Wild mushrooms are a valuable source of natural non-timber forest products, as well as a promising source of bioactive biomolecules with ecological utility in the proper functioning of ecosystems. The aim of this work is to acquire a knowledge base on the diversity of higher fungi in their natural biotopes, and to understand their ecology and identification in order to make a contribution to their inventory in the study area. The Trara massif is a coastal mountain range in the western extension of the Tellian Atlas, located on the north-western coast of Algeria. The massif's vegetation consists mainly of pines and cypresses. The Mediterranean climate is characterized by seasonal rainfall and a dry period. Few data are available on macromycetes in Algeria, and in this context we thought it would be useful to carry out a preliminary inventory of fungi in this region. The mycological surveys were carried out from 2021 to 2023. Recognition of harvested macromycetes was based on a series of apparent macroscopic characteristics and microscopic observation in the fresh state or with Lugol's and Melzer's reagents, and measurement of spores and fungal structures. Macrochemical reactions of the various parts can also be useful. The nomenclature adopted in this research is that of the Index Fungorum. This survey revealed 36 species belonging to 17 families classified into 4 orders with 26 genera: Boletaceae, Suillaceae, Paxillaceae, Tricholomataceae, Pleurotaceae, Hygrophoraceae, Mycenaceae, Marasmiaceae, Psathyrellaceae, Agaricaceae, Amanitaceae, Lycoperdaceae, Strophariaceae, Hymenogastraceae, Pluteaceae, Gloeophyllaceae, and Pezizaceae. Three species of Lichens and one Myxomycete were also inventoried. Some species were good edibles, such as Agaricus campestris, Pleurotus eryngii var ferulae, and Lepista nuda. Access to trustworthy information on the state and location of ecological communities makes biodiversity conservation and sustainable management in forested landscapes much easier.
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Mushrooms biodiversity inventories of the Trara Mountains in northwest Algeria
Published:
14 October 2024
by MDPI
in The 3rd International Electronic Conference on Diversity
session Plant Diversity
Abstract:
Keywords: Mushrooms; Inventory; Biodiversity; Ecological Systems; Trara Mountains