Journal of Threatened Taxa |
www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 September 2020 | 12(13): 16840–16853
ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893
(Print)
doi: https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.4896.12.13.16840-16853
#4896 | Received 15 February 2019 | Final
received 10 July 2020 | Finally accepted 25 August 2020
Contribution to the Macromycetes of West Bengal, India: 69–73
Diptosh Das 1, Prakash
Pradhan 2, Debal Ray 3, Anirban Roy 4 & Krishnendu
Acharya 5
1,2,5 Molecular
and Applied Mycology and Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Botany,
University of Calcutta, Kolkata,
West Bengal 700019, India.
2,4 West
Bengal Biodiversity Board, Prani Sampad
Bhawan, 5th Floor, LB-2, Sector-III, Salt Lake City, Kolkata, West
Bengal 700106, India.
3 West Bengal
Forest and Biodiversity Conservation Society, LB-2, Sector-III, Salt Lake City,
Kolkata, West Bengal 700106, India.
1 diptoshmycology@gmail.com,
2 shresthambj@gmail.com, 3 raydebal@gmail.com, 4 dr.anirbanroy@yahoo.co.in,
5 krish_paper@yahoo.com
(corresponding author)
Editor: R.K. Verma, Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur, India. Date of
publication: 26 September 2020 (online & print)
Citation: Das,
D., P. Pradhan, D. Ray, A. Roy & K. Acharya (2020). Contribution
to the Macromycetes of West Bengal, India: 69–73. Journal of
Threatened Taxa 12(13): 16840–16853. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.4896.12.13.16840-16853
Copyright: © Das et al 2020. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
License. JoTT
allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and distribution of this article in any
medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of
publication.
Funding: West Bengal Biodiversity Board, Department of Environment, Government
of West Bengal.
Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
Author details: Diptosh Das, research scholar, interested in macro-fungal
taxonomy; Prakash Pradhan,
Research Assistant, West Bengal Biodiversity Board, interested in macro-fungal
diversity and ecology; Debal Ray, Chief Project Director at West
Bengal Forest and Biodiversity Conservation Project, interested in biodiversity
conservation; Anirban Roy, Research Officer, interested in
floristics, community & restoration ecology; Krishnendu Acharya, Professor of Botany, interested in Macro-fungal
diversity and Medicinal prospects.
Author contribution: Specimens collected by DD, PP, AR and KA. Field
Photographs by Entaj Tarafder
and AR. Microscopic photographs by DD. Macro and microscopic characteristics
described by DD and PP. Data compiled and analysed by
KA, AR and DR.
Acknowledgements: Authors are indebted to the Department of Environment,
Government of West Bengal for financial assistance, West Bengal Biodiversity
Board, and Department of Botany, University of Calcutta for providing necessary
administrative and laboratory facilities.
Directorate of forest, Government of West Bengal is duly acknowledged
for extending guidance and facilities during the field visits.
Abstract:
The varied topography, soil and climate of West Bengal makes conducive
conditions of macrofungal habitats nurturing magnificent diversity. During exploration of macro-fungal diversity
in Terai Duars region of
the state during 2017–18, basidiocarps of different kinds of the genus Lentinus (Polyporaceae)
were collected, photographed along with macro-morphological and ecological
notes. The specimens were identified
through macro and micro-morphological characters following standard
literature. Five species of the genus Lentinus (L. araucariae,
L. fasciatus, L. polychrous, L. sajor-caju,
and L. squarrosulus) were identified
which are presented in this paper along with amplified description, necessary
figures and photographs. Literature
survey revealed that out of five identified species, L. araucariae and L. fasciatus
represent new distributional record for India.
The outcome of the present study would enrich data related to the
macro-fungal diversity from the state of West Bengal.
Keywords: Basidiomycota, Lentinus,
Polyporaceae, polypore fungi, species, taxonomy.
Introduction
West Bengal being a state with varied climate and
topography includes Himalayan temperate-sub-temperate region, foothills having
moist-deciduous forests, vast gangetic plains,
lateritic plateau and coastal plains which create diversified habitats for
mosaic of life-forms, including macro-fungi (Pradhan et al. 2012, 2013, 2016;
Dutta et al. 2013).
