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Journal of Plant Science and Research

Research Article


Termitomyces: New to the Science

Hari Prasad Aryal1*, Suresh Kumar Ghimire2 and Usha Budhathoki2

1Bhairahawa Multiple Campus, Siddarthanagar, Institute of Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Nepal


2Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal


Corresponding author: Hari Prasad Aryal, Bhairahawa Multiple Campus, Siddarthanagar, Institute of Science andTechnology, Tribhuvan University, Nepal; E-mail: hahariprasadaryal06@gmail.com


Citation: Hari Prasad Aryal, Ghimire SK, Budhathoki U. Termitomyces: New to the Science. J Plant Sci Res. 2016;3(1): 148.


Copyright © 2016 Aryal HP, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


Journal of Plant Science & Research | ISSN: 2349-2805 | Volume: 3, Issue: 1


Submission: 13/05/2016; Accepted: 06/06/2016; Published: 10/06/2016


Abstract


Termitomyces palpensis Aryal and T. arghakhanchensis Aryal, collected within an altitudinal range of 800-1500 m a.s.l in subtropical deciduous forest during 2010-2012 is described and illustrated. Its macro- and microscopic features delimit this taxon as a new species in science.


Keywords: Agaricales; Arghakhanchi; Palpa; Siwalik; Symbiosis; Taxonomy.

Introduction


The genus Termitomyces is represented by 30 species world over [1]. Regarding the Termitomyces mushrooms in Nepal, there are the records of two species from (Banepa) Central Nepal, T. eurrhizus at 1200 m a.s.l. [2], from Kathmandu valley at 1350 m a.s.l. [3], from Shaktikhor-Chitwan at 300 m a.s.l. [4], from Twanrakhola-Makawanpur at 500 m a.s.l. [5] and T. clypeatus from Kathmanduvalley at 1350 m a.s.l. [6]; 1500 m a.s.l. [7]; and from Dolpa hill at 2954 m a.s.l. [8] and 12 species are taxonomically described [9-12] and 15species of Termitomyces are listed during on ethno mycological study[13].


Termitophilous fungi are a monophyletic group of tropical gilledmushrooms belonging to the genus Termitomyces. They are uniquefungi that grow in close and intimate association with termites fora group of termitophilous agarics. It comprises fungi that live in anobligate symbiosis with termites of the subfamily Macrotermitinae [14].


Several samples of a Termitomyces species, growing ontermatorium of the vegetation, dominated by members of theDipterocarpaceae, Combretaceae and Leguminosae were collected.Collections have been made in –pre, -during and –post monsoon,possibly as a result of its subtropical affinities, when most agarics grow in the study area. The species are characterized by typical agaricoid carpophores pluteoid, entire and incurved margin, usually fleshy, large often sharply, differentiated umbo, stipe central, spore print brownish to pinkish, lamellae free to adnexed but with decurrenttooth, crowded, white to pink in colour. Their stipe has cylindrical,solid, fibrous and smooth with pseudorrhiza. It has cylindrical andwidening at certain depth, than narrowing down to the point ofattachment to the termite nest, its length determined by the depthof the termite comb and with simple veil, hyphae, inamyloids, witha hilum of the open pore type, ellipsoid, smooth, basidia normal,cystidia present, tramal hyphae inamyloids, with or without clampconnection, trame system monomitic, presence of thin walledpyriform cheilocystidia and hymenophoral trama hyaline.


Materials and Methods


Basidiocarps from the study area (Palpa & Arghakhanchidistrict of Masyam & Thada VDC) (Figure 1 and 2), the collection wasentirely based on their sexual reproductive structures [15]. The habitand habitat including ecological parameters were recorded by theaccessory equipment.


Figure 1: Sample collection sites.


Figure 2: Sample collection sites.


The collections were examined from fresh material of bothmacro- and microscopically with a compound microscope (OlympusCX 22). The specimens were mounted in 5% KOH, 0.01% cotton blueand lactophenol [1]. Amyloidity of spores was observed by using Melzer’s reagent [16]. The measurements were taken with the help ofocular micrometer (1div. =11.66μm under 100x, 3.75μm under 400xand 1.66μm under 1000x). At least 20 spores were measured fromlamellae. Selected microscopic photograph was taken by Sony DSC-S980 mounted on the microscope.


The voucher specimens were identified using publication of[117-20] and on line data base [21-24]. Herbarium specimens were rehydrated in 3% KOH and have been deposited at the Natural History museum (NHM), Swayambhu, Tribhuvan University, Nepal.


Results and Discussion


Termitomyces palpensis Aryal


Local name: Bhalu mugan (Magar)


Taxonomic position: Division: Basidiomycota class:Agarocomycetes sub-class: Agaricomycetidae order: Agaricalesfamily: Tricholomataceae [25].


Identifying characters: The most distinguishing characters ofthis species are fleshy agaric with greyish brown cap, umbonate, whitegills and bulbous base of stipe with pseudorrhiza. The basidiocarpsscattered to gregarious on termite mounds or on soil, rare, odourpleasant, taste excellent, edible. Generally found in high altitude(800-1500 m a.s.l.) in late to post monsoon on termatorium of thevegetation, dominated by member of the, Combretaceae.


