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Background: Even in mycophilic nations, mushroom foraging and use traditions may vary from region to region, making it part of cultural diversity and a source of traditional knowledge even in modern and changing societies. The main objective of our study was to investigate mushroom foraging and use traditions in major ethno-regions of Lithuania, to record and analyse whether and how biogeographical and ethno-cultural features influence these traditions, what is their biocultural significance, and whether they persist in the face of societal and environmental change. Methods: The study conducted a survey among 106 respondents from eleven administrative units of Lithuania, representing four ethno-regions (Žemaitija, Suvalkija, Dzūkija and Aukštaitija, the latter divided into North and East). The age of the respondents ranged from 32 to 97 years (mean 70 years, median 68 years). Each respondent was asked six questions about mushroom species and mushroom foraging. The interviews were accompanied by 50 photographs of different mushroom species. The similarity between mushroom foragers' preferences in ethno-regions and the sets of mushroom species used for food and medicine was tested using cluster analysis. Clustering was carried out using Sørensen distances and the method of cluster mean linkage method. Results: The number of mushroom species recognised per respondent was quite similar, with the lowest number of mushroom species recognised in Žemaitija and the highest in Eastern Aukštaitija. Species of no economic or other importance were not well recognised in any of the regions. The number of names applied to mushroom species varied from region to region and did not coincide with the popularity of mushrooms among mushroom pickers. The number of mushroom species used for food was also similar between regions, except for Dzūkija, which had the lowest number of species collected. Nine mushroom species were identified by respondents as medicinal mushrooms, the most popular being Amanita muscaria and Inonotus obliquus. When analysing the similarity of mushroom species collected for food and medicine, it was found that ethno-regions clustered into three distinct groups. Two groups depended on the prevailing forest types, while Žemaitija formed a separate cluster defined only by local traditions. Conclusions: The work represents the largest study of ethnomycological tradition in Lithuania, covering major ethno-regions. We have found that ethnomycological knowledge and tradition are not influenced by any long-term historical events, ethnicity or religion, but rather by the prevailing forest types and regional ethno-culture. Knowledge of edible mushrooms is considered to be inherited from the older generation and is conservative regarding the changes in the set of species consumed and mushroom-related gastronomy. This is also reflected in the safety of mushroom consumption, as mushroom poisoning was very rare among the respondents. Economically insignificant mushrooms are not distinguished and overlooked by traditional mushroom pickers who are not a good source of information on rare or otherwise noteworthy species. However, from a biocultural point of view, mushrooms and mushroom-related traditions remain important for linguistic diversity, traditional knowledge systems and their transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Even in mycophilic nations, mushroom foraging and use traditions may vary from region to region, making it part of cultural diversity and a source of traditional knowledge even in modern and changing societies. The main objective of our study was to investigate mushroom foraging and use traditions in major ethno-regions of Lithuania, to record and analyse whether and how biogeographical and ethno-cultural features influence these traditions, what is their biocultural significance, and whether they persist in the face of societal and environmental change. Methods The study conducted a survey among 106 respondents from eleven administrative units of Lithuania, representing four ethno-regions (Žemaitija, Suvalkija, Dzūkija and Aukštaitija, the latter divided into North and East). The age of the respondents ranged from 32 to 97 years (mean 70 years, median 68 years). Each respondent was asked six questions about mushroom species and mushroom foraging. The interviews were accompanied by 50 photographs of different mushroom species. The similarity between mushroom foragers' preferences in ethno-regions and the sets of mushroom species used for food and medicine was tested using cluster analysis. Clustering was carried out using Sørensen distances and the method of cluster mean linkage method. Results The number of mushroom species recognised per respondent was quite similar, with the lowest number of mushroom species recognised in Žemaitija and the highest in Eastern Aukštaitija. Species of no economic or other importance were not well recognised in any of the regions. The number of names applied to mushroom species varied from region to region and did not coincide with the popularity of mushrooms among mushroom pickers. The number of mushroom species used for food was also similar between regions, except for Dzūkija, which had the lowest number of species collected. Nine mushroom species were identified by respondents as medicinal mushrooms, the most popular being Amanita muscaria and Inonotus obliquus. When analysing the similarity of mushroom species collected for food and medicine, it was found that ethno-regions clustered into three distinct groups. Two groups depended on the prevailing forest types, while Žemaitija formed a separate cluster defined only by local traditions. Conclusions The work represents the largest study of ethnomycological tradition in Lithuania, covering major ethno-regions. We have found that ethnomycological knowledge and tradition are not influenced by any long-term historical events, ethnicity or religion, but rather by the prevailing forest types and regional ethno-culture. Knowledge of edible mushrooms is considered to be inherited from the older generation and is conservative regarding the changes in the set of species consumed and mushroom-related gastronomy. This is also reflected in the safety of mushroom consumption, as mushroom poisoning was very rare among the respondents. Economically insignificant mushrooms are not distinguished and overlooked by traditional mushroom pickers who are not a good source of information on rare or otherwise noteworthy species. However, from a biocultural point of view, mushrooms and mushroom-related traditions remain important for linguistic diversity, traditional knowledge systems and their transmission.

