The Diversity and Ecology of Macromycetes on Soils of Adjara, Georgia

The publication is devoted to the study of the diversity of the species composition of macromycetes on different soils of Adjara, Georgia. The aim of the study was to identify and determine the composition of on different macroscopic fungi in different soils; establishment of the scale of development and spread of macromycetes in adverse and favorable conditions. Morphological features of collected fruiting bodies, such as shape, size, colour, odor, hymenophore and velum types, etc., were analysed. Spore slides were prepared in glycerin and fuchsin acid and observed under a light microscope. Some samples were isolated on a Malt agar medium, and macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of isolates were observed for precise identification. Identifications were done using relevant literature. At locations in the outdoor area and in the greenhouse, a total of 165 macrofungal species were recorded fruiting on soil, between them 35 species are considered edible, 14 poisonous, while 106 species are inedible Most of the species belong to the division Basidiomycota (151) and only 14 to the division Ascomycota. Identified species distributed in 5 Classes, 13 Orders, 36 families and 68 Genuse. The highest number of soil-inhabiting basidiomycetous macrofungal species was in the forest soil plot (116), followed by the Pasture soil (29). The on families with the highest number of species was Russulaceae (17%), Agaricaceae (15%), Boletaceae (12%), Cortinariaceae (9%) and Psathyrellaceae - 8%, The remaining 31 families-39%. Lactarius, Cortinarius, Russula, Amanita and et al., were the richest genus. All 6 substrates studied, it observed that the species that had a higher frequency were Agaricus subrufescens, Calvatia cyathiformis and Leucocoprinus cretaceus, occurring in soil, soil/litter and pasture. On the other hand, Agaricus campestris, A. rufoaurantiacus, Chlorophyllum hortense and Volvopluteus earlier among others, were collected only from two substrates (soil/and plant residue). The other genera (most of it) occurred in only one substrate. Peaks macromycetes was in May and October, when the average temperature remained between 22 - 26°C and relative humidity between 78% and 92%. The occurrence of macromycetes was higher in May, when the temperature was milder and stable on average 24°C. Found that Adjara support a large and diverse community of macrofungi fruiting on soil, many species of which are previously undiscovered and undescribed. On this basis, works of longer duration and more intensive sampling are needed to obtain data regarding fungal communities, with more attention to specific variables such as microclimate, soil moisture, soil type, soil pH and vegetation types.

Poisonous fungi

This chapter covers poisoning by members of the fungal subkingdom Dikarya that includes most of the ‘higher fungi’. The phylum Ascomycota contains the medically important toxic fungi Claviceps purpurea, the cause of ergotism, Aspergillus flavus, a source of hepatotoxic and carcinogenic aflatoxins, the edible but potentially toxic morel mushrooms (Morchella species), Gyromitra species, and Podostroma cornudamae that has caused multisystem symptoms and signs. The phylum Basidiomycota includes the order Agaricales (gilled mushrooms/toadstools or agarics) to which most of the medically important larger fungi belong. ‘Mushroom’ and ‘toadstool’ may suggest ‘edible’ and ‘poisonous’ respectively, but these terms are not strictly applied. Poisonous species must be distinguished from field (Agaricus campestris) and cultivated (A. bisporus) mushrooms and from the many other mushrooms that are considered to be delicious and are passionately sought after by mycophiles worldwide.