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Papers by munruchi kaur

Background The genus Russula is considered one of the most abundant and widely distributed ectomy... more Background The genus Russula is considered one of the most abundant and widely distributed ectomycorrhizal agaric genera and the Indian subcontinent is no exception to it. The members of this family are cosmopolitan and form an ectomycorrhizal association with a wide range of angiosperm and gymnosperm trees. Methods and Results Four new records of genus Russula viz., Russula pauriensis var. caulocystidii var. nov., Russula globispora, Russula cuprea and Russula laeta were collected from Narkanda, Himachal Pardesh, India. These were described and illustrated on the basis of morpho-anatomical characters as well as phylogentic analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) ribosomal DNA sequences. On the basis of gross taxonomic characterization Russula pauriensis var. caulocystidii var. nov. is proposed which is further confirmed through molecular taxonomy. Russula laeta, Russula globispora, Russula cuprea and Russula laeta is reported for the first time from India while Russula amethy...

Open Access Journal of Agricultural Research

The present study includes the comparative study of characteristic field ectomycorrhizae between ... more The present study includes the comparative study of characteristic field ectomycorrhizae between Tricholoma aurantium associated with Cedrus deodara and Tricholoma pardinum with Pinus wallichiana. The carpophores and their ectomycorrhizal morphotypes were collected under their respective host plants. These species were taxonomically identified as Tricholoma aurantium and Tricholoma pardinum. These species are unique in their characters such as Tricholoma aurantium is characterized by growing carpophore in ectomycorrhizal association with Cedrus deodara. Its pileus is yellow orange (4A8) with non-striate, involute margin. The lamellae changes from white to rusty brown, the stipe consists fluid like substance at surface with mycelium. The cystidial elements are frequently present in infected roots while rhizomorphs are not found. Tricholoma pardinum is characterized by tiger spotted scales covering the entire pileus, with unchanging flesh, interveined notched lamellae. It has been fou...

Mycosphere, 2015

Two species belonging to genus Gymnopilus P. Karst i.e. G. pampeanus (Speg.) Singer and G. russip... more Two species belonging to genus Gymnopilus P. Karst i.e. G. pampeanus (Speg.) Singer and G. russipes Pegler have been taxonomically described and illustrated for the first time from India and one species G. spectabilis (Weinm.) A.H. Sm. has been first time recorded from North India.

Journal of Mycology and Plant Pathology, 2012

Developments in Fungal Biology and Applied Mycology

Ever since the work on mushroom systematics started, it remained centred around conventional morp... more Ever since the work on mushroom systematics started, it remained centred around conventional morphology-based parameters. Over a period of time with the advancement of microscopic techniques, the use of internal anatomical details and other microscopic features including SEM details strengthened the taxonomic conclusions leading to the discovery of newer characters for supplementing the morphological features. Simultaneously, the importance of macrochemical and microchemical reactions in mushroom systematics has been emphasized along with the utility of chemotaxonomic and numerical taxonomic methods, although all such characters play a supplementary role in their taxonomic categorization. All such studies enabled the mushroom mycologists to reach right taxonomic conclusions. Towards the end of 1990s, there has been a rapid transformation from conventional morphology-based system to contemporary molecular phylogenetic system based on sequence analysis employing next-generation sequencing technology. Presently, the scientists are trying to understand the higher level of relationship among lamellate mushrooms and their non-lamellate relatives by sequencing gene coding for several specific non-coding ribosomal DNA regions such as ITS, nLSU, nSSU, mitochondrial non-coding gene like mtSSU and protein coding genes such as rpb1, rpb2, atp6, tef1. Of late the use of newer techniques to study mushroom taxonomy and to understand their phylogeny has started slowly picking up in India as well, which is a welcome step. Mushrooms exhibit immense variation of shape, texture, colour, smell, taste and have varied ecological preferences. In the present paper, the importance of morphological, anatomical, chemical, numerical and molecular aspects in the characterization of mushrooms on modern lines has been discussed.

