BIODIVERSITY, DISTRIBUTION AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF MACROFUNGI IN CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS AND ADJACENT AREAS

Abstract

A survey was conducted on biodiversity and distribution of macrofungi collected from Chittagong Hill Tracts and adjacent areas of Bangladesh. This Hill Tracts (CHT) the only extensive hilly area in Bangladesh lies in south-eastern part of the country (210 25' N to 230 45' N latitude and 910 54' E to 920 50' E longitude). A total 66 samples of macrofungi were collected and identified to 27 genera under 18 families were recorded during the survey. The predominat species were found under the families of Agaricaceae, Pleutaceae, Ganodermataceae, Marasmiaceae, Polyporaceae, Xylariaceae, Psathyrellaceae and Hymenochaetaceae. Among the collected species, the highest frequency was 44.44% and density of 55.56% for Xylaria polymorpha and Pleurotus sapidus followed by the frequency of 33.33% for Agaricus aungustus, Coprinus disseminatus and Xylaria hypoxylon and then 22.22% and 11.11% for the rest of the species. The lowest frequency was 11.11% and density 2.78% for different species. Macrofungal species in dominant trees were associated with Teak/Segun (Tectona grandis), Gamari (Gmelina arborea), Koroi (Albizzia procera), Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis), Mahogony (Macrophyla mahogoni), Sisso (Dalbergia sisso), Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris), Chapalish tree (Artocarpus chaplasha) and Rain tree (Albizia lebbeck). This is the first report of macro fungi biodiversity and their distribution in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and adjacent areas of Bangladesh.