Among the polypore fungi, the genus Lentinus Fr. has subtropical distribution as lignicolous fungi and is represented globally by 40 species
(Kirk et al. 2008), out of which 20 species are encountered in India (Sharma
& Atri 2015).
From the evolutionary stand point Lentinus
Fr. is an interesting taxon for its transitional nature between poroid and gilled fungi by gradual reduction of tubulate to
lamellate hymenophore. Moreover, Lentinus Fr. represents agaricoid
development with a lineage of polyporoid ancestry
(Pegler 1983a; Hibbet & Vilgalys
1991). During the exploration of
macro-fungal diversity of West Bengal, India, a good number of specimens were
collected of which five species of Lentinus
Fr. had been identified, two of which are new records for India (L. fasciatus and L. araucariae),
and are represented in the present paper and it is in continuation of the
series of publications on macro-fungal diversity of West Bengal (Bera et al. 2018; Saha et al.
2018).
Macro-fungal specimens were collected from June 2017
to October 2018 from Terai region of West Bengal,
India. During fieldwork digital
photographs of the samples were taken in their habitat and their
macro-morphological and habitat features were noted.
During the tenure of work, by using standard
identifying protocol, colour photographs and macro-morphological features of
each specimen were taken in the field. Each collection was then wrapped with
tissue paper and kept in separate boxes to avoid contamination/ spore
mixing. Finally, the collected specimens
were carefully withered (separately) in a hot air drier until the moisture was
minimal.
Microscopic features were observed with Carl Zeiss
AX10 Imager A1 phase contrast microscope from thin handmade sections of the
dried basidiocarps by staining with Congo Red and Melzer’s reagent. Microscopic figures were photographed with
microscope-mounted digital camera.
Thirty measurements of basidiospores were taken from each sample for
calculating dimensions of basidiospore.
Length/breadth ratio denotes the Q value. Mean Q value (QM) was measured by
dividing sum of Q value by total number of spores observed.
Specimens were properly identified using standard keys
and published literature (Singer 1962; Pegler 1983a; Manimohan
et al. 2004; Senthilarasu 2015). Kornerup & Wanscher (1978) was
followed for colour terminology. The voucher specimens were preserved
following Pradhan et al. (2015) and were deposited in the Calcutta University
Herbarium (CUH), Kolkata, India.
1. Lentinus araucariae Har. & Pat.
Journal de Botanique (Morot) 17: 11 (1903)
(Image 1–2).
Basidiocarps pileate, lamellate and stipitate Pileus
34–89 mm in diam., white (1A1) to yellowish-white (1A2), deeply indented to
infundibuliform, surface velutinate, with uplifted
white (1A1) squamules, margin sulcate striate to rimose, white to yellowish-white (3A1 to 3A2) when young
becoming pale yellow (3A3) on drying, concolorous. Context up to 3mm thick, yellowish-white
(3A2). Lamellae decurrent with two–three
tiers of lamellulae, lamellae width up to 3mm, margin serrate, moderately
crowded, furcate with at least two dichotomies, light yellow (4A4) when young
becoming (4B4) on drying, concolorous.
Stipe 15−22 × 3−7 mm, slight eccentric, surface appressed white (1A1)
squamulose, solid, fibrous, insitituous base,
yellowish–white to pale yellow (3A2 to 3A3) when young turning light yellow
(4A4) on drying.
Basdiospores (5.1)−5.7−6.7−7.4−(8.1) × (2.7)−3−3.2−3.4−(3.7) µm, QM=2,
cylindric, hilar appendix bilaterally symmetric, thin walled. Basidia 20.4−27.8 × 5.8−6.8 µm, cylindrico-clavate, basally clamped, two to four spored, sterigma 2−3.7 µm in length, thin walled. Basidioles 21−30.2
× 5.8−7.1 µm, cylindrico-clavate, thin walled. Pileocystidia none.
Cheilocystidia none. Hyphal system
dimitic with skeleto-ligative hyphae. Generative hyphae 3−6.4 µm wide, clamped,
clamp 2.7−3.7 µm wide, thin- to thick-walled, branched, interlocking
projections present, content hyaline in 10% KOH. Skeleto-ligative
hyphae 7.4−11.9 µm wide, with tapered branches, content not too narrow, thick
walled, pale yellowish in 10% KOH.
Hyphal pegs 40.8−57.8 µm wide, abundant, composed of 30 to 40 generative
hyphae with rounded apical portion.