Morphology of basidiospore surface in Basidiomycetes is used as an important taxonomic character.... more Morphology of basidiospore surface in Basidiomycetes is used as an important taxonomic character. Different types of ornamentations exist in basidiospores of Russulaceous mushrooms. Every species has its unique ornamentation and is used as key character to separate some closely aligned taxa in genus Lactarius, Lactifluus and Russula. To study the spore surface diversity Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) studies were conducted where basidiospores were mounted on a double sided adhesive tape pasted on a metallic specimen-stub and after gold plating, the material was scanned at different magnification in high vacuum mode to observe pattern of spore ornamentation. SEM studies were carried out with JSM6610LV GEOL scanning electron microscope in 51 taxa of russulaceous mushrooms collected from North-West Himalaya spread over three investigated genera (Lactarius, Lactifluus and Russula). On the basis of SEM studies spores with eight varied ornamentation type on their surface were document...

The present paper is an attempt to review and provide systematic information about the ecology, d... more The present paper is an attempt to review and provide systematic information about the ecology, diversity, distribution and human relevance of wild coprophilous mushrooms the world over. The information provided herein is derived from a study carried out in the state of Punjab in India and records contained in more than 125 authentic monographic publications and research articles throughout the world. During the survey from the years 2007 to 2011in Punjab state, a total number of 172 collections have been observed, growing as saprobes on dung of various domesticated and wild herbivorous animals in pastures, open areas, zoological parks, and on dung heaps along roadsides or along village ponds, etc. High coprophilous mushrooms' diversity has been established and a number of rare and sensitive species were recorded during the study. Also while analysing the relevant references related to coprophilous mushrooms and their ecological places it was noted that dung is an important subs...

A number of agarics were picked from the wild during the monsoon season from various localities o... more A number of agarics were picked from the wild during the monsoon season from various localities of Punjab. In the present paper two very interesting rough spored taxa belonging to Family Tricholomataceae Vilgalys, Moncalvo & Redhead are described. Of these Leucopaxillus brasiliensis (Rick) Singer & A.H. Sm . was found growing in fairy rings, while the carpophores of Leucopaxillus albissimus (Peck) Singer were scattered. All the two taxa are described taxonomically along with their field photographs and constitute first time reports from India.

India under PUN. Fungal forays were undertaken for the collection of species of genus Agaricus L.... more India under PUN. Fungal forays were undertaken for the collection of species of genus Agaricus L.: Fr. to various localities of Northwest India TAXANOMY falling in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir. The topography and Key to the identification of the 11 species of Agaricus namely climate of the investigated region favours good growth of A. porphyrocephallus F.H.Møller, A. subrutilescens mushrooms in general and Agaricus in particular during (Kauffman) Hotson & Stuntz, A. parvitigrinus Guinb. & monsoon season in these areas. The genus Agaricus is a fleshy Callac, A. silvaticus var. pallidus (F.H. Møller) F.H. Møller, A. lamellate agaricoid mushroom which belongs to family mealgaris var. obscuratus (Maire) Heinem, A. Agaricaceae under order Agaricales. Recent review on this rubribrunnescens Murrill,W.A, A. andrewii Freeman A.E.H, genus has documented more than 400 species world over A. blazei Murrill W.A, A. fuscovelatus Kerrigan R.W, A.

This paper gives an account of two Agrocybe species, viz. A. microspora and A. pediades collected... more This paper gives an account of two Agrocybe species, viz. A. microspora and A. pediades collected from coprophilous habitats of Punjab state. The taxonomic details of these taxa is given along with the drawings of their morphological and anatomical features. Agrocybe microspora forms a new record for India and A. pediades is being recorded for the first time from Punjab.

Amanita altusdenticulata sp. nov. and A. kedarnathensis sp. nov. are described as new to science ... more Amanita altusdenticulata sp. nov. and A. kedarnathensis sp. nov. are described as new to science from India. These two species fall under section Caesareae as they possess sulcate-striate pileus, a stipe with membranous annulus, a thick saccate volva and inamyloid basidiospores.

