Fahim Ullah

Macrofungi play vital ecological roles as mutualists, indicators of environmental health and decomposers; however, their diversity remains underexplored in many regions of Pakistan. This study aimed to document the species richness, ecological distribution, and edibility status of wild mushrooms in District Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Field surveys were conducted from October 2022 to August 2023 across 19 urban and rural locations. A total of 52 species belonging to 34 genera and 16 families were identified based on macroscopic characteristics and field guides. The family Agaricaceae was the most dominant, followed by Psathyrellaceae and Bolbitiaceae. Edibility assessments revealed that 29 species were edible, while 22 were non-edible or potentially toxic. Seasonal variation significantly impacted species distribution, with the majority appearing post-rainfall during spring and early summer. Specific soil pH and habitat conditions also influenced the occurrence of certain species. This research adds valuable taxonomic and ecological data to Pakistan’s fungal records and highlights the importance of preserving macrofungal diversity in relation to ecosystem functioning and sustainable use.

Coprinellus gregariodiguttulatus is described as a new species from Quaid‐i‐Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan, based on morphological and molecular analyses. The species is distinguished by its small gray to light gray basidiomata, paraboloid to hemispherical pileus, and oblong to obovoid or rarely lemon basidiospores. Phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region supports its placement within Coprinellus sect. Disseminati is a distinct lineage, closely related to but separate from other known taxa. This discovery from an underexplored region highlights the potential for uncovering further novel fungal diversity in Pakistan.

A novel species, Leucocoprinus aurantiopileus , is described from Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad, Pakistan, using an integrated approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on combined internal transcribed spacer and large subunit sequences confirm its placement within Leucocoprinus . L. aurantiopileus is distinguished by a conical to campanulate, subumbonate to umbonate pileus, dark red center, and light orange margins, along with subcylindrical to oblong basidiospores. We provide detailed descriptions, colored photographs, microscopic structures, and a phylogenetic tree. This discovery highlights the mycological diversity of Margalla Hills and emphasizes the need for further fungal exploration in the region.

In this article, we describe a new fungal species, Leucocoprinus roseus , collected in Canal View Park, District Mandi Bahauddin, Punjab, Pakistan. The species is proposed as new based on detailed morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analysis using nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) sequences. In a phylogenetic reconstruction, L. roseus forms a distinct clade clearly separated from related taxa. It is characterized by small basidiomata, a plano‐convex pileus with dark red center becoming pale reddish toward the margins, center covered with squarrose scales, broadly ellipsoid amygdaliform basidiospores and versiform cheilocystidia. A comprehensive description, illustrations, and results of the phylogenetic analysis are provided, along with a comparison with morphologically and genetically related species.

This research article deals with the antioxidant, antifungal and antibacterial efficacy of endophytic fungi belonging to genus Aspergillus isolated from the roots, leaves, flowers and fruits of Solanum surattense. We have identified four different species using universal barcode marker (ITS1 and ITS4). Isolated strains of A. fumigatus (E1) A. fumigatus (E3) A. flavus (E2) A. terreus (E4) and A. niger (E5) had strong antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumonia and strong antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum, Candida albicans and Penicillium chrysogenum. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the broad stretching of carboxylic acid, aliphatic primary amine and hydroxyl groups. Quantitative analysis of the ethyl acetate extracts revealed the occurrence of flavonoids and phenols. Due to secreting the bioactive compounds E1, E2, E4 and E5 play important role against plant pathogens. Furthermore, antioxidant potential and antimicrobial activity of the isolates suggests its use in agriculture and pharmaceutical industry.

In this article we describe a new species, Hymenagaricus quaidazamianus from Quaid-I-Azam, University, Islamabad, Pakistan. The species has been established as a new taxon through molecular phylogenetic analysis of the ITS region of nrDNA and comparison of its micro- and macroscopic characters with other taxa in the genus. The new species forms a separate independent clade in the phylogenetic tree that support its uniqueness. It is distinguished morphologically by its typically hemispheric, convex to plano-convex and rarely plano-concave pileus at young and mature stages respectively with a dull brown center and greyish-white margins. A detailed comparison with the closely related taxa has been provided.

This research presents an analytical investigation of Macro-fungi found in district Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The aim of the study was to examine species diversity and community structure of Macro-fungi in relation to climatic, topographical and edaphic factors. A year-long survey was conducted in 2022-24 across a variety of ecological settings, including plains and mountainous terrains, during different seasons. The study identified 66 wild mushroom species belonging to 31 families, with Agaricaceae being the most dominant, representing 30% of the collected species. To elucidate ecological relationships and environmental influences on mushroom distribution, statistical techniques such as cluster analysis, canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) were performed using PC-ORD and CANOCO software. The findings provide valuable insights for environmental conservation, sustainable harvesting practices, and maximizing the nutritional and commercial potential of wild mushrooms.

Crinipellis graminea is described as a new fungal species from the Hasilpur Forest, southern Punjab, Pakistan. The species is distinctively characterized by its pulvinate to plano-convex pileus with an orange center and a radially fibrillose to wrinkled surface, rarely obovoid basidiospores (3.4–7 × 2–3.8 µm), narrowly clavate to narrowly lageniform cheilocystidia, and elongate clavate pleurocystidia with pointed tips. Molecular analyses involved sequencing both ITS and 28S rDNA regions, with phylogenetic trees constructed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. These analyses confirmed that C. graminea forms a distinct clade. The integration of morpho-anatomical and molecular data robustly supports its taxonomic status as a new species. This study advocates for continued exploration and documentation of fungal species in this underrepresented region, essential for a more comprehensive understanding of regional and global fungal diversity.