Hymenophoral trama irregular, interwoven. Pileipellis trichodermal palisade, elements 8.5−13.6 µm wide.
Habit and habitat: Basidiocarps lignicolous,
saprotrophic, growing gregarious, and caespitosely
upon fallen and decaying Shorea robusta Roth.
Specimen examined: CUH AM667, 04.x.2018, 26.5873N
& 89.5327E, elevation 62m, Panijhora bit, Dooars, Alipurduar District, West
Bengal, India, coll. K. Acharya & A. Roy.
Remarks: Presence of rigid, coriaceous basidiocarps
with dichotomously furcated lamellae, pale yellowish pileus ranging from 34 to
89 mm, abundant hyphal pegs, devoid of cheilocystidia; central to excentric stipe; dimitic hyphal system with skeleton-ligative hyphae and 3−6.4 µm wide generative hyphae, and
spore size of 5.1−5.7−6.7−7.4−8.1 × 2.7−3.2−3.7 µm places the studied specimen
under Lentinus araucariae
(section Dicholamellatae of subgenus Lentinus).
The studied specimen matches with the previously reported Australian
specimen (Pegler 1983b) in terms of spore size [5.1−5.7−6.7−7.4−8.1 × 2.7−3.2−3.7
µm, vs 5−7 × 3−3.5 µm; Q= 2 vs 1.87], width of generative hyphae [3.4−6.4 µm vs
2−5 µm] and width of skeleto-ligative hyphae
[7.4−11.9 µm vs 2−12.5 µm], making it a new record for India. Morphologically, Lentinus
badius (Berk.) Berk. is also closely related to
the present taxon. Presence of
sub-distant to moderately close lamellae, pale yellowish basidiocarp, trichodermal palisade pileipellis
in L. araucariae distinguishes it from L.
badius.
Lentinus araucariae
differs from L. dicholamellatus Manim. by its spore size [5.4−6.1−6.9−8.1−8.5 × 2.7−3−3.4 µm
vs 6-10 × 3-5], and absence of pseudo sclerotium.
2. Lentinus fasciatus Berk.
London Journal of Botany 2: 146 (1840)
(Image 3–4).
Basidiocarps pileate, lamellate and stipitate. Pileus 20–74 mm in diam., umbilicate to infundibuliform,
surface white (1A1) to orange brown (5B2) to pale yellow (2A3), tomentose with numerous whitish (1A1) erect hairs, 1–3 mm
long, becoming longer towards pileal margin,
greyish-orange (6B4), appressed squamules present
towards centre, Lamellae 2–4 mm wide, deeply
decurrent with lamellulae of 1−3 tier, lamellae margin entire, smooth, distant
to close, sometimes lamellae bifurcated in the region just above the stipe,
yellowish grey (4B2). Stipe 10−55 mm ×
2.5−7 mm, short and stocky, central, cylindric, solid, tomentose,
amount of hairs more in the base, without pseudo sclerotium, concolorous with
the pileus. Context up to 2.5mm thick at
the centre or disc, soft, yellowish-white (4A2).
Basidiospores (6)6.4−6.9−7.8−(8.2) × (2.1−)2.8−3.3−3.9(−4.2)
μm [n=30; XM=6.9±0.49 × 3.3±0.41 μm, QM=2.07±0.24], ellipso-cylindric,
hilar appendix bilaterally symmetric, thin walled, hyaline with few
contents. Basidia (21.8−28.6) ×
(4.2−7.1) μm, cylidrico-clavate,
basally clamped, 2 to 4-spored; sterigma 2–4, 2.5−3.9 μm
in length, cylindric. Basidioles (20−26) × (3.5−6) μm,
clavate, basally clamped. Sclerocystidia abundant in
both pleuro and cheilo
position, 26−34 × 3.5−6.9 μm clavate, thick-walled,
arise from hymenial base. Hyphal system dimitic with skeletal hyphae
2.1−4.2 μm wide, thick-walled with narrow lumen,
unbranched; generative hyphae 2.1−3.5 μm wide, thin
walled, hyaline, frequently branched, clamp-connexions
present. Sterile lamellar edge
consisting of numerous crowded sclerocystidia,
clavate. Hymenophoral trama irregular. Pileipellis an epicutis of thin and thick-walled generative hyphae with
prominent clamp connections, 3.6−5.8 μm wide,
unbranched, producing loose, erect fascicles. Stipitipellis
consists of thick-walled generative hyphae, up to 7μm wide, forming erect tomentose, content hyaline in 10% KOH.
