BIODIVERSITY, DISTRIBUTION AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF MACROFUNGI IN SYLHET AND MOULVIBAZAR UNDER TROPICAL EVERGREEN AND SEMI- EVERGREEN FOREST REGIONS OF BANGLADESH

A. Tanjim, F. M. Aminuzzaman, M. Rahaman and J. F. Tanni. Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History Received: 12 September 2019 Final Accepted: 14 October 2019 Published: November 2019

Macrofungi are sold in traditional markets or commercially exploited as food or medicines. Some of the edible species like Termitomyces eurrhizus, Lentinus conatus,Schizophyllum commune, Tricholoma giganteum and Pleurotus are sold in the markets of Kohima district of Nagaland by the local people (Tanti et al.,2011). In-spite ofrich diversity of macrofungi in Nagaland state very few studies have been reported on diversity and market survey from North-Eastern Hills of India (Verma et al.,1995;Singh et al., 2007 andSarma et al., 2010). Detailed study on biodiversity, distribution and morphological characterization of macrofungi in tropical moist deciduous forest, mangrove forest and social forest have been carried out (Rumainul et  Source of data and sampling procedure A systematic sampling procedure was used baseline survey. Eight locations under tropical evergreen and semievergreen forest of Sylhet and Moulovibazar districts were selected for conducting survey analysis on mushroom biodiversity, distribution, habitat and morphology. A pre-designed collection procedure and data analysis procedure were used to collect information on level of knowledge on biodiversity, habitat and morphology of macrofungi.

Collection of macrofungi samples
Detailed survey was carried out in 8 locations such as-Sylhet (Jaintiapur, Gowainghat, Jaflong, Tilagor Eco Park) and Moulavibazar (Sreemangal, Madhabkundu, Lawachara, Barlekha) of Bangladesh from July to October, 2016, to record the morphological variability in the macrofungi population. The collection was made by method given by (Hailing,1996). Spotted macrofungi were inspected in their natural habitats and brought to laboratory for detailed study. Photographs were taken by means of a Sony Camera with power of 16 megapixels. The collected macro fungi were studied for their macroscopic detail partnering the habit, habitat, morphology and other phenotypic parameter noted in fresh form. Standard methods of collection, preservation, macroscopic and microscopic preservations were 569 recorded. Collected specimens were preserved as dried specimens in the Plant Pathology Laboratory of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University.

Processing of macrofungi
Freshly harvested macrofungi was washed by water for removing debris. It has been realized that merely fleshy collected mushroom is of no use unless these are properly preserved. During the analysis period some precautions were followed before processing of macrofungi were followed on the basis of study purpose and structure of the mushroom (Kim, 2004).

Drying
Collected specimens were dried by using electrical air flow drier. The power supply capacity of this drier was 1000 voltage, which easily remove moisture from collected mushroom within three to seven hours with regular interval basis power supply (15 minutes switch off and 30 minutes switching) depending on the structure and texture of the species (Kim, 2004).

Storage
Dried macrofungi were stored in Zip lock poly bag during research period. Silica gel was used at the rate of 10% of dry basis during the storage period. Collecting specimens dried with the help of electric dryer dried specimens are preserved with 10% silica gel (Kim, 2004).

Morphological observation
Data on the following parameters were recorded for identification of macrofungi such as locality, habitat, type of soil, forest type, size of the fructification, carpophores shape, umbo, scale, the gills, color, gills edges, stipes, length, width, color, shape, type of veil, annuls (position), volva, (Srivastava and Bano, 2010). Cap color, cap surface, cap margin, cap diameter, stipe length, gill attachment, gill spacing and spore print. Individual spore characteristics like shape, size and color were recorded. For this purpose, compound microscope (Motic BA210) was used and measuring shape, size and color with help of Motic Images Plus 2.0software. Final identification and classification were done by comparing recorded characteristics of macrofungi with the color dictionary of mushroom given by (Dickinson and Lucas, 1982), the mushroom guide and followed by the reference of (Jordan, 2004) and (Pegler and Spooner, 1997).

Morphological characterization procedures
The basidiocarps were rehydrated by soaking in water for few minutes before analyzing their morphology. Qualitative characters such as color, shape, and presence of hymenia were evaluated by eye observation while texture was determined by feeling the back and top surfaces using fingers. Most of the morphological data were recorded during collection period that is when the mushroom was in fresh form. For microscopic characters, permanent glass slides were made from rehydrated basidiocarps with the aid of a sharp surgical blade. Basidiocarps were immersed in cotton blue stain and glycerin and placed on glass slides and covered with cover slips. Motic compound microscope (40x) were used to observe the slides. Spore size was measured by Motic Images plus 2.0 software.

