Macrofungal diversity in the Pantanal Neighborhood, Santo Antônio do Içá, Amazonas, Brazil

The diversity of macrofungi is as vast as it is unique, being of great importance both for the decomposition of organic matter and for the biological balance in various natural ecosystems. Macrofungi are present in foods from various cultures, as they contain proteins, carbohydrates, among other components. In addition, they are frequently used for medicinal purposes, mainly for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and other benefits present in the substrates of these fungi. The work was conducted through records in different locations, where different species were found. Most of these species belong to the phyla Basidiomycota and Ascomycota, and are characterized as fungi that have macroscopic reproductive structures, manifesting themselves as carpophores, mushrooms, or sporocarps. The main objectives of this study were to record and describe the macrofungi identified in the Pantanal neighborhood, in the municipality of Santo Antônio do Içá, during the month of February 2023. The search was conducted in humid places after periods of rain, when they frequently emerge on substrates such as trunks, branches, and leaves. As a result, 12 species of macrofungi were recorded, five of which (Auricularia delicata, Phallus indusiatus, Favolus yanomami, Dacryopinax spathularia e Gerronema sp.) were described in detail, addressing their main morphological characteristics, biological activities and main chemical compounds. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to present, through records and descriptions, the diversity of macrofungi existing in the Pantanal neighborhood, in the municipality of Santo Antônio do Içá Amazonas.