Study on tree inhabiting Mushrooms in Tirunelveli Corporation area, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

The diverse array of fungi and their inherent beauty hold a significant position in the
biological realm. Numerous research works have aimed to record the global fungal
biodiversity. However, only a small portion of the total fungal diversity has been thoroughly
reported, and mycologists are persistently uncovering the uncharted and concealed resources.
Studies on macrofungi have attracted considerable interest from both scientists and the
general public due to their crucial contributions to human welfare, the food industry,
medicinal products, and biodegradation processes. The aim of the current research was to
document the diversity of various macrofungal species in the Tirunelveli Corporation area of
Tamil Nadu. Surveys were carried out during the rainy season from October 2023 to
February 2024 across different sampling locations. The macrofungi were collected,
identified, preserved, and all specimens were photographed. This study identified 32
mushroom species belonging to 19 families within the Tirunelveli Corporation area, with the
majority classified under Polyporales, comprising 13 species, followed by Agaricales with 12
species. The findings of this study highlight the high species richness of the survey site.