Simple Summary: The Arctic tree and shrub ecosystems of Central Siberia are distinctive in their ability to perform crucial biosphere functions. However, such forests have been the subject of relatively limited research. The understanding of the dynamics of these forests, including their composition and structure, is of significant relevance for the conservation of permafrost ecosystem biodiversity. Nevertheless, the species composition of the mycobiota of this region remain under investigation. The aim of the present study is to determine the macromycetes diversity in the main ecotopes of the Krasnoyarsk Arctic (Norilsk). An understanding of the ecological attributes of macromycetes within these ecosystems is essential for understanding of the decomposition of organic matter, the absorption of nutrients by trees and shrubs, and other fundamental ecological processes. Moreover, basidiomycetes may be utilized as indicator species in ecological studies. The research was aimed at studying the taxonomic diversity, habitat specialization, and trophic characteristics of mycobiota, including Basidiomycota, in the northern ecosystems of the Krasnoyarsk Krai (Central Siberia) near Norilsk. Larch forests and woodlands in the Siberian permafrost zone are distinctive and Basidiomycota, as a component of these ecosystems, plays an essential role in their functioning. Currently, there is a paucity of information about this group in Arctic ecosystems, both in terms of floristic and ecological aspects. Seventy species of macromycetes belonging to different trophic groups were discovered and identified. Only 15% of species occur regularly, while most species are found rarely or only once. The identified species belong to 44 genera, 25 families, and 8 orders, which are included in the class Agaricomycetes. The leading families in terms of the number of species are Russulaceae, Polyporaceae, Tricholomataceae, Suillaceae, Strophariaceae, and Cortinariaceae. Mycorrhizal fungi and wood decay fungi dominate the structure of mycobiota of the study area (the total share is 71%). The rest of the species (29%) are fungal decomposers inhabiting plant litter, the forest floor, and humus. The largest number of species occur in forest ecosystems, which are dominated by mycorrhizal and wood decay fungi (up to 70%), which are trophically associated with woody plants and debris. The fungal decomposers inhabiting plant litter, the forest floor, and humus dominate (about 80%) in the species composition of tundra, where, in the absence of woody substrate, wood decay fungi have not been found at all. The species richness of tree and shrub Arctic ecosystems is low, yet the taxonomical and ecological structure of Basidiomycota is similar to that observed in taiga and temperate forests. These data permit a more comprehensive description of the biodiversity of the Arctic and may prove useful in studying biological processes in these ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Biodiversity and its conservation remain fundamental aspects of contemporary biology, continually sparking interest and requiring active research. Presently, significant disparities persist in our understanding of the distribution and habitats of various living organisms. Among the most diverse and crucial groups warranting intensive and comprehensive analysis are fungi. The data obtained significantly contributes to the study of macromycete diversity within the birch forests of the Ural River valley. However, information regarding these fungi within the territory of Kazakhstan remains incomplete and fragmented. The article presents data on the biodiversity of the mycobiota within the ravine birch forests situated along the left bank of the Ural River in the West Kazakhstan region. As of the current date, the biota study has identified 43 species belonging to 26 genera, spanning across 17 families and six orders. Predominant families include Polyporaceae, Russulaceae, Pluteaceae, Amanitaceae, and Strophariaceae. The trophic analysis of the mycobiota within birch forests revealed a notable diversity of xylotrophs, with 25 species identified, primarily associated with the families Fomitopsidaceae, Polyporaceae, Pluteaceae, and Strophariaceae. Additionally, the group of mycorrhizal fungi comprises 15 species, predominantly represented by the families Amanitaceae, Boletaceae, Russulaceae, and Paxillaceae. Thus, the highest richness of macromycetes is noted in birch forests located in the lowlands of deep gullies. Species diversity of macromycetes tends to decrease in birch forests growing along slopes of various orientations, along the edges of gullies, and on eroded slopes. Moreover, in new pioneer sites such as the sole of the indigenous bank of the Ural River, the species composition of mushrooms is notably impoverished. This study represents the first taxonomic analysis of mycobiota diversity in the ravine birch forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To record the mycological lore related to wild edible mushrooms (WEM) in Santa Ana Jilotzingo, a mestizo rural community greatly influenced by the urban area of Mexico City. Design/Methodology/Approach: Unstructured and semi-structured interviews were conducted over the course of three years. Results: Sixty-six WEM species were recorded. Ninety-one traditional names were documented: 65 Spanish names, 3 Nahuatl names, 4 mixed names, and 19 indeterminate names. Local gatherers have a precise knowledge of the biology, ecology, and distribution of the used species; the knowledge preserved by older people is more diverse and accurate. Nowadays, gathering WEM in the rainy season has lost its relevance as an economic activity. However, WEM foraging as a livelihood food supplement remains important for the community. Study Limitations/Implications: The 2020 pandemic hindered the field work. Findings/Conclusions: In the study area, relevant mycological lore still survives despite complex adverse conditions, such as acculturation, migration, and deforestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peatland ecosystems are defined by soils with sufficient under-decomposed organic layer, called peat, formed under anoxic conditions. Peatlands are widespread around the world, with several highly paludified regions, one of which is the Western Siberian Plain. Peatlands store large amounts of carbon and are important in their intact state to counteract climate change, as well as for a variety of other ecosystem functions. From the practical aspect, these ecosystems are used as a source of peat for fuel, peat-based fertilisers and growing media, berries and Sphagnum plantations. Fungi are the key part of the decomposer community of peatlands, playing a critical role in the aerobic decomposition in the upper peat layer. The community of peatland fungi is adapted to decomposition of peat and dead parts of Sphagnum in wet acidic conditions; they form specific mycorrhizal associations with a variety of plants. Thus, the research of fungal diversity of peatlands is important for several reasons: 1) adding knowledge of peatland fungal diversity to local or global biodiversity databases; 2) studying carbon cycling in peatlands; 3) using peat and peatlands for different applications, such as cultivation of Sphagnum with regards to some parasitic species of fungi and 4) peatland restoration and conservation, to mention a few.The community of macromycetes of the raised bog “Mukhrino” in Western Siberia was studied using plot-based monitoring throughout a 9-year observation period. The revealed species diversity is represented by approximately 500 specimens in the Fungarium of Yugra State University collection. Selected specimens were used for barcoding of the ITS region to reveal a total of 95 species from 33 genera and three classes. The barcoding effort confirmed morphological identifications for most specimens and identified a number of cryptic species and several potentially new taxa. Based on regular all-season observations, we describe the phenology of the community sporophore production. The quantitative community structure, based on sporophores, revealed a difference in abundance between species by four orders of magnitude, with rare species representing nearly half of the species list. The inter-annual fruiting abundance varied several times by the total number of sporophores per year. To make the comparisons with global studies, we created an open access database of literature-based observations of fungi in peatlands, based on about 120 published papers (comprising about 1300 species) and compared our species list with this database.As a result, the study created an accurate representation of taxonomic and quantitative structure of the community of macromycetes in raised bogs in the region. The raw data of plot-based counts was published as a sampling-event dataset and the sequenced specimens with the sequence information as an DNA-derived extension dataset in GBIF.

The research was aimed at studying the taxonomic diversity, habitat specialization, and trophic characteristics of mycobiota, including Basidiomycota, in the northern ecosystems of the Krasnoyarsk Krai (Central Siberia) near Norilsk. Larch forests and woodlands in the Siberian permafrost zone are distinctive and Basidiomycota, as a component of these ecosystems, plays an essential role in their functioning. Currently, there is a paucity of information about this group in Arctic ecosystems, both in terms of floristic and ecological aspects. Seventy species of macromycetes belonging to different trophic groups were discovered and identified. Only 15% of species occur regularly, while most species are found rarely or only once. The identified species belong to 44 genera, 25 families, and 8 orders, which are included in the class Agaricomycetes. The leading families in terms of the number of species are Russulaceae, Polyporaceae, Tricholomataceae, Suillaceae, Strophariaceae, and Cortinariaceae. Mycorrhizal fungi and wood decay fungi dominate the structure of mycobiota of the study area (the total share is 71%). The rest of the species (29%) are fungal decomposers inhabiting plant litter, the forest floor, and humus. The largest number of species occur in forest ecosystems, which are dominated by mycorrhizal and wood decay fungi (up to 70%), which are trophically associated with woody plants and debris. The fungal decomposers inhabiting plant litter, the forest floor, and humus dominate (about 80%) in the species composition of tundra, where, in the absence of woody substrate, wood decay fungi have not been found at all. The species richness of tree and shrub Arctic ecosystems is low, yet the taxonomical and ecological structure of Basidiomycota is similar to that observed in taiga and temperate forests. These data permit a more comprehensive description of the biodiversity of the Arctic and may prove useful in studying biological processes in these ecosystems.

