Diversity and Distribution of Termitomyces spp. in Central and Northern Kerala, India

Kerala, situated in southern India, provides an ideal environment for Termitomyces mushrooms due to its warm temperatures, high humidity, and monsoon-driven rainfall. These termite-associated mushrooms thrive well in nutrient-rich soils like laterite, forest loam, and coastal sandy, supporting their symbiotic relationship with termites of the Macrotermitinae subfamily. Termitomyces mushrooms, collected from natural habitats are highly prized for their rich nutritional composition and medicinal value. The edible mushroom occurring during the monsoon season is being consumed in Kerala for long time which reflects their cultural and dietary significance. The genus, documented by Heim (1942), showcases unique ecological niche, with over 30 known species globally and 22 reported in India and 15 species in Kerala. Mushroom survey carried out from October 2023 to October 2024 across Thrissur, Wayanad, and Kasaragod districts identified 28 T. ermitomyces samples from different agro-ecological units. Morphological and molecular characterization revealed the prevalence of species such as T. microcarpus, T. srilankensis, T. fuliginosus, T. heimii, and T. eurrhizusin the surveyed locations. The study highlights significant variation in pileus size, stipe morphology, and microscopic features, such as basidia, basidiospores and cystidial structures which are unique for different species. The recurrently occurred species was T. microcarpus in diverse habitats, while erratic ones like T. eurrhizuswas isolated from moist habitat. These findings contribute to understanding the biodiversity of Termitomyces in Kerala, emphasizing their importance for further research and conservation.