Etymology: The species name relates to the district (Palpa) of the type locality from where the species was collected.


Description


Sporophores: Usually growing solitary in termite hills,characterized by its obligate symbiont with termites; usually centrallystipitate white but olivaceous near the umbonal region (Figure 3).


Figure 3: Termitomyces palpensis sp. nov., a) Termite in termire nest, b) Basidiocarp dorsal view, c) Basidiocarp ventral view, d) Umbonate papilla, e) Spore print,f) Lamellae difference (1div=11.66 μm), g) Spores (1div=11.66 μm) and h) Basidium with spores (1div=3.75 μm).


Pileus: Size 9-15 cm, (Medium size), greyish brown pale towardthe margin and olivaceous near the umbonal region, umbonate,incurved margin, surface smooth, radially striate, Perforatoriumumbo and brown in colour. Lamellae: Free, white, dense. Stipe: Size10 × 2 cm, solid, swollen at base i.e. bulbous base, whitish to paleyellow in colour, surface smooth, fibrillose, absence of annulus.Pseudorrhiza: Size 5 × 0.5 cm, buffy brown in colour, solid,cylindrical. Pseudorrhiza: 5 × 0.5 cm long, solid, brown in colour,cylindrical, surface glabrous, smooth, widening at certain depth, thennarrowing down to the point of attachment to the termite nest, itslength determined by the depth of the termite comb. Flesh: Grey,soft, inflated, clamp connection absent, nonamyloid. Spore Print:pinkish. Basidia: 17.5 × 6.5 μm. Basidiospores: 4.5 × 3.5 μm, oblong.Cystidia: 25 × 15 μm. Hymenophoral trama: regular


Habitat: On termite nests in subtropical hill forest. Fruitingseason: August-October.


Phenolphthalein : Sugarcane


NH3OH : No reaction


KOH : White


FeSo4 solution : No reaction


FeSo4 crystal : Stipe: outer: White, and inner: Sunrise, Cap: White, Gills: Sugarcane.


Iodine : Dorsal: white, Ventral: Beacon.


Specimen examined: Growing on termite nest, common. Palpa(Masyam), 816 m a.s.l., long. 83.50969°E, lat. 27.76451° N, Aspect:270° W, Slop: 50° S/W, Temp.: 21.9-26.8°C, Humidity: 79-87 %, SoilpH: 6.2 Time: 9:43 am, Date: 04.08.2010, Collected by Aryal, H.P.,VN-1008184-CDBP, Accession No. NHM TU 2-2-1680. Propose fornew to Science.


Edibility: They are edible and its syrup is used for the remedy of jaundice, diarrhoea.


Distribution: Ranging 800-1500 m a.s.l. in Nepal.


Termitomyces arghakhanchensis Aryal.


Local name: Tuse cyau (Khash)


Taxonomic position: Division: Basidiomycota class:Agaricomycetes sub-class: Agaricomycetidae order: Agaricalesfamily: Tricholomataceae [25].


Identifying characters: The most distinguishing characters ofthis species are medium size cap, (usually at least ≥ 8 cm in diameter),dark-grey to rusty brown in colour, cap bullate-umbonate in shape,entire in margin, surface wrinkles, smooth, without velar remnantor with few minute whitish evanescent membranous squamules,prominent, cone-like pointed, dark-brown coloured projection atthe centre of the cap. Perforatorium are broadly conical. Stipe, arepresence of annulus with pseudorrhiza originating from termitenest; no sclerotium. Pseudorrhiza are pale, not entirely blackish.The basidiocarps are rare, odour pleasant, taste excellent, edible.Generally found in high altitude (800-1500 m a.s.l.) in late to postmonsoon on termatorium of the vegetation, dominated by memberof the, Combretaceae.


Etymology: The species name relates to the district (Arghakhanchi)of the type locality from where the species was collected.


Description


Sporophores: Usually growing solitary in termite hills,characterized by its obligate symbiont with termites; usually centrallystipitate white but olivaceous near the umbonal region.


Pileus: Size 8-16 cm, (Medium size), dark grey to black in colour,bullate-umbonate, surface wrinkled, smooth, entire margin, papillabrown in colour. Lamellae: Free, dense, crowded, white to pale grey.Stipe: Size, 7 × 2 cm, solid, swollen at base, whitish, surface smooth,annulus thin demarcation and persistent. Pseudorrhiza: Size 7 × 0.5cm long, solid, brown in colour cylindrical, slender, surface glabrous,smooth, and widening at certain depth, then narrowing down tothe point of attachment to the termite nest, its length determinedby the depth of the termite comb. Flesh: Soft, grey, inflated, clampconnection absent, inamyloid. Spore print: light brown. Basidia: 19× 6 μm. Basidiospores: 4.5 × 3.5 μm, ovoid. Cystidia: 30 × 17 μm.Hymenophoral trama: regular (Figure 4).