Peatland ecosystems are defined by soils with sufficient under-decomposed organic layer, called peat, formed under anoxic conditions. Peatlands are widespread around the world, with several highly paludified regions, one of which is the Western Siberian Plain. Peatlands store large amounts of carbon and are important in their intact state to counteract climate change, as well as for a variety of other ecosystem functions. From the practical aspect, these ecosystems are used as a source of peat for fuel, peat-based fertilisers and growing media, berries and Sphagnum plantations. Fungi are the key part of the decomposer community of peatlands, playing a critical role in the aerobic decomposition in the upper peat layer. The community of peatland fungi is adapted to decomposition of peat and dead parts of Sphagnum in wet acidic conditions; they form specific mycorrhizal associations with a variety of plants. Thus, the research of fungal diversity of peatlands is important for several reasons: 1) adding knowledge of peatland fungal diversity to local or global biodiversity databases; 2) studying carbon cycling in peatlands; 3) using peat and peatlands for different applications, such as cultivation of Sphagnum with regards to some parasitic species of fungi and 4) peatland restoration and conservation, to mention a few. New information The community of macromycetes of the raised bog "Mukhrino" in Western Siberia was studied using plot-based monitoring throughout a 9-year observation period. The revealed species diversity is represented by approximately 500 specimens in the Fungarium of Yugra State University collection. Selected specimens were used for barcoding of the ITS region to reveal a total of 95 species from 33 genera and three classes. The barcoding effort confirmed morphological identifications for most specimens and identified a number of cryptic species and several potentially new taxa. Based on regular all-season observations, we describe the phenology of the community sporophore production. The quantitative community structure, based on sporophores, revealed a difference in abundance between species by four orders of magnitude, with rare species representing nearly half of the species list. The inter-annual fruiting abundance varied several times by the total number of sporophores per year. To make the comparisons with global studies, we created an open access database of literature-based observations of fungi in peatlands, based on about 120 published papers (comprising about 1300 species) and compared our species list with this database. As a result, the study created an accurate representation of taxonomic and quantitative structure of the community of macromycetes in raised bogs in the region. The raw data of plot-based counts was published as a sampling-event dataset and the sequenced specimens with the sequence information as an DNA-derived extension dataset in GBIF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-timber forest products including macro-fungi are an important source of food in forest regions of the world. Studies on edible fungi have been done in several places of the country, but no research has been conducted in the Luki Biosphere Reserve to date. The overall objective was to draw up a preliminary list of macromycetes and their uses by the communities living in the Luki Biosphere Reserve. Two linear transects of 5000m × 10m and 8000m × 10m crossing the selected plant formations served as sampling units for the inventory in three facies of the tropical forest: mature forest, secondary forest and fallow. Semi-structured ethnomycological surveys were conducted among 156 people chosen at random in the Mangala, Lemba, Tsumba Kituti, Kisavu, Kiobo, Kimbuya, Camp INERA-Luki and Manterne villages bordering the Luki Biosphere Reserve. In total, 33 species of macromycetes were inventoried, including 30 species used for food purposes, 3 species used for food and medicinal purposes, 2 species used exclusively for medicinal purposes and 2 species without use. Edible fungi are dominated by saprotrophs of the Pleurotaceae family and ectomycorrhizals of the Hydnaceae family. On the other hand, fungi for medicinal use are dominated by the Ganodermataceae family; mushrooms that combine both food and medicinal uses belong to the families of Schizophyllaceae, Lyophyllaceae and Auriculariaceae. Overall, the local populations of the Luki Biosphere Reserve are familiar with macromycetes for food and medicinal use. This study provides necessary information to take into account for a mushroom domestication program in the Luki biosphere reserve in order to cope with food insecurity and the effects of climate change already perceptible in this part of the country.

• Critical discussion of effects of lichen substances on macromycetes • Lichen substances cause varying degree of stimulation and inhibition of mycelium • Regulation of dynamic mycelium of different trophic groups by lichens in nature • The most inhibitory are common-grown epiphytic and epigeic macrolichens • "The light bulb extraction method" proposition for ecological purposes An analysis of data from experimental studies investigating the effect of powdered thalli, extracts and secondary metabolites from 25 lichen species on the growth dynamics of the mycelia of 36 species of macromycetes classified into different trophic groups (pathogens, saprotrophs and mycorrhizal fungi) is presented. Since various methods have been used to extract lichen substances, thereby preventing a direct comparison of results, a critical review was undertaken. The results of studies, depending on the adopted methodology of fungal culture and supplementation of active substances, indicated that natural ecological processes can be regulated by biochemical compounds from lichens and that they have a wide range of potential effects. Experiments have revealed that the strongest inhibitory activity against macromycetes is produced by Cetraria islandica, Evernia prunastri, Hypogymnia physodes, Pseudevernia furfuracea and Cladonia species, and those fungi most susceptible to lichen substances include, Gloeophyllum sepiarium, Macrolepiota procera, Paxillus involutus and Stereum sangunoilentum. Limited experimental studies on the effects of lichen substances on macromycetes that have been carried out worldwide may prompt more detailed research focused on explaining the role of lichens in the natural environment, particularly in forests. The conclusions obtained from this work underline the wide range of allelopathic effects which depend upon dose-effect phenomenon of lichen substances tested as homogenates, lichen extracts and individual secondary metabolites. They also show the role of underestimated primary as well as secondary metabolites as a mixture of lichen substances and their effects on ecological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Agaricales are the largest clade of mushroom-forming fungi, in Colombia, with 544 species of the approximately 16,000 species currently recognized worldwide in the phylum Basidiomycota. We document seven species of Agaricaceae for the first time from the Colombian Caribbean region. Two of these species are newly recorded from the country: Leucoagaricus lilaceus Singer and Leucoagaricus roseilividus (Murrill) E. Ludw. Five species are reported from the Colombian Caribbean for the first time: Agaricus griseorimosus Pegler, Chlorophyllum hortense (Murrill) Vellinga, Leucoagaricus rubrotinctus (Peck) Singer, Leucocoprinus cepistipes (Sowerby) Pat., and L. venezuelanus Dennis.

The article is devoted to the actual problem of conservation of biological diversity in the modern world. The basic principles and specific approaches to the protection of macromycetes as organisms that are difficult in qualitative and quantitative accounting due to the peculiarities of biology and life cycle have been studied. Domestic and global trends and practices in the field of protecting the species diversity of agaricoid fungi as a component of any ecosystem are discussed. The information on the features of regional fungal diversity detection, rare and threatened species for inclusion into the Red lists of various levels as well as on determining the boundaries of fungal populations, including using barcoding methods is provided. It is noted that for the organization of specially protected natural areas, it is necessary to specify and substantiate the changes in the status of separate species, to identify key areas with specific and typical mycological complexes. The idea that the system of mushroom protection should be integrated into the general system of nature protection is substantiated. Along with the protection of rare and endangered fungi species in their typical habitats (nature reserves, nature parks, wildlife areas, etc.), priority directions for preserving the gene pool of fungi in scientific collections and ex situ banks are described. Live mycelial cultures of fungi can be used for the development of new resistant populations by the reintroduction of rare and endangered species, as well as for the production of fungal metabolites useful for humans. There has been also discussed the problem of improving the effectiveness of protective measures through the digitalization of information systems: free and open access to the data on the endangered fungi species through the development of specialized computer databases, websites and unified information banks.