Habit and habitat: Basidiocarps lignicolous
and saprotrophic, growing caespitosely upon fallen
and decaying trunk of Schima wallichii (DC.) Korth.
Specimen examined: CUH AM626, 19.ix.2017, 26.82N &
88.63E, elevation 137m, Targhera, Jalpaiguri
District, West Bengal, India, coll. K. Acharya & A. Roy.
Remarks: Presence of rigid, coriaceous basidiocarps
with hispid strigose pileus with short erect hairs, moderately crowded
lamellae, presence of abundant sclerocystidia;
central to excentric stipe; dimitic hyphal system
with skeletal hyphae and 2.1−3.5 µm wide generative hyphae, and spore size of
(6−)6.4−6.9−7.8−(8.2) × (2.1−)2.8−3.3−3.9(−4.2) µm places the studied specimen under
Lentinus fasciatus
(section Velutini of subgenus Panus). The present taxon was limited to Australia in
its distribution (Pegler 1983a), is reported, hereby, from India for the first
time. Current specimen shows maximum
similarity with the description of L. fasciatus
studied by Pegler (1983a) by forming a strongly hispid pileal and stipe surface, presence of abundant sclerocystidia rather than metuloids, well developed
centrally placed stipe, spore size [(6−)6.4−6.9−7.8−(8.2) × (2.1−)2.8−3.3−3.9(−4.2)
μm vs. 6.5−8.5 × 3−4] and QM value
[2.07±0.24 vs. 2.20]. This taxon might
be confused with widespread L. strigosus
Fr. but presence of sclerocystidia rather than
metuloids and cylindric basidiospores strongly differs the L. strigosus Fr. from the present taxon. It differs from L. velutinus
Fr. by lack of pseudosclerotium. This species differs from L. hookerianus Berk. by its spore size [(6−)6.4−6.9−7.8−(8.2)
× (2.1−)2.8−3.3−3.9(−4.2) μm vs. 5−6.5 × 2.7−3.5 μm] and QM value [2.07±0.24 vs 1.87].
3. Lentinus polychrous Lév.
Annales des Sciences Naturelles
Botanique 2: 175 (1844)
(Image 5–6).
Basidiocarps pileate, lamellate, stipitate. Pileus 70–150 mm in diam.,
sub-infundibuliform, texture tough leathery flexible when young become rigid on
drying, surface orange grey to greyish-orange (5B2−5B3) when young turn into
yellowish-grey (2D2) on drying, covered with chestnut brown (6F7) coloured uplifted squamules,
concolorous, margin entire. Context up to 6mm thick, white (1A1). Lamellae deeply decurrent with 1−3 tiers of
lamellulae, width up to 5mm, spacing less than 1mm, crowded, tough and thick,
honey yellow to golden brown (5D6 to 5D7) when young becoming brown to dark
brown (7F4 to 7F5) on drying. Stipe
10−25 × 4−12 mm, slightly eccentric to central, solid, rigid, covered with
minute appressed squamules, base tapered, white (1A1)
at apex and slightly darker towards base.
Basidiospores (6.1−)6.4−8.1−9.5(−10.2) × 3−3.4−3.4−3.7−4
µm, QM=2.3 (n=30), cylindric, hilar appendix bilaterally symmetric
or asymmetric, thin-walled, hyaline, negative in Melzer’s reagent. Basidia 20−25.5 × 5.7−7.1 µm, cylindrico-clavate, basal clamp not found, hyaline in 10%
KOH, 4-spored; sterigma four, 2−3.4 µm high.
Basidioles 17−27.2 × 4.7−7.1 µm, cylindrico-clavate, basal clamp not found. Pleurocystidia none. Cheilocystidia none. Hyphal system dimitic with skeleto-ligative hyphae.
