalore’s botanical gardens Pavithra et al. 2014) in the botanical garden and arboretum situated Description on the lateritic terrain of Mangalore University Campus Clathrus delicatus Berk. & Broome (Dakshina Kannada District, Karnataka) (12049’N & (Phallaceae: Basidiomycotina) (Image 1A–D) (# 74055’E). Identification of macrofungi was based MUBSPMKRSMF-BG1) on macro- and micro-morphological features using Fruit body small to medium size, soft, smooth, identification keys (Sathe & Daniel 1980; Sathe & creamish-white, initially spherical 0.2–0.5 cm (n=14) Deshpande 1980; Jordan 2004; Phillips 2006; Mohanan (Image 1A), opens into delicate net/mesh, on maturity 2011). Specimens were preserved in the herbarium of 1.7 (1.8–2.0) 2.2 × 1.0 (1.1–1.3) 1.4 cm (n=6), shuttle the Department of Biosciences (MUBSPMKRSMF: BG1- cock-shaped, creamish-white without cap and gills and BG9; MUBSPMKRSMF: AB1-AB2). with small stipe having thick rhizomorphs (Image 1B- D). Lignicolous, gregarious, annual and edibility not Results known. Stipe 0.6 (0.8–1.0) 1.2 × 0.4 (0.6–0.85) 0.9 cm Among the 11 macrofungi documented in this (n=6), white, central, cylindrical, partially stuffed with survey, Clathrus delicatus, Entoloma serrulatum and thick rhizomorphs at base (Image 1C, D). Spores 3.0 Tetrapyrgos nigripes in botanical garden and Collybia (3.4–3.95) 4.0 × 1.25 (1.55–1.75) 2.2 µm (n=20); hyaline, aurea and T. nigripes in arboretum were frequent, while ellipsoidal, smooth and thin walled. Russula adusta, R. atropurpurea and Termitomyces Fresh weight: Mature fruit body 0.07–0.1 g (n=6), microcarpus were common (Table 1). Tetrapyrgos immature fruit body 0.05–0.09 g (n=10). Substrate: Dead nigripes was common to botanical garden as well as woody debris (fine, medium and coarse) and also grows arboretum. Edible species include Collybia aurea, on the bark of Calycopteris floribunda Lam., having thick Lepista sp., Russula adusta, R. atropurpurea and creamy white rhizomophs on substrate (Image 1A). Termitomyces microcarpus. Among them, Russula spp. Occurrence and distribution: Botanical garden and were also ectomycorrhizal with critically endangered non-fired scrub jungle, Konaje, Mangalore, Karnataka tree species Vateria indica belongs to Dipterocarpaceae. (present study); Muthodi forest range in the Bhadra Some of the macrofungi grew on bark, woody litter and Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka (Swapna et al. 2010) and leaf litter, while others preferred typical lateritic soils Porvorim in Goa (Kamath 2014). with organic matter. T. microcarpus was common on the faecal pellets of termites in botanical garden. Brief Collybia aurea (Beeli) Pegler description of each species based on field and laboratory (Tricholomataceae: Basidiomycotina) (Image 1E–H) (# observations along with their substrates and distribution MUBSPMKRSMF-AB1) in the Western Ghats have been given. Fruit body small to medium size, fleshy agaric, creamish-white cap, white gills, stipe brownish devoid of pseudorhiza. Lignicolous, gregarious, annual and edible. Table 1. Macrofungi recorded in botanical gardens of the west coast of India Taxon Substrate Economic value Clathrus delicatus Berk. & Broome (Image 1A–D)*** Woody debris and bark (Calycopteris floribunda) - Collybia aurea (Beeli) Pegler (Image 1E–H)*** Decaying wood and twigs interspersed with leaf litter. Edible Entoloma serrulatum (Fr.) Hesler (Image 2A–D) *** Soil with pebbles and leaf litter - Lepiota echinella Quél. & G.E. Bernard (Image 2E–G)* Soil with leaf litter - Lepista sp. (Image 3A–D)* Soil with pebbles and leaf litter Edible Leucoagaricus rubrotinctus (Peck) Singer (Image 3E–G)* Laterite soil rich in pebbles - Lycoperdon lividum Pers. (Image 3H)* Soil with leaf