The aim of the study was to develop an efficient method for the determination of monomethyl-mercury (MeHg) and total mercury (THg) content in materials such as fungal sporocarps and sclerotia. Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) with the assigned values of MeHg and THg as well as the control materials (dried mushrooms) with known content of THg were evaluated for method validation. Recovery of MeHg from reference materials was at the following levels: from tuna fish at 87.0 ± 2.3% (THg at 101.9 ± 1.2%), from fish protein at 99.4 ± 1.3% (THg at 92.70 ± 0.41%), and from dogfish liver at 96.45 ± 0.73%. Recovery of THg from the fungal control material CS-M-5 was at 104.01 ± 0.60% (contribution of MeHg in THg content was at 6.2%), from CS-M-4 at 101.1 ± 2.0% (contribution at 3.2%), from CS-M-3 at 100.55 ± 0.67% (contribution at 0.6%), and from CS-M-2 at 101.5 ± 2.7% (contribution at 3.7%). The content of MeHg in randomly selected wild fungi and their morphological parts was in the range from 0.006 to 0.173 mg kg−1 dry weight (dw). In the case of THg, the concentration values were in the range from 0.0108 to 10.27 mg kg−1 dw. The MeHg content in the control materials with the assigned THg values was determined. Since the control materials play an important role in all elements of the quality assurance system of measurement results, they can be used to analyse MeHg as the first control material for fungi. Key points: • An extraction procedure for MeHg analysis in fungi was developed and optimized. • Recovery of MeHg from the certified reference non-fungal materials was > 87%. • Fungal control materials with assigned THg concentration can serve also for MeHg analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macromycetes are a topic of great interest for researchers around the globe and in our country, mushrooms being wellknown for their nutritional, gourmet and medicinal values. In line with current ecological trends, a sustainable solution for environmental protection is to produce mushrooms by bioconversion of some lignocellulosic waste/by-products of agro-forestry origin and therefore to examine the qualitative and quantitative impacts of multiple substrate recipes upon mushroom production. Assiduous research has improved the biotechnologies for the production and propagation of mycelium used for seeding spawn, in parallel with obtaining and characterization of extracts rich in bioactive compounds from both mycelium and fruiting bodies of edible and medicinal species of macromycetes. This review proposes a current presentation of the knowledge at the intersection of these research directions, focusing on their applications, targeting the species of the genus Pleurotus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Scientists frequently raise the topic of data deficiency related to the abundance and distribution of macrofungi in the context of climate change. Our study is the first detailed documentation on locals’ perception of fungal ecology which covers a large mycophilous region of Europe (Mazovia, Poland). Methods A total of 695 semi-structured interviews were carried out among local informants in 38 localities proportionally distributed throughout the study area (one locality approximately every 30 km). Interview questions concerned fungi species collected, their perceived habitats, and whether any changes had been noted in their abundance. As many as 556 respondents provided information concerning fungal ecology. In these descriptions, 35 taxa were mentioned by at least 5 respondents. Results The data collected during interviews allowed us to create collective folk descriptions of habitat preferences and a list of 98 different macro-, meso-, and microhabitats of macrofungi described by the respondents. This list of recurring habitats assigned to particular macrofungal taxa coincides with, and sometimes exceeds, data available in scientific publications. Some habitat preferences observed by the informants have not yet been researched or tested by science. Out of 695 respondents, 366 (53%) noticed a steady decrease in local macrofungi abundance, and only one person claimed to have observed a steady increase. Imleria badia was the only species with increased abundance, as noted by fifteen independent respondents. The main listed reason for abundance decrease was drought (f = 186). Conclusions Collected information on the ecology of fungi shows that local knowledge does not generally diverge from scientific knowledge. The acquired information related to macrofungal abundance and ecology may also be used as a tool for the formulation of new scientific questions and theories. The analysis of local fungi observations might contribute to broadening knowledge about local changes in fungi and enable new estimations related to large-scale analysis of macrofungal abundance.

The study and conservation of biodiversity is one of the global problems of modern biology, since currently in many regions of the planet there is a decrease in the species composition of various organisms, including fungi. The obtained data make a significant contribution to the knowledge of the diversity of macromycetes of oak forests in the middle reaches of the Ural River, information about which is still insufficient and fragmented on the territory of Kazakhstan. The article presents data on the biodiversity of mycobiota of the oak forests of the Ural River valley, growing not only in the floodplain of the river, but also in beams, that is, the ravine forests flowing into the central floodplain. We have registered 31 species belonging to 23 genera, 17 families and five orders. The leading families are Polyporaceae, Boletaceae, Russulaceae, Amanitaceae. As a result of our research, it has been found that the mycological composition in ravine oak forests is richer than in floodplain oak forests. The richness of the species composition of macromycetes appears to have been influenced by well-defined associations in ravine oak forests (22 associations), represented by forest boreal tree-shrub species absent in floodplain oak forests, as well as favorable microclimatic conditions, relief, soil cover and various ecotopes that are not observed in floodplain oak forests (16 associations). Ecological-trophic analysis showed the predominance of mycorrhizal (45.1%) and xylotrophs (41.9%) over humus saprotrophs (12.9%). The considered taxonomic composition of macromycetes of the studied area is collected, identified and presented for the first time for this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduced woody plants are common for urban green spaces in Siberia. Their mycobiota is formed on the basis of widespread local species. A study of mycobiota associated with Populus balsamifera L., Acer negundo L., Ulmus pumila L., Prunus maackii Rupr., and Tilia cordata Mill. Has identified 105 species of mainly agaricoid macromycetes common for Siberia and characterized by a wide trophic and ecotope specialization. Many of these fungi are synanthropic organisms. The maximum (61) and minimum (16) number of macromycete species is generally associated with A. negundo and U. pumila, respectively. Mycobiota of all tree species, except for T. cordata, is composed mainly of wood-destroying species. More than a half of the wood-destroying fungi are able to function as parasites. In the case of introduced tree species growing in Krasnoyarsk green spaces, such fungi form fruit bodies on living trees, while in the case of native tree species growing outside the city, the fruiting of these fungi occurs only on dead trees. The maximum number of wood-destroying fungi (39 species) is associated with A. negundo, with the predominance of Flammulina velutipes (Curtis) Singer and Bjerkandera adusta (Willd.) P. Karst. The biota of ground-dwelling macromycetes associated with A. negundo and T. cordata is relatively rich (22 and 17 species, respectively). At the same time, a significant difference is observed in the ratio of ecotrophic groups forming this biota: the mycobiota associated with the first tree species is composed mainly of soil and litter saprotrophs (with the predominance of families Agaricaceae, Marasmiaceae, and Psathyrellaceae), while that associated with the last tree species include mainly mycorrhiza-forming fungi with the predominance of Inocybe spp. and the family Inocybaceae. In general, mycobiota of U. pumila and P. maackii is characterized by the minimum taxonomic and ecotrophic diversity among macromycetes observed in the green spaces formed by introduced tree species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Macromycetes play relevant roles in ecosystem functioning as pathogens, mutualists, and organic matter decomposers. Their diversity and distribution are strongly related to environmental conditions and vegetation types, however, there is a lack of ecological studies assessing which biotic and abiotic factors affect macrofungal communities. Questions: Which vegetation type harbors the highest macromycete diversity? Do macromycete diversity and species composition change among forest types? Which are the main environmental factors related to diversity and distribution patterns along the study area? Data description: Macromycete species richness and abundance, and environmental variables recorded in temperate forests. Study site and dates: Ayoquezco de Aldama, Oaxaca. June-November 2019. Methods: Macromycetes were collected twice a month in oak, oak-pine, pine-oak and pine forests, and environmental variables were recorded at each site. Species diversity and composition turnover were calculated using diversity and similarity indexes. The relation between diversity and species composition with environmental variables was determined with statistical analyses. Results: A total of 186 species were collected. Oak-dominated forests showed the highest similarity in macromycete diversity and species composition. The observed patterns of diversity and distribution were related mainly to air and soil humidity and temperature, topographic factors, and vegetation structure. Conclusions: Macromycete diversity and species composition can conspicuously change in short distances owing to the heterogeneity of habitats and resources provided by woody plants, and the topographic characteristic of the landscape. Vegetation type affects both macromycete diversity and distribution due to its influence on local temperature and humidity. Translate stop Translate stop Translate stop Translate stop