Two new coprophilous species of Panaeolus , namely P. cyanoannulatus and P. lepus–stercus , of fa... more Two new coprophilous species of Panaeolus , namely P. cyanoannulatus and P. lepus–stercus , of family Psathyrellaceae are described from Punjab, India. Panaeolus cyanoannulatus was collected on a mixed cow and horse dung heap from Hoshiarpur district and P. lepus–stercus was located growing scattered on rabbit pellets from Pathankot district of Punjab state in India. Panaeolus cyanoannulatus is a blue staining mushroom with annulate stipe while P. lepus–stercus is characterized by yellowish gray umbonate pileus, 2– and 4–spored basidia, limoniform hexagonal basidiospores, polymorphic chrysocystidia and absence of pileocystidia and clamp connections. In this paper, these two taxa are described, illustrated, and compared with similar species.

Eight new species presented are Calostoma areolatum collected in Wuyishan National Park (China), ... more Eight new species presented are Calostoma areolatum collected in Wuyishan National Park (China), Crinipellis bidens from Hubei Province (China), Lactifluus sainii from Himalayan India, Inocybe elata from Yunnan (China), Inocybe himalayensis from Pakistan. Specimens previously identified as Massalongia carnosa represent a new species, namely M. patagonica restricted to southern South America. Saprolegnia maragheica is a new oomycete species of fresh water in Maraghe (Iran). Uncispora wuzhishanensis is a new aquatic hyphomycete species. A type specimen of Raddetes turkestanicus was studied and based on this the new combination Conocybe turkestanica, is proposed. Argyranthemum frutescens is a new host for Alternaria alternata and Syzygium cumini for Phyllosticta capitalensis in India. Crepidotus ehrendorferi is confirmed for Hungary and Pluteus leucoborealis for Central Europe, and for the phytogeographical region of Carpaticum. Pseudopithomyces palmicola is shown to occur on grapevine...

Biodiversitas, Journal of Biological Diversity, 2016

Singh Y, Kaur M. 2016. Four newly recorded Amanita taxa from India. Biodiversitas 17: 342-348. Du... more Singh Y, Kaur M. 2016. Four newly recorded Amanita taxa from India. Biodiversitas 17: 342-348. During the fungal foraysin district Himachal Pradesh of North Western India, four unrecorded taxa of Amanita were collected. They are Amanita flavoconia var.flavoconia, A. flavoconia var. inquinata, A. pilosella f. pilosella and A. porphyria. A. flavoconia var. flavoconia is distinctive in having abrilliant yellow to yellow orange cap, with white lamellae and a stipe base turning light brownish on injury. Whereas. A. flavoconia var.inquinata possesses brownish orange to yellowish orange to orange yellow, subvicid pileus, having white to pastel yellow stipe, annulusgrayish yellow, superior and volva forming broken rings of yellow patches around the bulb. A. pilosella f. pilosella unique in possessinggrayish brown or brownish beige pileus having thick irregular warts and white lamellae edges. A. porphyria is represented by nonstriatepileus margin, off white stipe, decorated with grayish squa...

A new species, Psathyrella fimicola, belonging to the family Psathyrellaceae Vilgalys, Moncalvo &... more A new species, Psathyrella fimicola, belonging to the family Psathyrellaceae Vilgalys, Moncalvo & Redhead, is described. It is found growing on horse dung from Patiala district of Punjab state. The new species is characterized by its medium sized carpophores having brownish yellow pileus with prominent floccose powdery veil, appendiculate pileus margin and white stipe which changes to brown where bruised.