Generative hyphae 2.7−6.8 µm wide, thin to thick-walled, branched,
clamped, clamp connection 2.3−3.4 µm wide, hyaline in 10% KOH. Skeleto-ligative
hyphae 3.4−8.5 µm wide, thick-walled, narrow lumen, highly branched, tapered
apex, pale yellow in 10% KOH. Hyphal
pegs 34−45.2 µm wide, consists of 25−35 generative hyphae. Lamellae trama
interwoven irregular. Subhymenial layer too narrow to observe. Squamules of pileus
formed by agglutinated thick-walled generative hyphae. Pileipellis a trichodermal palisade.
Habit and habitat: Basidiocarps lignicolous
and saprotrophic, growing solitary to slightly gregarious upon fallen and
decaying logs of Shorea robusta
Roth.
Specimen examined: CUH AM668, 30.vii.2018, 26.8746N
& 88.8551E, elevation 176m, near Chapramari
forest, Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal, India,
coll. K. Acharya & A. Roy.
Remarks: Presence of rigid, coriaceous basidiocarps
with brown coloured uplifted pileal
squamules, amber coloured
thick rigid hymenophore, irregular lamellae trama,
central to excentric dark coloured
tapered base; complicated dimitic hyphal system with skeleto-ligative hyphae and 2.7−6.8 µm wide generative hyphae,
hyphal pegs and spore size of (6.1−)6.4−8.1−9.5(−10.2) × 3−3.4−3.4−3.7−4 µm
places the studied specimen under Lentinus polychrous (section Rigidi of subgenus Lentinus).
The present taxon is one of the most widely distributed species in India
and it has been reported several times from several localities including Bihar,
West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala (Pegler 1983a; Sharma & Atri 2015). The
present specimen matches nicely with the description illustrated by Pegler
(1983a) in spore size [(6.1−)6.4−8.1−9.5(−10) × (3−)3.4−3.4−3.7(−4) µm vs. 6−9
× 2.7−3.3 µm], width of generative hyphae [2.7−6.8 µm vs. 1.4−4.5 µm], length
of basidia [20−25.5 × 5.7−7.1 µm vs. 20−27 × 5−6 µm] and with the description
of Corner (1981) in spore size [(6.1−)6.4−8.1−9.5(−10.2) × (3−)3.4−3.4−3.7(−4)
µm vs. 6−9.5 × 3−3.7 µm], width of generative hyphae [2.7−6.8 µm vs. 2−5 µm]
and length of basidia [20−25.5 × 5.7−7.1 µm vs. 15−35 × 5−6 µm]. The present taxon is distinguished from
closely resembling L. squarrosulus Mont. by having fine tomentum, short stipe,
fuliginous to umbrinous amber coloured
lamellae, (6.1−)6.4−8.1−9.5(−10.2) × (3−)3.4−3.4−3.7(−4) µm sized basidiospores
instead of appressed soft squamules, deeply decurrent
white lamellae, 5.5−7.5 × 1.7−2.5 µm sized basidiospores in L. squarrosulus.
4. Lentinus sajor-caju (Fr.) Fr.
Epicrisis Systematis Mycologici: 393 (1838)
(Image 7–8).
Basidiocarps pileate, lamellate, stipitate. Pileus 25−75 mm in diam., convex to broadly
convex when young, becoming infundibuliform at maturity, disc dark brown (6F7),
margin golden brown (5D7) to brown (6E7), turning brown (6E5) to dark brown
(6F5) on drying, margin incurved, entire to undulating. Context up to 3mm thick, off white. Lamellae ca. 1mm broad, deeply decurrent,
densely crowded without lamellulae, narrow, white (1A1) to pale orange (5A3) or
light orange (5A4), concolorous. Stipe
15−25 × 10−15 mm, central to slightly eccentric, fleshy-fibrous, white (1A1) to
pastel grey (1C1) turning yellowish-grey (3B2) on bruising. Annulus single, white (1A1), inferior,
removable.
Basidiospores (4.2−)5.3−6.9−7.5(−9.6) × (2.1−)4.6−2.6−2.8(−3.5)
µm, XM= 6.9±1.11 × 2.6±0.33; Q= 1.4−3.4, QM = 2.6 (n =
30), narrow cylindric, hyaline with KOH, inamyloid. Basidia 14−23.5 × 3.5−4.5
µm, cylidrico−clavate, 2- to 4-spored; sterigmata
2–4, 0.7−1.4 µm high, cylindrical, basally clamped. Basidioles
10.5−24 × 3.5−4.5 µm, cylindrico-clavate, basally
clamped. Pleurocystidia absent. Cheilocystidia 22.8−25.5 × 3.7−6.8 µm, narrow
cylindrico-clavate, basally clamped. Lamellae trama
interwoven, hyphae 3−7 µm wide, cylindrical, hyaline, thin to
thick-walled. Hyphal system dimitic;
generative hyphae of the context 3.5−7.5 µm wide, clamp connections prominent,
0.7−2.8 µm wide, thin walled, content hyaline, sometimes branched; skeleto-ligative hyphae 3.9−7.8 µm wide, thick walled, well
branched, tapered towards the apex.