Table 1: Termitomyces arghakhanchensis sp. nov., a) Basidiocarp on habitat, b) and c) Basidiocarp dorsal and ventral view, d) Spore print, e) Lamellae difference (1div=11.66 μm), and f) Spores (1div=11.66 μm)).


Habitat: On termite nests in subtropical hill forest. Fruitingseason: August-October.


Chemical test with


Phenolphthalein : Sporty Yellow


NH3OH : White


FeSo4 solution : Stipe: outer: Ting of rose, andinner: Pale Rose, Cap: Ting of Rose, Gills: Macrame.


FeSo4 crystal : Stipe: outer: Lavender Dew,and inner: In Vogue, Cap: Lavender Dew, Gills: Magnolia.


Iodine : Dorsal: white, Ventral:Bathstone.


Specimen examined: Growing on termite nest, rare.Arghakhanchi (Thada), 1261m a.s.l., Long. 83.09029° E, lati.27.86208°N, Aspect: 270° W, Slop: 20° W, Temp.: 21.9-26.7° C, Humidity: 75-87%, Soil pH: 6.2, Time: 11:46 am, Date: 19.07.2011, Collected byAryal, H.P., VN-1008227-CDBP. Accession No. NHM TU 2-2-1681,Proposed for new to Science.


Edibility: They are edible and its syrup is used for the remedy ofInappetence, Abdominal disorder, Indigestion.


Key to identification of the species of newly reportedTermitomyces R. Heim


Distribution: Ranging 800-1500 m a.s.l. in Nepal.


1a Fruit-body differentiated with short or long stipe, on soil ormound,......2


1b Fruit-body differentiated into prominent head and tail onmound,......6


2a Lower side of the cap with gills, smooth, dense, free, .....5


2b Lower side of the cap either decurrent or adnexed gilled,.....3


3a Stipe always longitudinally fibrous (when broken), fruit-bodies not so brittle ……………………………………………………… T. aurantiacus


3b Stipe central, slender, hollow, white, fleshy-fibrous, smooth,papilla umbonate,.....4


4a Lamellae (mature) white, cream, pale yellow or very pale pink, free, crowded, dense, olivaceous perforatorium, pileus umbonate, incurved margin, stipe not rooting, not bulbous, without annulus, lamellae sub free, adnexed or deeply decurrent,...... T. badius


4b Lamellae (mature) white and spores dark brown or black; stipe moderately to deeply rooting (pseudorrhizea) or originating from a hypogeous sclerotium with bulbous base, pseudorrhiza originating from termite nest; nosclerotium  ……………………………………………………… T. palpensis sp. Nov. newI


5a Fruit body with pseudorrhizea (up to 5 cm long), & cap 1-4cm diam., papilla conic T. microcarpus f. santalensis


5b Fruit-body small with pseudorrhiza; cap medium, approx 10cm diameter, dark brown, perforatorium, bullate-umbonateannulus present,.... T. akhanchensis sp. Nov. newII


6a Pileus medium, 5-10 cm diameters, brownish orange,concentrically scrobiculate, umbo obtuse T. fuliginosus


6b Pileus expanding to applanato-umbonate, perforatoriumprominent and pointed, spiniform papilla, veil absent, stipesolid, pleurocystidia smooth,.....7


7a Cap brownish or dark brown, 9-25 cm, perforatoriumcylindric, smooth,.....8


7b Cap brownish, tomentose; perforatorium cylindric, dark brown; annulus persitent,.... T. letestui


8a Cap without velar remnants or with few minute whitishevanescent membranous squamules,....9


8b Cap white, with large dark squamules; perforatoriumabsent,.... T. schimperi


9a Cap medium, without papilla and annulus, ochraceousbrown,... T. robustus


9b Cap smaller, globose, perforatorium low, small and poorlydeveloped, stipe usually without annulus, greyish brown ………………………………………………………T. globules


On the basis of macro- and micro-morphometric charactersthese species are closer to the T. aurantiacus, T. microcarpus f.santalensis. T. badius, T. globulus, T. schimperi, T. fuliginosus and T.le-testui but they are distinct to rest of other identified Termitomycesspecies recorded till now (Table 1). Taxonomic description of surveyof literature [7,9-12-26-39] revealed that these species are newlyproposed to the macro fungal flora of the world. Although fordetermining the species, macro and micro-morphological charactersprovides ample information. But it is not sufficient at all, so that it is necessary to ascertaining the molecular level of study for determiningthe more similar species in the systematics.


Table 1: Comparisons of morphological characters of the given taxa.


Acknowledgements


We are indebted to Central Department of Botany, TribhuvanUniversity for providing the laboratory facilities. The researchwas financed by the co-ordination division, office of the Rector,Tribhuvan University, Nepal, through the grant of Ph.D. scholar. Oneof the authors (Mr. Hari Prasad Aryal) acknowledges the Institute ofScience and Technology for granting my study leave. The authors arethankful to Research Solution, Nepal, for kind cooperation.


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