Macrofungal diversity in the forest litter of Nadia District, West Bengal, India

Litter decomposing macrofungi (LDM) and ectomycorrhiza (ECM) play vital roles in maintenance of forest ecosystem. Since these soil-litter dwelling fungi produce lignolytic enzymes, they have been proved useful in soil bioremediation. However, literature of these groups is limited and therefore it is important to record and identify them. This study reports the diversity of litter growing macrofungi in three sal (Shorea robusta C.F. Gaertn.) dominated small forests, that is, Bethuadahari Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS), Ranaghat Forest (RF) and Zafarnagar Forest (ZF) of Nadia, West Bengal India. During the study period (2013 and 2014) 10,253 carpophores, belonging to 37 macrofungal species were sampled and 17 edible, 14 inedible and 4 poisonous species were identified based on previous records. Podoscypha elegans (G. Mey.) Pat. was recorded in India for the first time. Only 7 ECM (~18.91%) and 30 saprophytic (~81.08%) species were recorded. The differences of diversity pattern in the three forests varied significantly. Shannon and Brillouin indices were highest in BWS suggesting the most diverse fungal community in terms of α diversity whereas; β and Taxonomic diversity studies suggested that RF was the most heterogeneous forest among the sampled forests.