Family Pluteaceae the “pink spored family” falls under order Agaricales. It includes 4 genera spr... more Family Pluteaceae the “pink spored family” falls under order Agaricales. It includes 4 genera spread over 346 species [7]. Presently, 30 species falling under 3 genera of this family, Pluteus,Volvariella and Volvopluteus, have been collected from various localities of North West India. Of these 7 species, 4 varieties are presented as new to science and while 11 are recorded for the first time from India. The genus Pluteus is defined by the presence of bilateral convergent trama and carpophore stipe lacking both the annulus and volva, while genus Volvariella has bilateral convergent trama with the stipe lacking an annulus, the genus Volvopluteus is a newly constructed genus on the basis of spore size more than 11 μm and stipe with volva and no annulus. The pluteoid mushrooms occur in abundance in the tropical region, they come up early in the monsoon season, mostly they are terrestrial, few are folicolous and lignicolous, only genus Volvariella was collected from coprophilous habitat. In the study area Volvariella bombycina, V. diplasia and Volvopluteus gloiocephalus are the other commonly hunted mushrooms from the wild for human consumption. These species are also being cultivated commercially. Their wild relatives are of common occurrence in North Western India. From the surveys it has become apparent that there is enough wild germplasm for utilization in strain improvement programme in paddy straw mushroom in study area. Various available wild species of Volvariella, namely V. bakeri, V. terastia, V. taylorii and V. cubensis, etc. possesses acceptable agronomic features with possibilities of introduction into cultivated commercial strains through breeding experiments.

Four species of Genus Psathyrella viz. Psathyrella naivashaiensis Pegler, P. longistriata (Murril... more Four species of Genus Psathyrella viz. Psathyrella naivashaiensis Pegler, P. longistriata (Murrill) Smith, P. obtusata (Fr.) Smith and P. pseudocandolleana Smith are taxonomically described and illustrated for the first time from India. One new variety of Psathyrella naivashaiensis Pegler var. macrospora var. nov. is here by reported as new to science.

Kaur A, Atri NS, Kaur M. 2014.Diversity of coprophilous species of Panaeolus (Psathyrellaceae, Ag... more Kaur A, Atri NS, Kaur M. 2014.Diversity of coprophilous species of Panaeolus (Psathyrellaceae, Agaricales) from Punjab, India. Biodiversitas 15: 115-130. An account of 16 Panaeolus species collected from a variety of coprophilous habitats of Punjab state in India is described and discussed. Out of these, P. alcidis, P. castaneifolius, P. papilionaceus var. parvisporus, P. tropicalis and P. venezolanus are new records for India while P. acuminatus, P. antillarum, P. ater, P. solidipes, and P. sphinctrinus are new reports for north India. Panaeolus subbalteatus and P. cyanescens are new records for Punjab state. A key to the taxa exploredis also provided.

Background The genus Russula is considered one of the most abundant and widely distributed ectomy... more Background The genus Russula is considered one of the most abundant and widely distributed ectomycorrhizal agaric genera and the Indian subcontinent is no exception to it. The members of this family are cosmopolitan and form an ectomycorrhizal association with a wide range of angiosperm and gymnosperm trees. Methods and Results Four new records of genus Russula viz., Russula pauriensis var. caulocystidii var. nov., Russula globispora, Russula cuprea and Russula laeta were collected from Narkanda, Himachal Pardesh, India. These were described and illustrated on the basis of morpho-anatomical characters as well as phylogentic analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) ribosomal DNA sequences. On the basis of gross taxonomic characterization Russula pauriensis var. caulocystidii var. nov. is proposed which is further confirmed through molecular taxonomy. Russula laeta, Russula globispora, Russula cuprea and Russula laeta is reported for the first time from India while Russula amethy...

Open Access Journal of Agricultural Research

The present study includes the comparative study of characteristic field ectomycorrhizae between ... more The present study includes the comparative study of characteristic field ectomycorrhizae between Tricholoma aurantium associated with Cedrus deodara and Tricholoma pardinum with Pinus wallichiana. The carpophores and their ectomycorrhizal morphotypes were collected under their respective host plants. These species were taxonomically identified as Tricholoma aurantium and Tricholoma pardinum. These species are unique in their characters such as Tricholoma aurantium is characterized by growing carpophore in ectomycorrhizal association with Cedrus deodara. Its pileus is yellow orange (4A8) with non-striate, involute margin. The lamellae changes from white to rusty brown, the stipe consists fluid like substance at surface with mycelium. The cystidial elements are frequently present in infected roots while rhizomorphs are not found. Tricholoma pardinum is characterized by tiger spotted scales covering the entire pileus, with unchanging flesh, interveined notched lamellae. It has been fou...

