Biodiversity Studies on Macro Fungi with Special Reference to Order Agaricales: Indian Scenario

Abstract

Studies on taxonomy and biodiversity of macro fungi (Agaricales) are securing more importance as many macrofungi are becoming extinct or facing the threat of extinction. Biodiversiy of macro fungi is important for ecosystem functioning and stability. Among variety of living creatures very less attention has been given to conservation of fumgal biodiversity. They have a high nutritional value, due to good quality proteins. Out of 60,000 species of fungi, described throughout world, 10,000 species are fleshy macro fungi or mushrooms. Current review is an attempt to give a broad picture of the biodiversity of a particular group of fungi, viz. members of order Agaricales in India.