Annulus hyphae 3.2−4.6 µm broad, hyaline, thin-walled, clamp-connections
present. Hyphal pegs abundant, 47.6−91.8
µm wide. Pileipellis
made up with repent generative hyphae.
Habit and habitat: Basidiocarps lignicolous
and saprotrophic, growing solitary to gregariously in an imbricate fashion on a
fallen and decaying log of Shorea robusta Roth. Hymenophoral surface of this species also
provided shelter and food to members of the insect order Coleoptera
L.
Specimen examined: CUH AM623, 16.vii.2017, 26.32N
& 89.32E, elevation 115m, Damanpur, Alipurduar District, West Bengal, India, coll. K. Acharya
& A. Roy.
Remarks: Presence of tough, coriaceous, central to
eccentrically stipitate basidiocarps with deeply infundibuliform pileus, stipe
short with distinct annulus, dimitic hyphae with skeleto-ligative
hyphae and 3.5−7.5 µm wide generative hyphae, presence of hyphal pegs and spore
size of (4.2−)5.3−6.9−7.5(−9.6) × (2.1−)4.6−2.6−2.8(−3.5) µm places the studied
specimen under Lentinus sajor-caju
(section Rigidi of subgenus Lentinus). From India this species has been reported
from West Bengal, Kerala, Andaman Island (Pegler 1983a; Sharma & Atri 2015). The
currently studied specimen matches with the description of specimen studied by
Pegler (1983a). L. sajor-caju differs from its
closely related species L. umbrinus
Reichardt by having pure white pileus, a distinct annulus, densely crowded
lamellae and cylindric basidiospores [(4.2−)5.3−6.9−7.5 (−9.6) × (2.1−) 4.6−2.6−2.8(−3.5)
µm vs. 5−8.5 × 2.3-3.5].
5. Lentinus squarrosulus Mont.
Annales des Sciences Naturelles
Botanique sér. 2, 18: 21
(1842)
(Image 9–10).
Basidiocarps pileate, lamellate, stipitate. Pileus 40−68 mm in diam., fleshy, covered
with soot brown (5F5) appressed squamules forming a
circular lining on the grey (14C1) coloured pileus, margin lacerate to
undulated, slightly inrolled. Context up to 3mm thick, grey (14C1) in
colour. Lamellae up to 4mm in width,
strongly decurrent with 1−3 tires of lamellulae, moderately crowded to crowded,
light orange (5A4) in colour, gill edge denticulate. Stipe 15−25 × 6−15 mm in size, eccentrically
placed, covered with grey (11C1) coloured squamules,
base slightly bulbous, solid. Odor pleasant mushroomy.
Basidiospores (4.2−)5.3−6.19−6.8(−7.16) × (2.1−)2.5−2.63−2.8(−3.5)
µm, XM= 6.19±0.71 × 2.63±0.36, Q-Value= 1.33−2.85, QM=
2.37±0.33, n = 30 spores, narrow cylindric, hilar appendix asymmetric,
thin-walled, hyaline, negative in Iodine test.
Basidia 14.32−24.34 × 3.9−4.6 µm, 2−4 sterigmate,
cylindrico-clavate; sterigmata 0.3–0.7 µm in
length. Basidioles
17.5−21.4 × 5.01−7.1 µm, cylindrico-clavate, basal
clamp present. Cheilocystidia 11.8−21.4 × 6.4−7.8 µm, narrow clavate with
emergent skeletal hyphae, content hyaline with no oil guttule. Pleurocystidia none. Lamellar edge sterile. Hyphal peg abundant, 32.2−64.4 µm wide,
consisting of 25−30 generative hyphae, extruded from the lamellae trama. Hyphal system
dimitic. Generative hyphae of context
3.5−5.3 µm in width, clamped, thin walled, branched, content hyaline. Skeleto-ligative
hyphae of context 5.7−10.74 µm in width, become tapered towards apex, highly
branched, thick-walled, wall 1−2 µm thick.