Mycosphere, 2015

Two species belonging to genus Gymnopilus P. Karst i.e. G. pampeanus (Speg.) Singer and G. russip... more Two species belonging to genus Gymnopilus P. Karst i.e. G. pampeanus (Speg.) Singer and G. russipes Pegler have been taxonomically described and illustrated for the first time from India and one species G. spectabilis (Weinm.) A.H. Sm. has been first time recorded from North India.

Journal of Mycology and Plant Pathology, 2012

Developments in Fungal Biology and Applied Mycology

Ever since the work on mushroom systematics started, it remained centred around conventional morp... more Ever since the work on mushroom systematics started, it remained centred around conventional morphology-based parameters. Over a period of time with the advancement of microscopic techniques, the use of internal anatomical details and other microscopic features including SEM details strengthened the taxonomic conclusions leading to the discovery of newer characters for supplementing the morphological features. Simultaneously, the importance of macrochemical and microchemical reactions in mushroom systematics has been emphasized along with the utility of chemotaxonomic and numerical taxonomic methods, although all such characters play a supplementary role in their taxonomic categorization. All such studies enabled the mushroom mycologists to reach right taxonomic conclusions. Towards the end of 1990s, there has been a rapid transformation from conventional morphology-based system to contemporary molecular phylogenetic system based on sequence analysis employing next-generation sequencing technology. Presently, the scientists are trying to understand the higher level of relationship among lamellate mushrooms and their non-lamellate relatives by sequencing gene coding for several specific non-coding ribosomal DNA regions such as ITS, nLSU, nSSU, mitochondrial non-coding gene like mtSSU and protein coding genes such as rpb1, rpb2, atp6, tef1. Of late the use of newer techniques to study mushroom taxonomy and to understand their phylogeny has started slowly picking up in India as well, which is a welcome step. Mushrooms exhibit immense variation of shape, texture, colour, smell, taste and have varied ecological preferences. In the present paper, the importance of morphological, anatomical, chemical, numerical and molecular aspects in the characterization of mushrooms on modern lines has been discussed.

Morphology of basidiospore surface in Basidiomycetes is used as an important taxonomic character.... more Morphology of basidiospore surface in Basidiomycetes is used as an important taxonomic character. Different types of ornamentations exist in basidiospores of Russulaceous mushrooms. Every species has its unique ornamentation and is used as key character to separate some closely aligned taxa in genus Lactarius, Lactifluus and Russula. To study the spore surface diversity Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) studies were conducted where basidiospores were mounted on a double sided adhesive tape pasted on a metallic specimen-stub and after gold plating, the material was scanned at different magnification in high vacuum mode to observe pattern of spore ornamentation. SEM studies were carried out with JSM6610LV GEOL scanning electron microscope in 51 taxa of russulaceous mushrooms collected from North-West Himalaya spread over three investigated genera (Lactarius, Lactifluus and Russula). On the basis of SEM studies spores with eight varied ornamentation type on their surface were document...

The present paper is an attempt to review and provide systematic information about the ecology, d... more The present paper is an attempt to review and provide systematic information about the ecology, diversity, distribution and human relevance of wild coprophilous mushrooms the world over. The information provided herein is derived from a study carried out in the state of Punjab in India and records contained in more than 125 authentic monographic publications and research articles throughout the world. During the survey from the years 2007 to 2011in Punjab state, a total number of 172 collections have been observed, growing as saprobes on dung of various domesticated and wild herbivorous animals in pastures, open areas, zoological parks, and on dung heaps along roadsides or along village ponds, etc. High coprophilous mushrooms' diversity has been established and a number of rare and sensitive species were recorded during the study. Also while analysing the relevant references related to coprophilous mushrooms and their ecological places it was noted that dung is an important subs...

A number of agarics were picked from the wild during the monsoon season from various localities o... more A number of agarics were picked from the wild during the monsoon season from various localities of Punjab. In the present paper two very interesting rough spored taxa belonging to Family Tricholomataceae Vilgalys, Moncalvo & Redhead are described. Of these Leucopaxillus brasiliensis (Rick) Singer & A.H. Sm . was found growing in fairy rings, while the carpophores of Leucopaxillus albissimus (Peck) Singer were scattered. All the two taxa are described taxonomically along with their field photographs and constitute first time reports from India.