New research on the biodiversity of mushrooms in the region of Sharr Mountain massif has been conducted from September to November 2016. The material is collected in a variety of substrates. The types that were found were recorded in some localities such as: near Gajre, Lisec, Popova Sapka, Jellak, Rogachevo, Staro Selo, Leshnica etc. Some living organisms or plant associations are included, such as Quercetum frainetto-cerris macedonicum, Orno quercetum-Petraea, Calamintha grandiflorae-Fagetum, Fagetum subalpinum-scardopindicum, Piceetum subalpinum scardicum), etc. out of a total of 76 species described, 59 species are tericolus mushrooms and only 17 are lignicolus. Registered species belong to the Basidiomycota (72) and Ascomycota (4) types and the orders: Agaricales, Boletales, Polyporales and Russulales. The most researched gender is Amanita (8). As most common species we can mention: Amanita rubescens, Amanita pantherina, Agaricus macrosporus, Armillariella mellea, Fomes fomentarius, Laccaria lacata, Oudemansilla radicosum, Russula cyanoxantha, Stereum hirsutum, Trametes hirsuta. The rarest species are: Amanita crocea, Albatrellus cristatus Boletus regius, Panaeolus semiovatus, Stropharia caerulea... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background An ethnomycological study was conducted to describe the fungus concept and the traditional fungus classification system for the Nahuas of San Isidro Buensuceso, in central Mexico. The study which provides information on the co-existence of various forms of classification, based on both cultural and biological characteristics. Methods The research included conducting community interviews and forest forays in the company of mushroom pickers. The triad technique, pile sorting, and fresh mushroom sampling methods were used. Traditional names were analyzed to describe the Nahua classification system for fungi. Results and conclusion The triad technique with non-utilitarian stimuli allowed the fungi to be identified as an independent group of plants and animals. The Nahua people of San Isidro classify fungi primarily based on their use, where they grow, and by humoral characteristics. The analysis of the names revealed a classification based on the criteria proposed by Brent Berlin. This study identified the detailed knowledge of fungi in this Nahua community. The criteria used for the recognition of the species are very reliable, since they use organoleptic, ecological, phenological, and morphological characteristics.

The article is devoted to the study of the features of spatial distribution of fungi - xylophytes and saprophytes, using the example of the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm.) in suburban plantations (Ukrainian Roztochya) and urbogenic conditions of the city of Lviv. The natural-climatic and forest-typological characteristics of the study region are revealed. Detailed attention is focused on the occurrence of this species in various types of plantings within suburban forest parks, parks, urban gardens and street plantings. The distribution of oyster mushroom individuals in the population was calculated according to the conventional Schwerdtfeger method. The urban-ecological conditions of the suburban and urban green plantings of the city of Lviv revealed a high level of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm.) distribution, due to a set of favorable edaphoclimatic conditions of habitats, age and mechanical damage to trees. It is found that the distribution of the individuals in the suburban forests is two times less than in the urban areas, which is confirmed by the calculation of variance (dispersion). The dispersion of oyster mushroom individuals in Lviv is 29.3 m2. With spontaneous arrangement of individuals, the value of the dispersion is approximately equal to the average value of the number of mushrooms in the population, while there is a tendency to accumulation of the study macromycetes (S2≥ m). In urban plantings, the dispersion of individuals is twice as large as in forests, which indicates the wide possibilities for oyster mushroom spores dispersal.

Mycelial microstructures of taxa of the genus Ganoderma from the IBK Culture Collection of Mushrooms at the M.G. Kholodny Institute of Botany NASU were investigated by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In total, seven strains of the following five species were studied: G. carnosum, G. resinaceum, G. sinense, G. tsugae, and G. oregonense. Mycelium of all these species consists of thin-walled septate hyphae of different size. Characteristic microstructures for vegetative mycelia were observed: clamp connections, swollen hyphae, mycelial pellicle, mycelial cords, staghorn (coralloid) hyphae, and chlamydospores. For G. carnosum the following mycelial microstructures were found: single clamp connections with or without anastomoses, double clamp connections with anastomoses and rarely swollen hyphae; for G. resinaceum and G. sinense – single clamp connections, large number of staghorn hyphae, sometimes with perforations; in addition, for G. resinaceum ellipsoid chlamydospores with smooth surface were observed. Mycelium of G. tsugae was found to have two kinds of clamp connections, single clamps with or without anastomoses while in mycelium of G. oregonense single clamp connections and occasionally swollen hyphae were seen. Double clamp connections and those with anastomoses were noticed for the first time in vegetative mycelium of G. carnosum, as well as staghorn hyphae – in the mycelia of G. sinense and G. carnosum.

