New Fungus Species Named After Kolhapur

Key facts

• A new polypore fungus species, Microporellus kolhapurensis, was discovered in Bhudargad taluka, Kolhapur district, Maharashtra.
• The species was found on rotting wood in the Bediv area on the Ajra border by Dr Anjali Patil and research scholar Yogesh Patil of Rajaram College.
• The saprotrophic fungus decomposes dead organic matter, playing a key role in nutrient recycling in forests.
• Microporellus kolhapurensis fruits from July to September, grows singly, and features an umbrella-shaped structure, lateral stalk, large pores, teardrop-shaped spores, and thick-walled cystidia.
• Only one other Microporellus species, Microporellus obovatus, was previously recorded from Maharashtra, making this a significant addition to fungal research.
• The discovery was published in Nelumbo, the research journal of the Botanical Survey of India, highlighting the biodiversity of the Western Ghats.