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Terrestrial Macrofungal Diversity from the Tropical Dry Evergreen Biome of Southern India and its Potential Role in Aerobiology

Summary

This research investigated mushrooms and other large fungi in southern India to understand their diversity and their role in releasing spores into the air we breathe. The study found 113 different species of fungi, with most growing on trees rather than the ground. These fungi release spores that can travel long distances through the air and potentially affect human health and the environment. Impacts on everyday life: – Understanding which fungi in our environment may cause allergies or respiratory problems – Helping predict seasonal fungal spore levels that could affect sensitive individuals – Providing knowledge about beneficial fungi that help maintain forest health – Contributing to air quality monitoring and forecasting – Identifying potentially edible or medicinal mushroom species in local environments

Background

Macrofungi have long been studied for their food and medicinal properties, but their role as primary biological aerosol particles (PBAPs) in the atmosphere has been poorly investigated. Only 50% of the estimated 1.5 million fungi worldwide have been identified, with macrofungi representing 41,000 species globally. In India, despite containing one-third of global fungal diversity, only about 2% of macrofungi have been reported.

Objective

The study had two main objectives: 1) To characterize macrofungi from a tropical dry evergreen biome in southern India using advanced molecular techniques to enhance the regional database, and 2) To assess whether identified macrofungal species are potential sources of atmospheric PBAPs.

Results

A total of 113 unique macrofungal species belonging to 54 genera and 23 families were identified. Basidiomycota constituted 96% of species while Ascomycota made up 4%. The highest species richness was found in Agaricaceae (25.3%), followed by Polyporaceae (15.3%) and Marasmiaceae (10.8%). Tree-dwelling species showed higher diversity compared to ground-dwelling macrofungi. Spore morphology revealed predominantly ellipsoidal shapes with sizes ranging from 3-12 μm. The Gaussian plume modeling demonstrated that released spores could travel significant distances and maintain concentrations of 35 spores/m3 even at 100m from the source.

Conclusion

The study provides baseline information on macrofungal diversity in a tropical dry evergreen ecosystem, with Basidiomycota being the dominant phylum. Tree-dwelling macrofungi showed greater diversity and abundance. The research demonstrated that macrofungi can act as significant sources of atmospheric bioaerosols, with spores capable of traveling long distances. This work contributes valuable data to plant pathology, epidemiology, aerobiology, and biomechanics research in India.
  • Published in:PLoS One,
  • Study Type:Field Study,
  • Source: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169333
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