For millennia, fungi have been known by various communities as a valuable source of nutrition and medicines, however traditional view on mycobiota has changed throughout the history. A major role in this context played past scholars and scientists whose impact on attitude towards mushroom collection is also seen in our times. Their confrontation with traditional folk knowledge on mycobiota could be the cause of current division between mycophobic and mycophillic nations. The aim of this article is to present these changes from the perspective of Polish nation, which is currently considered as highly mycophillic. The visible change in scholars’ attitude towards fungi and acceptance of folk view on mushrooms took place not earlier than at the turn of XVIIIth and XIXth century. Long scientific reluctance to fungal kingdom has caused that knowledge about wild edible fungi is still limited and we still have broadly explore the world of fungi. With the right approach, mushrooms are able to provide us with many, possibly yet unknown benefits.

The Agaricales are the largest clade of mushroom-forming fungi, in Colombia, with 544 species of the approximately 16,000 species currently recognized worldwide in the phylum Basidiomycota. We document seven species of Agaricaceae for the first time from the Colombian Caribbean region. Two of these species are newly recorded from the country: Leucoagaricus lilaceus Singer and Leucoagaricus roseilividus (Murrill) E. Ludw. Five species are reported from the Colombian Caribbean for the first time: Agaricus griseorimosus Pegler, Chlorophyllum hortense (Murrill) Vellinga, Leucoagaricus rubrotinctus (Peck) Singer, Leucocoprinus cepistipes (Sowerby) Pat., and L. venezuelanus Dennis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A preliminary checklist of macromycetes has been previously published with reference to six governorates located in northern Tunisia. This paper provides an updated version of the inventory of macromycetes in Tunisia, which includes 268 species, of which seven are worldwide recognized as rare. The investigation was carried out from September 2015 to December 2018 in 13 governorates of the Tunisian territory. This updated checklist reports 145 new national species records (139 basidiomycetes and six ascomycetes) belonging to 57 genera and 13 families. Data related to distribution, ecology and preferential hosts of each recorded taxon are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports data on 24 new records of mushrooms in Azerbaijan. Fungal specimens were collected during 2014–2018 in Shaki District of Azerbaijan. These are Auriscalpium vulgare, Boletus aereus, B. edulis, B. variipes, Caloboletus radicans, Calocybe gambosa, Cantharellus subalbidus, Clavariadelphus pistillaris, Cortinarius triumphans, Hemileccinum depilatum, Hortiboletus rubellus, Hydnellum concrescens, Inonotus obliquus, Marasmius capillaries, Phaeomarasmius erinaceus, Phallus ravenelii, Ramaria obtusissima, Rheubabariboletus armeniacus, Rubroboletus legaliae, R. lupinus, R. satanas, Russula turci, Suillus collinitus, and Tremella mesenterica. For each specimen, its locality, biotope and collection data are indicated and photographs are provided.

Through a survey of macrofungi in Ghalajeh heights and its surrounding plains, conducted from 2014- 2017, twelve specimens of macroascomycota were collected. The specimens were identified on the basis of macro- and micro-morphological characteristics. The internal transcribed spacer sequences of the selected specimens were analyzed to confirm the morphological identification. Based on the results, five species, including Terfezia claveryi, Tirmania pinoyi, Helvella acetabulum, Picoa juniperi and Picoa lefebvrei were identified. T. claveryi and T.pinoyi species had been previously reported from Kermanshah Province, but H. acetabulum, P. juniperi and P. lefebvrei species were reported for the first time.

In fall 2018 and 2019, we assessed colonization by fungi on Douglas fir trees [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco], white pine (Pinus strobus L.), and red cedar (Thuja plicata D. Don.) on selected experimental plots of the former Prussian Experimental Station, where nonnative tree species were introduced from North America over a century ago. The presence of sporocarps on trunks, root collars, and stumps as well as the litter layer in the soil within a radius of 0.5 m around the trunk of the tree was determined. Additionally, the volume of dead wood on the forest floor of the entire plot was assessed. We recorded numerous fungi on trees and stumps as well as in the litter and soil. For the 31 plots in 12 forest districts, we determined 745 sporocarps of 48 taxa, with 335/19 on the wood of P. menziesii trees and stumps, 377/15 on P. strobus, and 33/6 on T. plicata trees. The highest share of trees with various trunk damage levels was found for T. plicata (70.3%) and the lowest for P. menziesii (6.2%). Among the root parasitic fungi, Heterobasidion sp. and Armillaria sp. were found, especially on the collars and stumps of T. plicata and P. strobus; we did not find basidiomata of both pathogens on P. menziesii. The volume of dead wood within the P. menziesii plots averaged 7.1 m3/ha, whereas in T. plicata plots, it was 56.3 m3/ha. We identified 10 taxa that have not been reported in association with P. strobus for Poland (Cylindrobasidium laeve, Dacrymyces sp., Exidia pithya, E. saccharina, Gymnopilus pnetrans, Leptoporus mollis, Mycena sanguinolenta, Tapinella panuoides, Trametes versicolor, and Xylaria hypoxylon) and three taxa (Exidia pithya, Leptoporus mollis, Serpula himantioides) associated with T. plicata.

Background: Scientists frequently raise the topic of data deficiency related to the abundance and distribution of macrofungi in the context of climate change. Our study is the first detailed documentation on locals' perception of fungal ecology which covers a large mycophilous region of Europe (Mazovia, Poland). Methods: A total of 695 semi-structured interviews were carried out among local informants in 38 localities proportionally distributed throughout the study area (one locality approximately every 30 km). Interview questions concerned fungi species collected, their perceived habitats, and whether any changes had been noted in their abundance. As many as 556 respondents provided information concerning fungal ecology. In these descriptions, 35 taxa were mentioned by at least 5 respondents. Results: The data collected during interviews allowed us to create collective folk descriptions of habitat preferences and a list of 98 different macro-, meso-, and microhabitats of macrofungi described by the respondents. This list of recurring habitats assigned to particular macrofungal taxa coincides with, and sometimes exceeds, data available in scientific publications. Some habitat preferences observed by the informants have not yet been researched or tested by science. Out of 695 respondents, 366 (53%) noticed a steady decrease in local macrofungi abundance, and only one person claimed to have observed a steady increase. Imleria badia was the only species with increased abundance, as noted by fifteen independent respondents. The main listed reason for abundance decrease was drought (f = 186). Conclusions: Collected information on the ecology of fungi shows that local knowledge does not generally diverge from scientific knowledge. The acquired information related to macrofungal abundance and ecology may also be used as a tool for the formulation of new scientific questions and theories. The analysis of local fungi observations might contribute to broadening knowledge about local changes in fungi and enable new estimations related to large-scale analysis of macrofungal abundance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Information is reported about 85 species of macrofungi found in the City of Petrozavodsk for the first time during surveys carried out in 2009–2018. The list includes 45 mycorrhizal species (apart from 2 facultative species – Clitocybe nebularis and Inocybe acuta) and 40 saprotrophic species (10 humus-dwelling, 9 forest floor dwellers, 18 xylotrophs, 2 species dwelling on macrofungal fruit bodies, and 1 on litterfall). There were 2 species registered for Karelia for the first time – Leccinum albostipitatum and Lycoperdon echinatum. Two species are listed in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Karelia – Amanita virosa and Imleria badia (category: rare, potentially vulnerable). With the new findings, the biota of macrofungi in Petrozavodsk comprises 196 species, i. e. 28.5 % of the total number of species of this fungal group known from the Republic of Karelia. Information about the trophic affiliations, habitats and distribution is given for each taxon.