India under PUN. Fungal forays were undertaken for the collection of species of genus Agaricus L.... more India under PUN. Fungal forays were undertaken for the collection of species of genus Agaricus L.: Fr. to various localities of Northwest India TAXANOMY falling in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir. The topography and Key to the identification of the 11 species of Agaricus namely climate of the investigated region favours good growth of A. porphyrocephallus F.H.Møller, A. subrutilescens mushrooms in general and Agaricus in particular during (Kauffman) Hotson & Stuntz, A. parvitigrinus Guinb. & monsoon season in these areas. The genus Agaricus is a fleshy Callac, A. silvaticus var. pallidus (F.H. Møller) F.H. Møller, A. lamellate agaricoid mushroom which belongs to family mealgaris var. obscuratus (Maire) Heinem, A. Agaricaceae under order Agaricales. Recent review on this rubribrunnescens Murrill,W.A, A. andrewii Freeman A.E.H, genus has documented more than 400 species world over A. blazei Murrill W.A, A. fuscovelatus Kerrigan R.W, A.

This paper gives an account of two Agrocybe species, viz. A. microspora and A. pediades collected... more This paper gives an account of two Agrocybe species, viz. A. microspora and A. pediades collected from coprophilous habitats of Punjab state. The taxonomic details of these taxa is given along with the drawings of their morphological and anatomical features. Agrocybe microspora forms a new record for India and A. pediades is being recorded for the first time from Punjab.

Amanita altusdenticulata sp. nov. and A. kedarnathensis sp. nov. are described as new to science ... more Amanita altusdenticulata sp. nov. and A. kedarnathensis sp. nov. are described as new to science from India. These two species fall under section Caesareae as they possess sulcate-striate pileus, a stipe with membranous annulus, a thick saccate volva and inamyloid basidiospores.

Two new coprophilous species of Panaeolus , namely P. cyanoannulatus and P. lepus–stercus , of fa... more Two new coprophilous species of Panaeolus , namely P. cyanoannulatus and P. lepus–stercus , of family Psathyrellaceae are described from Punjab, India. Panaeolus cyanoannulatus was collected on a mixed cow and horse dung heap from Hoshiarpur district and P. lepus–stercus was located growing scattered on rabbit pellets from Pathankot district of Punjab state in India. Panaeolus cyanoannulatus is a blue staining mushroom with annulate stipe while P. lepus–stercus is characterized by yellowish gray umbonate pileus, 2– and 4–spored basidia, limoniform hexagonal basidiospores, polymorphic chrysocystidia and absence of pileocystidia and clamp connections. In this paper, these two taxa are described, illustrated, and compared with similar species.

Eight new species presented are Calostoma areolatum collected in Wuyishan National Park (China), ... more Eight new species presented are Calostoma areolatum collected in Wuyishan National Park (China), Crinipellis bidens from Hubei Province (China), Lactifluus sainii from Himalayan India, Inocybe elata from Yunnan (China), Inocybe himalayensis from Pakistan. Specimens previously identified as Massalongia carnosa represent a new species, namely M. patagonica restricted to southern South America. Saprolegnia maragheica is a new oomycete species of fresh water in Maraghe (Iran). Uncispora wuzhishanensis is a new aquatic hyphomycete species. A type specimen of Raddetes turkestanicus was studied and based on this the new combination Conocybe turkestanica, is proposed. Argyranthemum frutescens is a new host for Alternaria alternata and Syzygium cumini for Phyllosticta capitalensis in India. Crepidotus ehrendorferi is confirmed for Hungary and Pluteus leucoborealis for Central Europe, and for the phytogeographical region of Carpaticum. Pseudopithomyces palmicola is shown to occur on grapevine...

