Inventory of Agaricomycetidae and Phallomycetidae under different conservation strategies by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service at Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico Refuge

Abstract

Gasteromycetes, commonly known as puffballs, are an informal group of Basidiomycetes with a polyphyletic origin and since 2014 included in the sub-classes Agaricomycetidae and Phallomycetidae. These fungi are characterized mainly by enclosed fruiting bodies with a gleba that stores spores until maturity. In Puerto Rico, there is no official inventory of Gasteromycetes and to fulfill this need, a study was conducted within five different areas at the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. Specimens were collected during twenty-eight fieldtrips between January 2016 and July 2017 from Cartagena Lagoon, Tinaja Tract, Turpial Path, Pond of Frogs and Pole Ojea. Geastrum, Scleroderma, Rhizopogon, Bovista, Calvatia, Cyathus and Lycoperdon were among the Gasteromycetes collected.

Los Gasteromycetes, comúnmente llamados “puffballs”, son un grupo informal de Basidiomicetos de origen polifilético los cuales desde el 2014 se incluyen en las subclases Agaricomycetidae y Phallomycetidae. Estos hongos se caracterizan por tener cuerpos fructíferos cerrados con glebas en las cuales almacenan esporas hasta alcanzar la madurez. Puerto Rico no tiene un inventario oficial de Gasteromicetos y para llenar esa necesidad se estudiaron cinco áreas del Refugio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre en Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. Los especímenes fueron colectados durante veintiocho viajes de campo entre enero 2016 a julio 2017 en las localidades de laguna Cartagena, Tinaja, Turpial, Posa los sapos y Pole Ojea. Geastrum, Scleroderma, Rhizopogon, Bovista, Calvatia, Cyathus y Lycoperdon están entre los Gasteromicetes reportados periódicamente.