Проблематика. Научные основы фоторегуляции биосинтетической активности съедобных и лекарственных макромицетов. Цель. Определение влияния способа культивирования макромицетов, концентрации углерода и азота на реализацию их фотоиндуцированной ростовой активности. Методика реализации. Посевной мицелий C. militaris, F. velutipes, H. erinaceus, L. edodes и P. ostreatus, облученный низкоинтенсивным лазерным светом в разных диапазонах длин волн при энергетичес­кой дозе облучения 230 мДж/см2, культивировали поверхностно на жидкой среде, а также глубинным способом. В качестве источника углерода использовали глюкозу, азота – пептон в различных концентрациях. Определяли накопление биомассы и эффективность потребления глюкозы. Результаты. Доказано, что степень реализации фотоиндукции зависит от состава питательной среды и способа культивирования макромицетов. Установлено, что для получения максимального стимулирующего эффекта после низкоинтенсивного лазерного излучения следует проводить глубинное культивирование фотоактивированного посевного мицелия. Кратковременное низкоинтенсивное лазерное излучение приводит к изменению трофики макромицетов и выражается в увеличении скорос­ти накопления биомассы и эффективности потребления глюкозы. Снижение концентрации глюкозы в среде повышает фотоиндуцированную активность посевного мицелия C. militaris, G. lucidum, L. edodes, H. erinaceus и P. ostreatus. Достоверного влияния концентрации азота на фотостимуляцию роста макромицетов не установлено. Выводы. Полученные результаты являются основанием для дальнейших исследований влияния различных факторов на фотоиндукцию биосинтетической активности съедобных и лекарственных грибов с целью интенсификации технологических этапов из культивирования.

Background: An ethnomycological study was conducted to describe the fungus concept and the traditional fungus classification system for the Nahuas of San Isidro Buensuceso, in central Mexico. The study which provides information on the co-existence of various forms of classification, based on both cultural and biological characteristics. Methods: The research included conducting community interviews and forest forays in the company of mushroom pickers. The triad technique, pile sorting, and fresh mushroom sampling methods were used. Traditional names were analyzed to describe the Nahua classification system for fungi. Results and conclusion: The triad technique with non-utilitarian stimuli allowed the fungi to be identified as an independent group of plants and animals. The Nahua people of San Isidro classify fungi primarily based on their use, where they grow, and by humoral characteristics. The analysis of the names revealed a classification based on the criteria proposed by Brent Berlin. This study identified the detailed knowledge of fungi in this Nahua community. The criteria used for the recognition of the species are very reliable, since they use organoleptic, ecological, phenological, and morphological characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In fall 2018 and 2019, we assessed colonization by fungi on Douglas fir trees [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco], white pine (Pinus strobus L.), and red cedar (Thuja plicata D. Don.) on selected experimental plots of the former Prussian Experimental Station, where nonnative tree species were introduced from North America over a century ago. The presence of sporocarps on trunks, root collars, and stumps as well as the litter layer in the soil within a radius of 0.5 m around the trunk of the tree was determined. Additionally, the volume of dead wood on the forest floor of the entire plot was assessed. We recorded numerous fungi on trees and stumps as well as in the litter and soil. For the 31 plots in 12 forest districts, we determined 745 sporocarps of 48 taxa, with 335/19 on the wood of P. menziesii trees and stumps, 377/15 on P. strobus, and 33/6 on T. plicata trees. The highest share of trees with various trunk damage levels was found for T. plicata (70.3%) and the lowest for P. menziesii (6.2%). Among the root parasitic fungi, Heterobasidion sp. and Armillaria sp. were found, especially on the collars and stumps of T. plicata and P. strobus; we did not find basidiomata of both pathogens on P. menziesii. The volume of dead wood within the P. menziesii plots averaged 7.1 m³/ha, whereas in T. plicata plots, it was 56.3 m³/ha. We identified 10 taxa that have not been reported in association with P. strobus for Poland (Cylindrobasidium laeve, Dacrymyces sp., Exidia pithya, E. saccharina, Gymnopilus pnetrans, Leptoporus mollis, Mycena sanguinolenta, Tapinella panuoides, Trametes versicolor, and Xylaria hypoxylon) and three taxa (Exidia pithya, Leptoporus mollis, Serpula himantioides) associated with T. plicata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to the study on the spatial distribution features of fungi - xylophytes and saprophytes - using the example of the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm.) in suburban plantations (Ukrainian Roztochya) and urbogenic conditions of the city of Lviv. The natural-climatic and forest-typological characteristics of the study region were revealed. Detailed attention was focused on the occurrence of this species in various types of plantings within suburban forest parks, parks, urban gardens and street plantings. The distribution of oyster mushroom individuals in the population was calculated according to the conventional Schwerdtfeger method. The urban-ecological conditions of the suburban and urban green plantings of the Lviv city revealed a high level of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm.) distribution, due to a set of favorable edaphoclimatic conditions of habitats, age and mechanical damage to trees. It was found that the distribution of the individuals in the suburban forests is half of that in the urban areas, which is confirmed by the calculation of variance (dispersion). The dispersion of oyster mushroom individuals in Lviv is 29.3 m2. With spontaneous arrangement of individuals, the value of the dispersion is approximately equal to the average value of the number of mushrooms in the population, while there is a tendency for accumulation of the studied macromycetes (S2≥ m). In urban plantings, the dispersion of individuals is twice as large as in forests, which indicates the wide possibilities for the oyster mushroom spores dispersal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment conducted in the Kampinos National Park since 2015 was aimed at assessing the sprouting ability of black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) in response to different measures of mechanical control and mycobiota colonizing the dying trees. Basal cut-stump, cutting at ca. 1 m above the ground and girdling were performed on 4 terms, two plots and applied to 25 trees, 600 trees in total. Sprouts were removed every 8 weeks since the initial treatment for 4 consecutive growing seasons, except winter-treated trees. At the end of the fourth season of control, 515 out of 600 trees were dead (86%): 81% on Lipków and 90% on Sieraków plot. Among 18 experiment variants with sprouts removal, 17 showed more than 80% of dead trees. The lowest, 76% share, concerned summer cut-stump at the base of the tree. For winter measures, the share of dead trees was lower in all cases and ranged from 28% to 64% proving that sprouts removal contributes to the drop of sprouting strength and quicker dying of the trees. Almost 80% of trees showed sporocarps that represented 51 taxa of macrofungi in total, including 6 Ascomycota and 45 Basidiomycota. The group of six most frequently encountered fungi includes: Hyphoderma setigerum, Bjerkandera adusta, Peniophora cinerea, Armillaria ostoyae, Nectria cinnabarina, Stereum hirsutum. Both plots had similar share of black cherry individuals with sporocarps of macrofungi, that is, 81% and 78% for Sieraków and Lipków respectively. The share of colonized trees and the number of reported macrofungal taxa increased significantly compared to the year following the treatment. In addition, the composition of macrofungi changed with the progressing dying of trees. These results broaden the knowledge about macroscopic fungi colonising and living on black cherry within its secondary range of distribution. Moreover, one macrofungus and two microfungi new for KNP are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing evidence that mushrooms (fruiting bodies) can be suitable for biogeochemical prospecting for minerals and as indicators of heavy metal and radioactive contaminants in the terrestrial environment. Apart from the nutritional aspect, knowledge of accumulation dynamics and distribution of elements in fruiting bodies, from emergence to senescence, is essential as is standardization when choosing mushroom species as potential bioindicators and for monitoring purposes. We studied the effect of fruitbody developmental stage on the contents of the elements (Li, K, V, Cr, Mn, Mg, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Ag, Al, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, Pb, Tl and U) in the individual parts of the Amanita muscaria fruiting body. Elements such as K, Mg, Mn, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn and Se remained similar throughout all developmental stages studied, however for K, differences occurred in the values of caps and stipes, as expressed by the cap to stipe concentration quotient (index Q C/S). The other elements quantified, i.e., Li, V, Cr, As, Rb, Sr, Ag, Al, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, Pb, Tl and U are considered as nonessential or toxic (with the exception of V in A. muscaria). Their accumulation in the fruiting bodies and their distribution between cap and stipe did not show a uniform pattern. Pb, Sb, Tl, Ba, Sr, Li, Rb and Cs decreased with increasing maturity of the fruitbodies, implying that translocation, distribution and accumulation in stipes and caps was not a continuous process, while V, Cr, As, Ag, Cd, and U remained at the same concentration, similarly to the essential elements. Our results for A. muscaria confirm that elemental distribution in different parts of fruiting bodies is variable for each element and may change during maturation. Soil properties, species specificity and the pattern of fruitbody development may all contribute to the various types of elemental distribution and suggest that the results for one species in one location may have only limited potential for generalization. Image 1 • Elemental distribution may change during the maturation of fruiting bodies. • K was higher in stipes of mature fruiting bodies than in young ones, but not in caps. • Rb, Cs, Pb, Sb, Tl and Ba were higher in younger than in mature fruiting bodies. • Cu, Zn, Mg and Mn in Amanita muscaria show little change during maturation. • Patterns of Cd, Ag and As were similar to the bio-elements Cu, Zn, Mg, Mn, Se, V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite de fact that the Danube Delta has a great biodiversity with more than 2300 plants and more than 4000 animals registered (http://www.ddbra.ro/rezervatia/deltadunarii/biodiversitate), the study of macromycetes is rather scanty, and the number of macromycetes species found so far in the Reserve is 58. As a result of the mycological investigations done by the authors in 2016 May 7-8 and October 21-22 in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve in the Letea Forest, Caraorman Forest and at the forest district’s former premises near C.A. Rosetti, the list of the recorded 130 species is presented, out of which 110 species are documented for the first time in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDBR). The number of the macrofungi species that occur in the formentioned Reserve - including the buffer zone from Enisala - has grown to 168. Based on the red list of the romanian macromycetes (Tănase and Pop, 2005) we have found three species in the near threatened category (NT): Helvella acetabulum, Morchella esculenta and Pluteus petasatus, and one species in the vulnerable category (VU): Myriostoma coliforme. A short survey from 1932 to 2012 about the former mycological studies concerning the DDBR is presented, and the nomenclaturally updated list of the 38 species not found by us, but present in the DDBR is given.