Biodiversitas, Journal of Biological Diversity, 2016

Singh Y, Kaur M. 2016. Four newly recorded Amanita taxa from India. Biodiversitas 17: 342-348. Du... more Singh Y, Kaur M. 2016. Four newly recorded Amanita taxa from India. Biodiversitas 17: 342-348. During the fungal foraysin district Himachal Pradesh of North Western India, four unrecorded taxa of Amanita were collected. They are Amanita flavoconia var.flavoconia, A. flavoconia var. inquinata, A. pilosella f. pilosella and A. porphyria. A. flavoconia var. flavoconia is distinctive in having abrilliant yellow to yellow orange cap, with white lamellae and a stipe base turning light brownish on injury. Whereas. A. flavoconia var.inquinata possesses brownish orange to yellowish orange to orange yellow, subvicid pileus, having white to pastel yellow stipe, annulusgrayish yellow, superior and volva forming broken rings of yellow patches around the bulb. A. pilosella f. pilosella unique in possessinggrayish brown or brownish beige pileus having thick irregular warts and white lamellae edges. A. porphyria is represented by nonstriatepileus margin, off white stipe, decorated with grayish squa...

A new species, Psathyrella fimicola, belonging to the family Psathyrellaceae Vilgalys, Moncalvo &... more A new species, Psathyrella fimicola, belonging to the family Psathyrellaceae Vilgalys, Moncalvo & Redhead, is described. It is found growing on horse dung from Patiala district of Punjab state. The new species is characterized by its medium sized carpophores having brownish yellow pileus with prominent floccose powdery veil, appendiculate pileus margin and white stipe which changes to brown where bruised.

Family Pluteaceae the “pink spored family” falls under order Agaricales. It includes 4 genera spr... more Family Pluteaceae the “pink spored family” falls under order Agaricales. It includes 4 genera spread over 346 species [7]. Presently, 30 species falling under 3 genera of this family, Pluteus,Volvariella and Volvopluteus, have been collected from various localities of North West India. Of these 7 species, 4 varieties are presented as new to science and while 11 are recorded for the first time from India. The genus Pluteus is defined by the presence of bilateral convergent trama and carpophore stipe lacking both the annulus and volva, while genus Volvariella has bilateral convergent trama with the stipe lacking an annulus, the genus Volvopluteus is a newly constructed genus on the basis of spore size more than 11 μm and stipe with volva and no annulus. The pluteoid mushrooms occur in abundance in the tropical region, they come up early in the monsoon season, mostly they are terrestrial, few are folicolous and lignicolous, only genus Volvariella was collected from coprophilous habitat. In the study area Volvariella bombycina, V. diplasia and Volvopluteus gloiocephalus are the other commonly hunted mushrooms from the wild for human consumption. These species are also being cultivated commercially. Their wild relatives are of common occurrence in North Western India. From the surveys it has become apparent that there is enough wild germplasm for utilization in strain improvement programme in paddy straw mushroom in study area. Various available wild species of Volvariella, namely V. bakeri, V. terastia, V. taylorii and V. cubensis, etc. possesses acceptable agronomic features with possibilities of introduction into cultivated commercial strains through breeding experiments.

Four species of Genus Psathyrella viz. Psathyrella naivashaiensis Pegler, P. longistriata (Murril... more Four species of Genus Psathyrella viz. Psathyrella naivashaiensis Pegler, P. longistriata (Murrill) Smith, P. obtusata (Fr.) Smith and P. pseudocandolleana Smith are taxonomically described and illustrated for the first time from India. One new variety of Psathyrella naivashaiensis Pegler var. macrospora var. nov. is here by reported as new to science.

Kaur A, Atri NS, Kaur M. 2014.Diversity of coprophilous species of Panaeolus (Psathyrellaceae, Ag... more Kaur A, Atri NS, Kaur M. 2014.Diversity of coprophilous species of Panaeolus (Psathyrellaceae, Agaricales) from Punjab, India. Biodiversitas 15: 115-130. An account of 16 Panaeolus species collected from a variety of coprophilous habitats of Punjab state in India is described and discussed. Out of these, P. alcidis, P. castaneifolius, P. papilionaceus var. parvisporus, P. tropicalis and P. venezolanus are new records for India while P. acuminatus, P. antillarum, P. ater, P. solidipes, and P. sphinctrinus are new reports for north India. Panaeolus subbalteatus and P. cyanescens are new records for Punjab state. A key to the taxa exploredis also provided.