Habitat, distribution and diversity analysis
The specimens were found attached to various substrata. The surrounding environment temperature, soil , moisture condition, vegetation recorded for biodiversity of macrofungi.Soil , soil moisture were measured by pH meter and air temperature by thermometer during collection period. Collected samples were wrapped in polybag and brought to the laboratory for their further study. The frequency and density of different species has been determined by the following formulas (Zoberi, 1973).

Ecological features
Habit: Clustered and constancy of occurrence in specific habitat was abundant. Type of soil was sandy to sandy loam; factor affecting their distribution was less moist weather. The frequency of its presence was 12.5% and the density was 268%.

Ecological features
Habit: Scattered and constancy of occurrence in specific habitat was unabundant. Type of soil was sandy to sandy loam; factor affecting their distribution was dry weather. The frequency of its presence was 37.5% and the density was 12%.
1. Scientific Name: Ganoderma applanatum 2. Two species of Coprinus were indentified under Agaricaceae family viz. Coprinus disseminates and one unidentified Coprinus with the frequency of 25, 12.5% and density of 16, 26.8%, respectively. The spore color were dark brown and creamy with spore size was 8.6×8.4 μm and 17.2×9.3μm, respectively which was collected from Neem (Azadirachta indica) tree and also from the soil surface. The findings of the present study was supported by (Das et al., 2017). The collected Coprinus disseminates with white colored spore and size of spore was 12.3×7.2μm from the mangrove forest. Another unidentified Coprinus sp. with the frequency of 12.5% and density of 26.8% and the spore color were dark brown and creamy with spore size was 8.6×8.4μm and 17.2×9.3μm that was unique characteristics which was not supported previous study.
Four species of Ganoderma were found during collection such as-Ganoderma spp., Ganoderma tsugae, Ganoderma applanatum and Ganoderma boninense from Sylhet division. The frequencies of collected of Ganoderma were 37.5, 12.5, 12.5% and the densities were 12, 24, 4%, respectively. The color of Ganoderma tsugae was dark brown and white, Ganoderma applanatum was dark brown and Ganoderma boninense was brick red. The spore size of Ganoderma spp. were 13.2×8.9μm, 11.8×8.7μm and 9.2×6.8μm, accordingly. These Ganoderma spp. were collected from soil, Mehogani (Swietenia macrophylla) and Shimul (Bombax ceiba) tree, respectively. The findings of the present study was supported by  and (Rubina et al., 2017).
Two species of Daedaleopsis found on the Telsur (Hopea odorata) and Koroi (Albizzia procera) tree such as-Daedaleopsis confragosa and Daedaleopsis sp. from Tilagor Eco Park, Lawachara and Jaflong, respectively. The color and spores size were dark brown and white and the spores size were 8.6×5.8μm and 6.2×5.8μm, respectively. The frequencies of Daedaleopsis spp. were 25, 12.5% and the densities were 28 and 12%, respectively from soil and the Koroi (Albizia lebbeck) tree.
One species of Trametes sp. was identified from Sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo) tree with the frequency 12.5% and density of 36% respectively. The color of spores was dark brown and the spores size were 8.2×6.4μm. The findings of the present study was supported by .
One species of Volvariella sp. found in Tilagor Eco Park and Barlekha which spores was dark yellow and Spore size were 14.1×8.4μm. The findings of the present study was supported by (Rumainul et al., 2015).
Tylopilus rubrobrunneus was collected on the root zone of Neem (Azadirachta indica) from Sreemangal and Jaflong with the frequency and density of 25 and 4%, respectively. The spores color was dark brown and black with the size of 12.1×8.7μm. The results of that study was supports with our findings of (Murray, 2013) where the color of spore was dark brown.
Two species of Schizophyllum found such as-Schizophyllum commune and unidentified Schizophyllum sp. were collected from Sreemangal, Madhabkundu and Jaintiapur. The spores color was brown with the size of 11.6× 9.6μm and 7.6× 7.4μm, respectively. These species were collected from Kala koroi (Albizia lebbeck) and Kadam (Anthocephalus chinensis) tree, respectively. The findings of the present study was supported by (Murray,2013) and (Chandulal et al., 2013). The Schizophyllum commune and unidentified Schizophyllum sp.species were also recorded on the Sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo) tree by (Das et al., 2016) from Mangrove forest and deciduous forest (Rumainul et al., 2015) of Bangladesh. it can be concluded that tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forest regions of Bangladesh shows distinct biodiversity and distribution of macrofungal population. However, the list of macrofungi in this study provides the baseline information needed for the assessment of changes in biological diversity in Sylhet division. It is an important first step towards producing a checklist of macrofungi in Sylhet division of Bangladesh. Through this study we are reporting the existing biodiversity of macrofungi in this region for the first time.
Further study may be needed to ensure the occurrence, diversity, distribution, edibility or toxicity of newly evolved macrofungi in Tropical Evergreen and Semi-Evergreen Forest regions of Bangladesh and their seasonal variation of distribution in respect to different forests of Bangladesh.