Generative hyphae of stipe 3.5−7.1 µm in width, clamped, thin to
thick-walled, content hyaline. Skeletal hyphae
of stipe 6.8−11 µm in width, thick walled, wall 1.2−2 µm thick. Hymenophoral trama
irregular interwoven, devoid of sub−hymenium layer. Pileipellis
consists of inflated generative hyphae. Squamules of pileus emerging from the disrupt epicutis.
Habit and habitat: Basidiocarps lignicolous
and saprotrophic, grows in troops or clusters of 1−4 caespitose basidiocarps
upon fallen and decaying logs of Shorea robusta Roth.
Specimen examined: CUH AM622, 15.vii.2017, 26.64N
& 89.54E, elevation 116m, near Buxa forest, Alipurduar District, West Bengal, India, coll. K. Acharya
& A. Roy.
Remarks: Presence of tough, coriaceous, excentrically stipitate basidiocarps with soot brown
coloured appressed squamules which forms a ring-like
pattern on pileus surface; dimitic hyphae with skeleto-ligative
hyphae and 3.5−5.3 µm wide generative hyphae, presence of hyphal pegs and spore
size of (4.2−)5.3−6.19−6.8(−7.16) × (2.1−)2.5−2.63−2.8(−3.5) µm places the
studied specimen under Lentinus squarrosulus (section Rigidi of subgenus Lentinus).
Spore dimensions of the collected specimen is similar
with the previously reported taxon from Kerala (Manimohan
et al. 2004) [(4.2−)5.3−6.19−6.8(−7.16) × (2.1−)2.5−2.63−2.8(−3.5) µm vs 5-7.5
× 1.75-3 μm], but the length of the spore of the
material studied by Pegler (1983a) slightly larger [(4.2−)5.3−6.19−6.8(−7.16) ×
(2.1−)2.5−2.63−2.8(−3.5) µm vs 5.5-9 × 1.8-2.7 µm]. The present taxon is one of the most widely
distributed species in India and it was reported previously from Chennai,
Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal (Manimohan et al.
2004; Sharma & Atri 2015). Among other members of the section Rigidi,
the studied specimen differs from L. cladopus
in having absence of branched stipe, L. sajor-caju
and L. umbrinus in the
absence of annulus or annular ridge, L. polychrous
in the absence of complex hyphal system tending towards trimitic amber coloured
tough hymenophore.
A provisional key to the species
of Lentinus reported in the study
1. Lamellae
bifurcation absent ………………………………………………………..……………..……………..……………..…….……………..……….……………………
2
1a. Lamellae bifurcation prominent. Cheilocystidia absent.
Basidiospores 5.1−8.1 × 2.7−3.7 μm
………...………..……..………… L. araucariae
2. Hyphal pegs present. Cystidia occasionally found. Pileus surface
appressed or uplifted squamules or glabrescent
……………………….. 3
2a. Hyphal pegs absent. Sclerocystidia
abundant. Pileus covered with erect hairs. Basidiospores 6−8.2 × 2.1−4.2 μm ………... L. fasciatus
3. Basidiocarps soft flexible, infragile. Hymenphore some shade of white or paler. Hyphal system
dimitic with skeleto-ligative hyphae .....……..……………..……………..……………..……………..……………..……………..……………..……………..……………..……………..……………..………...........
4
3a. Basidiocarps comparatively rigid. Hymenophore honey-coloured when young, becoming dark brownish during
maturity. Hyphal
system
dimitic complex. Cheilocystidia absent. Basidiospores 6.1−10.2 × 3−4 μm …………………………………………....…..… L. polychrous
4. Annulus absent. Soot brown squamules
forming a circular lining on the pileus surface. Imbricate caespitose
in habit. Basidiospores
4.2−7.2
× −2.1−3.5 μm
…………..……………..……………..……………..……………..……………..……………..……………..……………..…..... L. squarrosulus
4a. Annulus
present on the stipe. Pileus surface glabrescent.
Solitary to gregarious in habit. 4.2−9.6 × 2.1−3.5 μm
.…...…… L. sajor-caju
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