Edible macrofungi are being increasingly cultivated as they are seen as a sustainable and popular food around the world. This trend is paralleled by the similar increase in the use of rare earth elements (REE) in consumer goods, which has raised the possibility of contamination in mushrooms. There is a growing recognition of REE as emerging environmental contaminants because of their occurrence in foodstuffs. Reports investigating REE occurrence in edible fungi have emerged over the last few years with some very recent data suggesting concentrations as high as ≤ 37,000 μg kg−1 dw. Critical assessment of some studies has shown that some of REE concentration data reported in cultivated mushroom may be compromised by deficiencies in the analytical methodologies. These reports are characterised by unusual occurrence patterns that do not follow the fundamental rules of elemental occurrence (The Oddo-Harkins order). The available data has been critically assessed for reported concentrations as well as occurrence patterns, taking into account the methods used for REE determination. The results indicate that a significant proportion of the data are likely to be unsuitable for the purposes of risk assessment of human exposure to REE or to evaluate any increasing trend of REE contamination in food. Reliable analytics are an essential tool in chemical studies in life sciences, and this approach covers both routine and atypical studies, such as experiments with REE in mycology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungi play an important role in nature and human life having valuable nutritional and medicinal properties, although their value is not limited. Various fungi species contribute to normal development of trees and shrubs as they are involved in the process of circulation of substances and enhancing soil fertility. As continuous tree felling radically alters and destroys fungi habitat, protection and preservation of rare species of biodiversity of the Ukrainian Carpathians, including fungi, and the development and implementation of measures for their reproduction are of cardinal importance. Consequently, our research aims at investigating the fungi role and their protection and conservation methods in forest ecosystems. We present the results of the study of micobiota in Uholsko environmental research department of the Carpathians Biosphere Reserve, the National Nature Park "Enchanted Land" and Gorgany Reserve. As a result of mycological examination in Uholsko virgin beech forests of the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve, we have distinguished 53 species of tree destroying fungi-xylotrophes. We also identified 12 fungi species in the National Nature Park "Enchanted Land", and 7 species in Gorgany Reserve. Then, we have analysed fungi species and diversity of the Ukrainian Carpathians included in the Red Book of Ukraine. The authors have noted the macromycetes role for nature and human lives as well. Finally, some measures concerning fungi protection and preservation are proposed in the research. To conclude we should confirm that the basic step in ensuring the protection and preservation of rare species of fungi is providing an inventory of these species and their communities. Thus we should identify disappearing species and make their list, provide clear boundaries and set the proper regime of each area protection necessary for the preservation of certain species; distinguish the category of species and determine their distribution area. Organizing the protection of rare species habitats and searching new populations of macromycetes listed in the Red Book of Ukraine on protected areas of the Ukrainian Carpathians are advisable to arrange in the nearest future. We also suggest developing specific programs for the protection and creation of natural complexes to help save species that play an important role in forest biocenoses.

The article contains original data, accumulated over several years, about mushrooms from the forests of downy oak, inventoried during the growing seasons in 1976-2015. The paper includes a systematic list of all the species inventoried to date, with short eco-chorological descriptions. The rare and protected species are also listed.